BRAUNSCHWEIG, July 5, 2016

The top seeds of the €106,500 Sparkassen Open opened their title bid on Monday in Braunschweig. The tournament’s number one Thomaz Bellucci ousted German wild card Andreas Beck 6-3, 6-2. The world number 62 lost his service once but capitalized on four of his own break point opportunities to finish the encounter after one hour and 12 minutes. Bellucci, who captured the title in Braunschweig in 2012, will next face Croatian qualifier Mate Pavic, who beat Michael Berrer 6-3, 7-6.

Second seed Inigo Cervantes defeated Slovakian lucky loser Norbert Gombos 6-4, 6-4. The Slovakian replaced Franco Skugor, who pulled out due to sickness. Cervantes sent down five aces, winning 79% of his first service points to advance in one hour and 14 minutes. The world number 75 from Spain will next play Axel Michon from France.

Neckar Cup champion Nikoloz Basilashvili set a second round clash with NextGen star Karen Khachanov. The 24-year-old from Georgia rallied 1-6, 6-2, 6-1 to overcome Igor Sijsling. Basilashvili converted five of his eight break point chances to prevail in 57 minutes.

Nils Langer is one of six Germans, who found their way into the second round. The 26-year-old from Ludwigsburg upset fifth seed Leonardo Mayer, winning 6-4, 6-4. Langer saved the only break point he faced, capitalizing on two of his own to advance in one hour and 27 minutes.

“I am very pleased with my performance. I just feel comfortable here in Braunschweig,” told Langer, who will face Teymuraz Gabashvili next.

Langer will be joined by his compatriots Mischa Zverev, who will square off with seventh seed Facundo Bagnis, Florian Mayer, who is playing Tobias Kamke, Cedric-Marcel Stebe, who takes on Radu Albot, as well as Jan-Lennard Struff, who will clash with Taro Daniel.