CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, August 3, 2016

The first round of the €42,500 ATP Challenger in Cortina concluded on Wednesday at the local Tennis Country Club. Second seed Inigo Cervantes fell to Joao Souza, losing two tie-breaks 3-7, 4-7. The 28-year-old from Brazil fired eight aces, winning 78% of his first service points to prevail in one hour and 54 minutes. Souza will next face French qualifier Calvin Hemery. The 21-year-old from Paris defeated Andrea Arnaboldi 6-4, 6-4.

Fifth favourite Roberto Carballés-Baena edged past Germany’s Daniel Brands. The 23-year-old Spaniard saved all five break points he faced, converting two of his own to reach the second round after one hour and 27 minutes. He will square off with Andrea Collarini. The Argentine emerged victorious from the battle of the qualifiers with Gianluigi Quinzi, winning 7-6, 7-6 in two hours and 11 minutes.

The Russians closed the day with mixed feelings. Only 18-year-old Andrey Rublev fought past Croatian qualifier Viktor Galovic 7-6, 7-6. Rublev withstood 16 aces, hitting six of his own to advance in one hour and 16 minutes. The teenager from Moscow will next take on Lorenzo Sonego. The 21-year-old Torino native, who entered the main draw with a wild card, knocked out sixth seed Renzo Olivo 7-5, 6-4.

Next Generation star Karen Khachanov, however, lost his second round match to Lorenzo Giustino 3-6, 3-6. The 24-year-old Italian saved the only break point he faced, capitalizing on three of his own to finish the encounter in one hour and 14 minutes. Giustino will play the tournament’s number eight Guido Andreozzi. The Argentine beat last Sunday’s Challenger champion from Biella Federico Gaio 6-2, 6-4.

Nicolas Jarry and Gonzalo Lama ended an eight match win streak of the Dutch doubles combination of Wesley Koolhof and Matwe Middelkoop, winning 3-6, 7-6, 10-4. The latter captured two titles in a row, lifting the trophies at the ATP 250 event in Kitzbühel followed by an ATP Challenger title in Scheveningen last week.

Cortina Challenger in Spotlight: