POZOBLANCO/STARNBERG, July 16, 2026
Alejo Sanchez Quilez secured a place in the quarterfinals of the ATP Challenger 75 Open Ciudad de Pozoblanco Covap, guaranteeing Spanish representation in the last eight of the tournament, which runs until Sunday in Pozoblanco, Andalucia.
The 21-year-old from Calatayud matched the best ATP Challenger result of his career—having also reached the quarterfinals in Menorca—with an impressive 6-4, 6-2 victory over Turkey’s Yanki Erel, who had stunned third seed Luka Pavlovic in the opening round.
Sanchez Quilez showed resilience throughout the opening set, recovering from two early service breaks before taking control with consistent baseline play. Erel made another strong start to the second set, racing into a 2-0 lead, but the Turkish player was clearly hampered by a minor muscular problem that required treatment. Unable to move freely, Erel shortened the rallies, allowing the Spaniard to dominate the closing stages and reel off the final six games of the match.
Top seed Chris Rodesch also progressed to the quarterfinals, although not without another tough test. The Luxembourg looked in complete control early on, breaking twice to claim the opening set 6-1 against France’s Paul Inchauspe.
However, Inchauspe raised his level dramatically in the second set, putting constant pressure on Rodesch’s serve and earning three set points at 5-4. The top seed survived the danger, forced a tie-break and eventually sealed a 6-1, 7-6(4) victory to continue his title bid.
The remaining two matches both went the distance. Portugal’s Tiago Pereira, a semi-finalist in Pozoblanco last year, once again produced some of his best tennis at the tournament. He came from a set down to defeat seventh seed Yi Zhou of China 5-7, 7-6(6), 6-3 after two hours and 46 minutes, despite being close to defeat late in the second set.
Fifth seed Oliver Crawford also needed three sets to overcome rising Bulgarian talent Ivan Ivanov. The Briton dominated the opening set 6-0, but the reigning 2025 Wimbledon and US Open boys’ champion responded brilliantly to level the match. Ivanov stayed with Crawford throughout the deciding set before the British player finally earned the decisive break in the final game to complete a hard-fought 6-0, 4-6, 7-5 victory after two hours and 14 minutes.
WEDNESDAY RESULTS
Singles – Second Round
Alejo Sánchez Quílez (ESP) def. Yanki Erel (TUR) 6-4, 6-2
Chris Rodesch (LUX) def. Paul Inchauspe (FRA) 6-1, 7-6(4)
Tiago Pereira (POR) def. Yi Zhou (CHN) 5-7, 7-6(6), 6-3
Oliver Crawford (GBR) def. Ivan Ivanov (BUL) 6-0, 4-6, 7-5
