ROME, September 27, 2016

The first round of the € 42,5000 BFD Energy Challenger in Rome concluded on Tuesday. It is the second ATP Challenger event taking place in Italy’s capital this season. For the second time the tournament is held at the Due Ponti Sporting Club, located in the North of Rome.

Top seed Robin Haase, who lifted his 13th Challenger trophy at the Sibiu Open last Sunday, opened his next title bid with a 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory over Steven Diez from Canada. The world number 65 from the Netherlands sent down six aces, winning 76 per cent of his first service points to prevail in two hours and nine minutes. Haase will next take on Davide Pontoglio. The Italian wild card ranked world number 1857 upset Bastian Trinker in his very first ATP Challenger main draw match.

Another Dutch player was less successful, as Filippo Volandri knocked out the tournament’s number six Thiemo de Bakker. The Italian veteran won 6-2, 6-3 in 69 minutes to set a second round meeting with Swedish teenager Elias Ymer.

Fourth seed Daniel Gimeno-Traver defeated Austrian qualifier Gibril Diarra 7-6, 6-4. The world number 116 from Spain won 85 per cent of his first service points, breaking his opponent three times to seal victory in one hour and 42 minutes. Gimeno-Traver will next play Tristan Lamasine of France.

Fifth favourite Andrej Martin fought past Serbian Laslo Djere 6-3, 1-6, 6-4. The 27-year-old from Slovakia converted six of his 13 break point opportunities to advance in two hours and 28 minutes. Next up for Martin will be Christian Garin from Chile.