ROME, September 28, 2016
Three seeds of the €42,500 BFD Challenger, held at the Due Ponti Sporting Club in Rome, were in second round action on Wednesday. The tournament’s number three Aljaz Bedene defeated Federico Gaio 6-0, 4-6, 6-2.
In the bottom half of the draw, the world number 82 from Great Britain sent down 11 aces, winning 83 per cent of his first service points to advance in one hour and 30 minutes.
Next up for Bedene will be Jan Satral. The 26-year-old from the Czech Republic knocked out seventh seed Ruben Ramirez-Hidalgo 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 in just under two hours of play.
Eighth favourite Marton Fucsocvics eased past Italian wild card Gianluca Mager 6-0, 6-3. The world number 151 from Hungary saved two of the three break points he faced, converting five of his own to set a quarterfinal meeting with Mikael Ymer. The only 18-year-old Swedish qualifier ousted Andrea Arnaboldi of Italy 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 in two hours and 41 minutes to reach the stage of the final eight for the first time at Challenger level.