ORTISEI, November 10, 2016

The second round of the €64,000 Sparkassen ATP Challenger Val Gardena concluded on Thursday with third seed Alessandro Giannessi making his way into the stage of the final eight in Ortisei. The world number 140 from Italy fought past Spaniard Adrian Menéndez-Maceiras, winning 7-6, 6-7, 6-1.

Giannessi fired 10 aces and broke his opponent’s serve three times to seal victory in two hours and five minutes. “I had the chance to close the match out in straight sets but Adrian played a good tie-break. I am looking forward to the next match,” told the 26-year-old from La Spezia.

Salvatore Caruso (photo: Marco Wanker)

He will next face compatriot Salvatore Caruso. The world number 294 entered the main draw with a wild card and fought past Jeremy Jahn from Germany, winning 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 in just under two hours of play. Caruso had to save two match points in the 12th game of the decider.

“This was the decisive game of the match,” he told aftwards. “I had a good start but Jeremy improved throughout the encounter.”

Fourth seed Mirza Basic ended the winning streak of French qualifier Yannick Jankovits, rallying 2-6, 6-1, 6-3. The world number 158 from Bosnia and Herzegovina sent down seven aces and capitalized on five of his six break point chances to reach the quarterfinals after one hour and 19 minutes.

Next up for Basic will be Stefano Napolitano. The 21-year-old Biella native beat Albano Olivetto of France 7-6, 6-3. Napolitano saved both break points he faced, converting one of his own to seal victory in one hour and 20 minutes. For the first time in the tournament’s history, with Lorenzo Sonego, Federico Gaio, Alessandro Giannessi, Salvatore Caruso and Stefano Napolitano, five Italians reach the quarterfinals, taking place on Friday.