ORTISEI, October 12, 2017

Two German qualifiers headlined Thursday’s second round action at the €64,000 Sparkasse Challenger Val Gardena held at the Tennis Club Ortisei. Marc Sieber rallied from a set down to overcome sixth seed Dustin Brown 2-6, 7-6, 7-6.

The 29-year-old leftie from Munich withstood 29 aces, hitting eight of his own to prevail without breaking Brown’s serve after one hour and 30 minutes. Sieber will appear in his only fourth quarterfinal at ATP Challenger level, his first since Meerbusch in August last year, to face the tournament’s number four Pierre-Hugues Herbert of France.

Tim Pütz fought past eighth favourite Sebastian Ofner from Austria 6-3, 6-7, 6-2. The 29-year-old Frankfurt native saved all six break points he faced, converting four of his own to secure victory in one hour and 49 minutes. Pütz advanced to the stage of the final eight for the second time this season, challenging Viktor Galovic next. The World No. 234 from Croatia beat Italian lucky loser Andrea Arnaboldi 6-4, 6-3.

Later in the day, local hero Andreas Seppi booked his place in the quarterfinals with a 6-7, 6-4, 6-4 win over fellow Italian Salvatore Caruso. The World No. 85 from Bolzano sent down 17 aces, winning 83 per cent of his first service points to finish the encounter after two hours and 22 minutes. Seppi will next meet Matteo Donati of Italy.