PORTOROZ, August 5, 2018

With main draw action starting on Monday at the Zavaraovalnica Sava Slovenia Open, eight players advanced to the final stage of the qualifying. On a sunny and hot Sunday in Portoroz, top-ranked Christopher Heyman fought past Nikola Cacic of Serbia 6-1, 5-7, 6-4.

The World No. 311 from Belgium broke his opponent’s serve three times to prevail in just under two hours of play. Heyman will next face Markus Eriksson of Sweden, who rallied past Slovenian wild card entry Anze Arh 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 in two hours and 46 minutes.

Frederik Nielsen of Denmark eased past No. 2 seed Andrea Pellegrino of Italy 6-0, 6-0. The 34-year-old, who clinched the doubles title at Wimbledon six years ago, finished the encounter in only 43 minutes. Nielsen will now play Albano Olivetti of France for a spot in the main draw.

David Poljak from the Czech Republic knocked off No. 3 seeded Frenchman Antoine Escoffier 7-5, 6-4. The 22-year-old from Ostrava struck six aces, winning 84 per cent of his first service points to secure victory in one hour and 41 minutes. Next up for Poljak will be Altug Celikbilek of Turkey.

Aslan Karatsev beat Sadio Doumbia of France 6-4, 6-3. The 24-year-old Russian will take on Frenchman Enzo Coucaud, who edged out Tomas Lipovsek Puches of Argentina 6-1, 6-4.

Photo Gallery (by Florian Heer):