BRESCIA, November 17, 2015
The first round matches at the € 42,500 ATP Challenger in Brescia concluded on Tuesday when top seed Sergiy Stakhovsky defeated Francesco Borgo, winning 6-4, 7-5. The world number 62 from the Ukraine won 70% of his first service points and capitalized on three of his five break point chances to prevail in 70 minutes.
Stakhovsky will meet Igor Sijsling next. The 28-year-old Dutch beat Kevin Krawietz, winning 6-2, 7-5 in 58 minutes.
Fifth seed Benjamin Becker, who finished runner-up at the ATP Challenger in Eckental two weeks ago, emerged victorious from the all-German-affair with Daniel Brands. The world number 96 withstood 15 aces from his compatriot, firing 19 on his own to seal a 6-7, 6-4, 6-4 victory in one hour and 45 minutes.
“It’s always tough to play against good friend, in particular on this service, as Daniel served really well today. It was really difficult to find into the game. When I broke him in the second set, this was the turning point. I started to read his service better and returned better. I gained an early break in the third set, which helped me to finish the match,” told Becker, who will face Luca Vanni for the first time next.
“I do not know how he plays. I think he also serves big and he had a great year. It will be a tough match for me, as he also plays at home here in Italy,” the German said and enjoys the fast surface in Brescia.
“I really like the conditions here. The courts are very slow now on the ATP Tour all year round and I think that there should be more variety. Surfaces should change a little bit,” Becker stated.
Italian qualifier Roberto Marcora ousted the tournament’s number four Dudi Sela, winning 6-3, 3-6, 6-3. The 26-year-old from Milano saved five of the eight break points he faced and converted three of his own to prevail in one hour and 50 minutes. Marcora takes on Norbert Gombos in the second round.
Egor Gerasimov, who captured his maiden Challenger title in Bratislava last Sunday, lost his opening match 6-7, 6-7 to Marco Chiudinelli. The Swiss qualifier won 79% of his first service points and broke his opponent once to advance after one hour and 49 minutes. Chiudinelli will play against Michael Berrer next. The seventh seeded German defeated Aleksandr Nedovyesov 7-6, 4-6, 7-6 in two hours and 17 minutes.
