POTCHEFSTROOM, March 11, 2020
Top seed Benjamin Bonzi from France opened his title bid at the Potch Open in Potchefstroom on Wednesday with a 7-5, 6-2 win over compatriot Matteo Martineau to reach the second round of the very first ATP Challenger 50 event.
The World No. 241 from Nimes was solid on his first serve, winning 80 per cent of the points. Bonzi didn’t face a break point and capitalized on all of his three own break point chances to advance after one hour and eight minutes. Up next for the 23-year-old will be Sidharth Rawat of India.
Second seed Hugo Grenier of France overcame a first-set wobble to beat Dutch qualifier Mick Veldheer 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 in two hours and four minutes. Grenier will next take on Lucas Miedler of Austria
South African top junior Khololwam Montsi gave his best against fifth seed Evgeny Karlovskiy of Russia but the 17-year-old from Cape Town eventually lost in three sets. Karlovskiy fired 12 aces and broke the teenager’s serve four times to seal a 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 victory in one hour and 51 minutes. The 25-year-old Moscow native will next face Frenchman Sadio Doumbia.
First Round Results:
Singles
Potch Open – ATP Challenger 50
[1] Benjamin Bonzi (FRA) bt Matteo Martineau (FRA) 7-5 6-2
[2] Hugo Grenier (FRA) bt [Q] Mick Veldheer (NED) 2-6 6-4 6-2
[Q] Mehluli Sibanda (ZIM) bt [3] Pedja Krstin (SRB) 6-1 4-2 (RET)
[5] Evgeny Karlovskiy (RUS) bt [WC] Kholo Montsi (RSA) 6-2 5-7 6-2
[6] Daniel Masur (GER) bt Yshai Oliel (ISR) 7-5 6-4
Jack Draper (GER) bt [7] Roberto Ortega-Olmedo (ESP) 7-5 6-3
Davis Pichler (AUT) bt [Q] Jean Thirouin (FRA) 6-2 6-3
Benjamin Lock (ZIM) bt [Q] Sebastian Prechtel (GER) 7-6(4) 6-1
[Q] Fabien Reboul (FRA) bt [WC] Gerhardt Becker (RSA) 6-3 6-3
Tobias Simon (GER) bt Adam Moundir (MAR) 7-5 6-3
Sadhardth Rawat (IND) bt Danylo Kalenichenko (UKR) 5-7 6-3 6-2
Edan Leshem (ISR) bt [Q] Fabrizio Ornago (ITA) 6-1 3-6 6-2
