KITZBÜHEL, September 10, 2020
Marc-Andrea Huesler has advanced to his first quarterfinal on the ATP Tour. The Swiss qualifier knocked out Fabio Fognini of Italy, the top seed of the Generali Open, winning 6-1, 6-2 on Thursday afternoon in Kitzbühel.
Huesler saved all three break points he faced against 2017 semi-finalist Fognini, who was competing for the first time since having arthroscopic surgery on both ankles in May. The 24-year-old World No.303, who clinched his maiden title on the ATP Challenger Tour at San Luis Potosi in Mexico last year, will next take on Spanish veteran Feliciano Lopez. The 38-year-old fired 21 aces and won 92 per cent of first-serve points to outlast seventh seeded Argentine Guido Pella 7-5, 6-7(4), 7-6(3).
Everyday I’m Hueslin’ 🤘
Marc-Andrea Huesler scores an upset over top seed Fognini, coming through 6-1 6-2 at the #GeneraliOpen pic.twitter.com/6VxVEiSbwf
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) September 10, 2020
Earlier in the day, Yannick Hanfmann rallied past No. 3 seed Dusan Lajovic of Serbia. The German qualifier, winner of the Citta di Todi Challenger in Italy two weeks ago, capitalized on four of his seven break point chances to secure a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory in two hours and 20 minutes. Appearing in the stage of the last eight for the first time since 2017 Gstaad, Hanfmann will face compatriot Maximilian Marterer. Both players practice at the TennisBase Oberhaching near Munich. Marterer, who also battled through the qualifying, overcame fifth seed Hubert Hurkacz of Poland, 6-1, 6-4.
The highest-ranked player left in the singles draw is second seed Diego Schwartzman. The 28-year-old from Argentina fought past local wild card Sebastian Ofner 6-2, 2-6, 7-5 in two hours and 16 minutes. Schwartzman outpointed his opponent 92-88 after two hours and 13 minutes.
“It was difficult for both of us, too many mistakes in the first set,” said Schwartzman, who next plays Laslo Djere of Serbia. “But I got lucky at the end and I’ve very happy to be in the next round. I’m trying to get my confidence back after a difficult US swing.”
Qualifier Djere defeated Italian wild card entry and reigning NextGen ATP Finals champion Jannik Sinner 6-4, 6-4. The encounter lasted one hour and 19 minutes.
“I played here once and I generally play well at altitude,” said Djere, in an on-court interview. “Yesterday was tough 0-4 down against Albert [Ramos-Vinolas], and I recovered today to play well from the beginning. It was definitely an advantage in the first round to be a qualifier, having played matches.”
In the remaining quarterfinal match in Kitzbühel, Argentine qualifier Federico Delbonis will play Miomir Kecmanovic of Serbia.
