#NextGenATP Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime earned his second tour-level win on Tuesday, beating Andrej Martin 6-3, 6-3 at the Plava Laguna Croatia Open Umag.
The 17-year-old Montreal native, who recorded his first tour-level victory against Vasek Pospisil at the BNP Paribas Open, converted four of six break-point chances and won 60 per cent of second-serve return points to set a meeting with defending champion and 2017 Next Gen ATP Finals runner-up Andrey Rublev. Fourth-seeded Rublev is making his first return to action after a three-month injury absence, dating back to the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters.
Marton Fucsovics snapped a three-match losing streak to upset eighth seed Benoit Paire 6-1, 6-3 in 74 minutes. The Banque Eric Sturdza Geneva Open titlist created 10 break-point opportunities, converting seven, en route to victory. Fucsovics, now 15-14 this season, will next face qualifier Marco Trungelliti or wild card Franko Skugor for a quarter-final spot.
Robin Haase made a successful return to Umag, coming from a set down to beat Brazilian Rogerio Dutra Silva 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 in two hours and seven minutes.
Haase, who last appeared at the Croatian event in 2011, landed 10 aces and won 68 per cent of service points to set a second-round meeting against Martin Klizan or Nicolas Jarry. The 31-year-old is bidding to reach the quarter-finals for the first time, having lost at the second-round stage on both his previous visits.
Maximilian Marterer rallied from a set down to beat Croatian wild card Nino Serdarusic 3-6, 7-5, 6-3. The BMW Open by FWU semi-finalist fired nine aces and did not face a break point after dropping the first set. The German, seeded ninth, will meet Laslo Djere in the second round. Djere overcame 2014 champion Pablo Cuevas 6-4, 1-6, 6-3 on Monday.
Did You Know?
Carlos Moya is the most successful player in Plava Laguna Croatia Open Umag history. The Spaniard won five titles at the event between 1996 and 2007, including three consecutive triumphs from 2001 to 2003.
Be the first to comment