A TRIO of ATP 250 tournaments have begun this week, with Qatar and Marseille hosting hardcourt competitions, whilst the clay season has begun in Chile. The opening day at each tournament has not provided too much to be shocked about, although a couple of early seeds falling has certainly set the tone.

At Qatar, just the one seed competed on Day 1 as Roberto Bautista Agut took on Reilly Opelka, coming away with the 4-6 6-3 6-4 victory in just over two hours. Meanwhile, Nikoloz Basilashvili overcame a shocking start against Australian John Millman to dispose of the higher ranked player – by one ranking place – 2-6 6-4 6-2 in one hour and 52 minutes. The remaining four matches of the day played out in straight sets, though just one played out to the same degree as the former two as Taylor Fritz overcame a tough Lorenzo Sonego for a 7-6 6-4 victory in one hour and 57 minutes. Meanwhile, wildcard Aslan Karatsev came away with the quickest victory of the day in 65 minutes over Qatar wildcard Mubarak Shannan Zayid 6-4 6-0, as Richard Gasquet and Alexander Bublik also joined the Day 1 winners circle.

QATAR OPEN ROUND OF 32 RESULTS:

[5] Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) defeated Reilly Opelka (USA) 4-6 6-3 6-4
Nikoloz Basilashvili (GEO) defeated John Millman (AUS) 2-6 6-4 6-2
Alexander Bublik (KAZ) defeated [Q] Ramkumar Ramanathan (IND) 6-4 6-2
Taylor Fritz (USA) defeated Lorenzo Sonego (ITA) 7-6 6-4
Richard Gasquet (FRA) defeated [Q] Blaz Rola (SLO) 6-4 6-4
[WC] Aslan Karatsev (RUS) defeated [WC] Mubarak Shannan Zayid (QAT) 6-4 6-0

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At the Open 13 Provence in Marseille, just three matches played out with one completed early, as Emil Ruusuvuori heads into the Round of 16 off the back of an early retirement from his opposition in eighth seed Yoshihito Nishioka, with the match done and dusted at 6-2 4-2. French wildcard Hugo Gaston completed an impressive victory over Top 100 Austrian Dennis Novak  with a 3-6 6-4 6-1 comeback, however it was the remaining match of the day that sparked interest as a 7-6(3) 6-7(5) 7-5 encounter between fifth seed Italian Jannik Sinner and Frenchman Gregoire Barrere went close to three hours in length. Whilst Baire won off his first serve at a better efficiency than Sinner (53 from 69 at 77 per cent), he had less opportunities which marginally allowed Sinner to reign supreme with 56 serve points won and a much better effectiveness on his second serve. Sinner also saved 10 break points, keeping on top of the contest, which went to two tiebreakers before completion.

OPEN 13 PROVENCE ROUND OF 32 RESULTS:

[5] Jannik Sinner (ITA) defeated Gregoire Barrere (FRA) 7-6 6-7 7-5
Emil Ruusuvuori (FIN) defeated [8] Yoshihito Nishioka (JPN) 6-2 4-2 (RET)
[WC] Hugo Gaston (FRA) defeated Dennis Novak (AUT) 3-6 6-4 6-1

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At the lone clay court tournament of the week, one seed fell amongst some intriguing results in Santiago. A straight sets sweep from Roberto Carballes Baena over sixth seed Italian Salvatore Caruso was the significant result of the day, with the 6-4 7-6 result played out in one hour and 55 minutes, although an excellent scalp from Argentinian Facundo Bagnis over Italian Marco Cecchinato also kept things interesting. The 6-7 6-2 6-3 encounter was the longest over the day, marginally pipping the result of the matchup between Daniel Elahi Galan and Daniel Altmaier at the post by seven minutes. Elahi Galan was cleaner in victory than his German opposition, with an excellent first serve winning rate of 87 per cent paying off, with six aces for two double faults compared to Altmaier’s 14 for seven. Meanwhile, Pedro Sousa downed Argentinian Leonardo Mayer in 80 minutes, with the remaining match of the day between Frances Tiafoe and Nicolas Jarry yet to complete the first set, with a 6-6 tiebreaker setting up a huge encounter.

CHILE OPEN ROUND OF 32 RESULTS:

Roberto Carballes Baena (ESP) defeated [6] Salvatore Caruso (ITA) 6-4 7-6
Facundo Bagnis (ARG) defeated Marco Cecchinato (ITA) 6-7 6-2 6-3
Daniel Elahi Galan (COL) defeated Daniel Altmaier (GER) 7-6 3-6 7-5
Pedro Sousa (POR) defeated Leonardo Mayer (ARG) 6-2 6-4
Frances Tiafoe (USA) v. [WC] Nicolas Jarry (CHI)