Chile Open: Horror day for Slovakia as Chilean wildcard moves through
IF you were a Slovakian fan in Chile to see the four players taking to the courts in the Open, you no doubt headed home disappointed with all four bowing out in the opening round of competition. In a rare special, the entire Court 1 matches featured Slovakian players, while qualifier, Martin Klizan also played in the tournament on Central Court.
Klizan bowed out to seventh seed Argentinian, Federico Delbonis in straight sets 6-1 7-6. His departure was followed by Andrej Martin, Jozef Kovalik and fellow qualifier, Filip Horansky as departures on the second day of main draw competition. Martin lost to Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 2-6 7-6 6-3, as Salvatore Caruso downed Kovalik 6-2 6-3 and Peruvian lucky loser, Juan Pablo Varillas knocked out Horansky 6-4 6-2.
In other results, eighth seed Brazilian Thiago Monteiro came from a set down to win against Argentinian, Leonardo Mayer 6-7 6-3 6-4, while Argentinian qualifier, Renzo Olivio upset Portugal’s Pedro Sousa – who reached the Argentina Open final – 4-6 6-3 6-4. In the all-Argentinian match, fifth seed Juan Ignacio Londero defeated compatriot, Federico Coria 6-4 6-2.
The one home nation player on the day was Chilean wildcard, Alejandro Tabilo. He moved through to the Round of 16 with a straight sets win over Italian, Pablo Lorenzi. Tabilo won 6-3 6-4 in an hour and 35 minutes, serving seven aces at a 73 per cent serving efficiency. He also won 73 per cent of his first serve points and broke three times to Loreni’s one to make his way through to the second round and now faces second seed, Norwegian Casper Ruud.
ROUND OF 32 RESULTS:
[5] J. Londero (ARG) defeated F. Coria (ARG) 6-4 6-2
[7] F. Delbonis (ARG) defeated [Q] M. Klizan (SVK) 6-1 7-6
[8] T. Monteiro (BRA) defeated L. Mayer (ARG) 6-7 6-3 6-4
[WC] A. Tabilo (CHI) defeated P. Lorenzi (ITA) 6-3 6-4
A. Davidovich Fokina (ESP) defeated A. Martin (SVK) 2-6 7-6 6-3
S. Caruso (ITA) defeated J. Kovalik (SVK) 6-2 6-3
J. Varillas (PER) defeated [Q] F. Horansky (SVK) 6-4 6-2
[Q] R. Olivo (ARG) defeated P. Sousa (POR) 4-6 6-3 6-4
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