A LITTLE known Italian qualifier has stunned the number one seed in Pune to grab back-to-back ATP Tour wins, after not winning in his 11 years since joining the tour.

TATA OPEN – PUNE, INDIA:

The quarter finals are decided in Pune, and the number one seed and tournament favourite is out. France’s Benoit Paire was bundled out by Italian qualifier, Roberto Marcora 6-4 6-4 in Paire’s first match of the tournament in the Round of 16. Marcora needed just one hour and 17 minutes to knock off the number one seed, having lower serving statistics, but breaking three times while saving a whopping seven of eight break point opportunities for his opponent. Paire was unlucky not to get the win considering he had a 71 and 61 per cent first and second serve points won percentage, as well as winning more return points. But the world number 174 stood up in crucial moments to go back-to-back wins in the Tata Open – the first of his ATP Tour career, 11 years into his career.

In other results, Australia’s James Duckworth advanced through to face Marcora with a 6-7 7-6 6-3 victory over Japan’s Taro Daniel, while fourth seed Soonwoo Kwon and eighth seed, Egor Gerasimov booked a spot in the final eight with respective wins over Prajnesh Gunneswaran and Nikola Milojevic.

OPEN SUD DE FRANCE – MONTPELLIER, FRANCE:

It took a while, but number one seed, Gael Monfils advanced through to the quarter finals with a 4-6 6-1 6-4 victory over compatriot, Adrian Mannarino. He takes on Slovenia’s Norbert Gombos who booked his place in the last eight following a 7-5 6-4 victory over Finnish qualifier, Emil Ruusuvuori. The news for the home nation was incredibly positive, with Pierre-Hugues Herbert stunning Canadian teenager, Felix Auger-Aliassime 7-6 7-5. Richard Gasquet triumphed in the battle of the veterans over Feliciano Lopez, winning 6-7 6-4 6-2, while Belgian second seed, David Goffin also advanced to the quarter finals with a 6-3 7-6 win over Kazakhstan’s Alexander Bublik.

In a match that lasted just an hour and 17 minutes, seventh seed Serbian, Filip Krajinovic moved through to the quarter finals with an eye-opening 6-1 6-1 victory over Sweden’s Mikael Ymer. The 27-year-old had too much experience for his 21-year-old opponent, winning 70 per cent of his first serve points and 54 per cent of his second serve points. He saved four of a possible five break points, while capitalising on a massive nine of 15 when receiving. With a 76 per cent winning record off Ymer’s second serve, Krajinovic was strong both on serve and when receiving.

CORDOBA OPEN – CORDOBA, ARGENTINA:

The remaining four Round of 16 matches were completed in Cordoba, with reigning champion and eighth seed, Juan Ignacio Londero remaining alive in the competition. The Argentinian moved through to the last eight with a 6-3 6-3 win over compatriot and wildcard, Pedro Cachin. The match lasted an hour and 25 minutes with Londero breaking three times and saved five break point opportunities himself on his way to victory. Londero won 79 per cent of his first serve points and a handy 59 per cent of his second serve points, while capitalising off the opponents’ second serve with a 63 per cent success rate.

In other results, all the seeds progressed, with number one seed, Diego Schwartzman, number four seed Laslo Djere and number five seed Albert Ramos-Vinolas all triumphing on Cancha Central.