THIRD seed, Cristian Garin is through to the Round of 16 at Rio De Janeiro but not without a huge battle, eventually defeating Slovakian, Andrej Martin in three sets. The Chilean had to fight back from a set down to win, 4-6 7-5 7-6 in three hours and nine minutes. Garin was powerful on serve with 76 per cent success on his first serve points, then he won 50 per cent of his second serves off a 56 per cent efficiency. His serve at times was inconsistent, serving five double faults for only three aces, while breaking four times. Martin also broke four times, and was strong off Garin’s second serve but not as effective off his first serve. After a promising start, and some unlucky moments in the last two sets, the 94th ranked Martin was not able to finish off the job against the world number 25.

In other Rio Open results, Spaniard Pablo Andujar defeated veteran compatriot, Fernando Verdasco in straight sets, joining fellow Spaniard, Pedro Martinez in the Round of 16. Argentina’s Federico Delbonis defeated Spain’s Roberto Carballes Baena easily, while his compatriot, Federico Coria moved through qualifying and into the Round of 16 with a come-from-behind win over Frenchman, Corentin Moutet 1-6 7-6 7-6. Meanwhile, Brazilian wildcard Thiago Seyboth Wild came from behind to cause a three-set upset over Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 5-7 7-6 7-5, while seventh seed, Albert Ramos-Vinolas was bundled out by Carlos Alcaraz 6-7 6-4 6-7.

ROUND OF 32 RESULTS:

[3] C. Garin (CHI) defeated A. Martin (SVK) 4-6 7-5 7-6
C. Alcaraz (ESP) defeated [7] A. Ramos-Vinolas (ESP) 7-6 6-4 7-6
P. Andujar (ESP) defeated [9] F. Verdasco (ESP) 6-3 6-3
A. Davidovich Fokina (ESP) [WC] T. Seyboth Wild (BRA)
[Q] F. Costa (ARG) defeated C. Moutet (FRA) 1-6 7-6 7-6
F. Delbonis (ARG) defeated R. Carballes Baena (ESP) 6-2 6-4
[Q] P. Martinez (ESP) defeated H. Dellien (BOL) 3-6 6-2 7-5