GUIA DE ISORA/STARNBERG, January 17, 2024
Spaniards Pablo Llamas Ruiz and Pedro Martinez have both won their second-round matches and will go head-to-head in the quarterfinals of the Tenerife Challenger 1 organized by MEF Tennis Events.
After reaching the quarterfinals in the Tenerife Challenger 3 in 2023, Llamas Ruiz is once again among the last eight on the largest of the Canary Islands. The sixth seed of the ATP Challenger Tour 100 hard-court tournament eased past Bulgarian Adrian Andreev 6-1, 6-4 on Wednesday.
The 21-year-old Andalusian Llamas Ruiz saved both break points he faced and capitalized on three of his own four break-point opportunities.
A good day at the office 💼
No.6 seed Pablo Llamas Ruiz is through to the quarters in Tenerife after cruising past Andreev 6-1, 6-4#ATPChallenger | @meftennisevents pic.twitter.com/yZ5y1EaMHt
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) January 17, 2024
“This is a tournament I liked from the first time I saw it,” Llamas Ruiz said. “I really like the courts, and I feel very comfortable here, so I want to continue on my path.”
The World No. 130 ATP captured his maiden Challenger crown on home soil at the Open Castilla y Leon in El Espinar last year. “I had a very good season, except towards the end of the year when things took a little turn. Anyway, this helps me gain experience and face the difficulties that arise every day while traveling to tournaments.”
Martinez beats Berankis
Later on Centre Court of the Abama Tennis Academy in Guía de Isora, Martinez beat Lithuanian veteran Ricardas Berankis 6-2, 6-2. The No. 2 seed from Valencia sent down two aces and won 76 per cent of his first-service points to advance in one hour and 10 minutes.
Vamos Pedro 🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸
Pedro #Martinez alcanza los cuartos de final del Tenerife Challenger 1 👏👏#tennis #TenerifeChallenger #ATPChallenger #VisitTenerife pic.twitter.com/sXIccsmkti
— MEF tennis events (@meftennisevents) January 17, 2024
“I know Berankis, and I know he is a very clever player,” said the World No. 109 afterwards. “I am happy because I was focused and had good feelings on the court. Taking advantage of opportunities allowed me to always lead the match. It has been a very good day of tennis, and I want to continue like this.”
Martinez won the only previous meeting with Llamas Ruiz at the ATP Challenger in Girona, Spain last year.“I’m glad to face Pablo,” said Martinez. “I have known him for many years. We often practiced together during his early years. I am confident it will be a great challenge.”
In other action, fourth-seeded Brandon Nakashima from the United States defeated home favourite Alejandro Moro Canas 6-3, 6-1 in one hour and 22 minutes and will next face Italian Francesco Maestrelli, who ousted No. 7 seed Otto Virtanen 6-4, 6-1. The encounter lasted one hour and 31 minutes.
TENERIFE CHALLENGER – WEDNESDAY RESULTS
Second Round
Brandon Nakashima (4) def. Alejandro Moro Canas 6-3 6-1Pablo Llamas Ruiz (6) def. Adrian Andreev 6-1 6-4
Pedro Martinez (2) def. Ricardas Berankis 6-2 6-2
Francesco Maestrelli def. (7) Otto Virtanen 6-4 6-1
📆 Order of Play | Thursday 18 January
💥 Quarter-finals in Tenerife 💥 #tennis #TenerifeChallenger #ATPChallenger #VisitTenerife pic.twitter.com/w1Vi84O1el
— MEF tennis events (@meftennisevents) January 17, 2024
