STOKE PARK/STARNBERG, June 28, 2025
Six world class players took centre stage on Friday at The Boodles. With just three spots in the ATP Rankings separating the two players, the opening match of the day did not disappoint. Pedro Martinez, currently ranked World No. 52, won his first ATP Tour title in Santiago de Chile 2022 and came to idyllic surroundings of Stoke Park in preparation for a hopeful run at SW19. His opponent, Camilo Ugo Carabelli, put up a valiant effort to take the match down to the wire much to the delight of The Boodles crowd but the Spaniard held on to clinch a 7-5, 2-6, 11-9 victory.
“I always enjoy these kinds of matches because it’s good preparation for us, for Wimbledon, because we play a full match, but you don’t have the pressure so maybe you can try to do the things that you are practising on these days,” Martinez said.
Alexei Popyrin came from a set down to defeat Argentine Sebastian Baez 3-6, 6-4, 10-4. Popyrin put in an impressive serving display, a shot that will be important for the Australian if he is to make a run at Wimbledon next week. Popyrin has been drawn against British wildcard Arthur Fery in the opening round at The Championships, while Sebastian Baez will face British No. 1 Jack Draper.
“It’s gonna be an interesting match. I think he’s a really good player,” Popyrin said about his opening round match at Wimbledon. “His ranking is definitely lower than what his level is. I know him because I played him two years ago on the grass and practised with him a few times indoors this year. So I know that his level can be really high. It’s just if he can bring it in during the matches, and if he does, then there’s going to be a tough match out there. So yeah, I’m looking forward to it.”
Baez commented on playing Draper: “Yeah, I played with him last year in Australia. I have many days before we play, so I’m just thinking about it day by day. We will see, of course, with my team for the game and everything for the best option to go into the match. But it’s going to be on Tuesday so I have many, many days to prepare.“
Kyle Edmund made his return to The Boodles a winning one as he defeated Junior World No. 1 Andres Santamarta Roig 6-1, 6-4. Edmund, who made the semi final of the Australian Open in 2018, showed off his powerful serve and fiery forehand which proved too much for the talented young Spaniard. Edmund now turns his attention to the ATP Challenger event in Nottingham while Roig is ready to hit the grass at SW19 for the junior boys tournament.
“It was hot out there today so I was really happy with the way I performed against Andres,” Edmund said. “It’s great to be back at The Boodles. I trained not far from here as a youngster and was one of the hitters, so to be back here as a player is a cool moment for me.”
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