PULLACH, August 4, 2018
The inaugural Isar Open, the latest stop on the ATP Challenger Tour, kicked off with the qualifying on Saturday. On a sunny day at the Tennis Club Großhesselohe, No. 1 seed Arthur de Greef rallied past Manuel Pena Lopez of Argentina 6-7(4), 6-3, 7-5.
The 26-year-old from Belgium struck seven aces, winning 75 per cent of his first service points to secure victory in two hours and 46 minutes.
“It was tough, as it’s very hot,” de Greef told Tennis TourTalk afterwards. “There is also a bit of altitude here and I am not really used to it coming from Belgium. It was a big fight today and I am happy to be through.
“The tournament is organized very well. Dominik (Schulz) is doing a good job. I enjoy it.”
De Greef will next take on Juan Pablo Paz of Argentina for a spot in the final round.
Olivo falls, Coppejans and Ymer advance
Isar Open
Pol Toledo Bague of Spain knocked out second favourite Renzo Olivo from Argentina 6-2, 6-2. The encounter lasted 68 minutes.
No. 3 seed Kimmer Coppejans from Belgium cruised past Christopher O’Connell of Australia 6-2, 6-0. The World no. 302 won 69 per cent of the total points played to advance in only 56 minutes.
“I played a solid match and handled the altitude pretty well. Balls are coming pretty quick,” Coppejans commented afterwards.
“The first part of the season was not that good for me but I was sick and I lost weight. Now I am feeling better.” The 24-year-old will next play Fabrizio Ornago from Italy.
Mikael Ymer also advanced to the next round with a 6-4, 7-5 win over German wild card entry Sebastian Prechtel. The 19-year-old from Sweden capitalized on five of his 12 break point chances to seal victory in one hour and 37 minutes.
“The first match is always tough but I played a solid match,” said Ymer, who will take on Zizou Bergs of Belgium next.
Three Germans into the second round
Local favourite Kevin Krawietz had a good start into the €127,000 clay-court event, easing past wild card entry Yshai Oliel of Israel 6-1, 6-1 in just under one hour of play.
“I am pleased with my performance today, as I played a decent match,” Krawietz said. “It’s great to play here at home but the draw is pretty tough with a couple of good players. I hope that I am able to continue like this.”
Next up for Krawietz will be Corentin Denolly of France, who defeated Vladyslav Manafov from the Ukraine 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-1. The 26-year-old German will be joined by his compatriots Julian Lenz and George von Massow in the second round of qualifying.
Top seed of the main draw will be Jan-Lennard Struff. The World No. 56 was awarded a wild card and will open his title bid against fellow German Daniel Masur. The tournament’s No. 2 Jiri Vesely will take on Alexey Vatutin of Russia in the first round. Freshly crowned Kitzbühel champion Martin Klizan will be seeded fifth. The 29-year-old from Slovakia will face Spaniard Ricardo Ojeda Lara.
