ORTISEI, November 12, 2015

The bottom half of the draw was in second round action in Ortisei on Thursday to complete the quarterfinals of the € 64,000 Sparkassen ATP Challenger.

Second seed Evgeny Donskoy advanced to the stage of the final eight, winning 6-4, 7-6 against Austrian qualifier Maximilian Neuchrist. The in-form-Russian, who made it to the semi-finals at the ATP 250 in Moscow three weeks ago, returned to the top 100, currently on 94th position. Against a big serving opponent, Donskoy showed some decent returns, withstood 15 aces to prevail in one hour and 16 minutes.

Evgeny Donskoy (photo: Gian-Luca Gatto)

Donskoy will take on Marton Fucsovics next. The 23-year-old Hungarian beat Andrea Arnaboldi, winning 6-4, 6-4. Fucsovics saved the only two break points he faced and capitalized on two of his own to finish the match after one hour and 21 minutes.

Rajeev Ram (photo: Marco Wanker)

Third seed Rajeev Ram overcame Italian wild card Lorenzo Sonego, winning 6-7, 7-6, 6-4. The world number 99 from the United States had to battle hard saving three match points in the tie-break of the second set and gained the decisive break in the ninth game to prevail in two hours and 11 minutes.

Ram will face with Luca Vanni another local next. The sixth seeded Italian defeated his fellow countryman Erik Crepaldi 7-6, 6-3. The world number 117 from Foiano della Chiana, fired ten aces and won 85% of his first service points to seal victory in one hour and 22 minutes.