GRAN CANARIA, March 4, 2021
Marco Trungelliti of Argentina headlined Thursday’s second-round action at the Gran Canaria Challenger II, knocking out the tournament’s top seed Carlos Alcaraz 7-6(5), 6-3. The World No. 248 capitalized on four of his six break-point opportunities to prevail after one hour and 28 minutes.
Sorpresa del día: #Trungelliti gana contra #AlcarazGarfia 7-6(5) 6-3 en la segunda ronda 🇦🇷#GCC #meftennisevents #tennis #ATPChallenger @ATPChallenger | @turismogc | @GranCanariaTur | @gctourism | @GranCanariaCab | @RFETenis | @GranCanariaDep | @ESPNtenis pic.twitter.com/TYasHPg8Pb
— MEF tennis events (@meftennisevents) March 4, 2021
“I started the match very well, but despite having several chances, I couldn’t close out the first set quickly. It would have been a shame to lose it. Fortunately I took advantage of my first set point and then the second set was pretty solid. I am very happy with this victory,” said Trungelliti.
“Last week I almost fell in the first round of the Gran Canaria Challenger I, but I managed to save two match points and then made it into the quarterfinals. I missed two match points and lost. Tennis is an unpredictable sport and I also experienced a couple of ups and downs of my career. I feel fit, I have faith in my game and I am physically well. I will do my best to try to win the tournament.”
Trungelliti will next play No. 8 seed Kimmer Coppejans from Belgium, who survived a topsy-turvy encounter against last week’s Gran Canaria Challenger runner-up Steven Diez of Canada, winning 2-6, 6-0, 7-5 in two hours and 36 minutes.
First QF of 2021 for @KimmerCoppejans 💪
The 🇧🇪 moves into the last eight in Gran Canaria, rallying from a set down to dismiss last week’s finalist Diez.
🎥 @meftennisevents pic.twitter.com/uR5Q381NME
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) March 4, 2021
Qualifiers prevail
In other action, qualifier Eduard Esteve Lobato continued his good run of form this week by reaching the quarterfinals. The 26-year-old Spaniard upset No. 3 seed Nikola Milojevic of Serbia 7-5, 6-3. Esteve Lobato saved all six break points he faced and converted two of his own three break-point chances to advance after one hour and 41 minutes.
Up next for the World No. 483 from Barcelona will be Italian qualifier Giulio Zeppieri. The 19-year-old Rome native defeated No. 7 seed Filip Horansky from Slovakia 7-6(7), 6-1. The match lasted one hour and 38 minutes.
