MAIA/STARNBERG, December 8, 2021

Andrej Martin of Slovakia will lead the quarterfinals line-up of the Maia Open. The top seed of the €44,820 ATP Challenger clay-court tournament in Northern Portugal defeated Elliot Benchetrit of Morocco 6-2, 7-6(0) on Wednesday.

Martin struck four aces and won 76 per cent of his first-service points to prevail after one hour and 39 minutes.

The World No. 120 from Bratislava will next be challenged by Louis Wessels. The 23-year-old German rallied from a set down to overcome Spaniard Oriol Roca Batalla 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 in two hours and 23 minutes. Wessels has reached the stage of the last eight at Challenger level for the second time in his career after Meerbusch, Germany two years ago. Martin and Wessels will meet for the first time.

In the bottom half of the draw, Kimmer Coppejans remained rock solid beating Spanish qualifier Miguel Damas 6-2, 6-1. The World No. 207 from Belgium saved all five break points he faced and capitalized on five of his own nine break-point chances to advance after 69 minutes.

Coppejans awaits the winner of the encounter between last week’s first-time ATP Challenger champion and No. 5 seed Nuno Borges from Portugal and Aziz Dougaz of Tunisia.

Elias shows great defensive skills

The shot of the day, mabye even of the week, was hit by home favourite and No. 3 seed Gastao Elias, who opened his title bid with a 6-4, 6-2 first-round victory over Eduard Esteve Lobato from Spain. Elias will next play his compatriot and wild card entry Tiago Cacao.

Portuguese @GastaoElias just hit the shot of the tournament in the early stages of his opening-round match 🔥 #MaiaOpen pic.twitter.com/TRwNRHxZcb

— Gaspar Ribeiro Lança (@gasparlanca) December 8, 2021