PULA, March 17, 2016
The tournament’s top-favourites of the $10,000 Istarska Rivijera ITF Futures in Pula fell in the second round on Thursday.
Number one seed Riccardo Bellotti lost to Porec champion Zdenek Kolar 6-4, 6-2. The 19-year-old Czech extended his winning streak to seven during the Istrian swing, hitting four aces to reach the quarterfinals after one hour and 21 minutes. Kolar will take on Pietro Licciardi next, who defeated Croatian wild card Domagoj Biljesko 7-5, 7-5.
Another local created the second upset of the day, as Antonio Sancic knocked out the tournament’s second seed Peter Torebko. The world number 825 capitalized on five of his 10 break point chances to seal victory in two hours and 18 minutes. Sancic will face fellow countryman Nino Serdarusic for an all-Croatian-encounter in the stage of the final eight. The 19-year-old from Zagreb overcame Pietro Rondoni 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 in two hours and 40 minutes.
Two Spanish youngster complete the quarterfinals in Pula. Sixth seed Jaume Munar ousted Pawel Cias from Poland, winning 6-4, 6-2. The 18-year-old from Mallorca saved all five break points he faced, converting three of his own to advance after one hour and 35 minutes. Munar will play with world number 622 Montenegro’s top-ranked player Ljubumir Celebic.
Pedro Martinez Portero battled past Czech qualifier Pavel Nejedly 4-6, 6-2, 7-5. The Spanish teenager won 98 of the total 186 points to seal victory in two hours and 43 minutes, setting a quarterfinal clash with third seed Marco Bortolotti. The 25-year-old Italian downed Brazilian qualifier Eduardo Dischinger 6-3, 6-2 in one hour and 32 minutes.
Segunda mañana de singles y de dobles con mi viejo partner y amigo @jamunar_38 #notabadplacetowork #tennis #croatia pic.twitter.com/XXD7z0iTPA
— Pedro M. Portero (@PedroMPortero) 16. März 2016
