HEILBRONN, June 5, 2023
Two of the top three seeds at the 2023 NECKARCUP have punched their tickets for the second round of the award-winning ATP Challenger Tour event in Heilbronn. On a sunny Monday, third favourite Daniel Elahi Galan of Colombia, who has come to southwestern Germany for the fourth consecutive time, defeated Turkish alternate Cem Ilkel.
The World No. 91 struck eight aces and won 73 per cent of his first-service points to prevail after one hour and 46 minutes.
Back in Heilbronn for the 4th straight year 👏
Daniel Elahi Galan 🇨🇴 reaches the second round of the #NECKARCUP with a 6-4 7-6 win over Cem Ilkel.#ATPChallenger #Heilbronn #WeltklasseTennisHautnah pic.twitter.com/jsyWPax0fK
— NECKARCUP Heilbronn (@NeckarH) June 5, 2023
“I am super happy to be here again. This is a tournament I always enjoy. I am really happy to be back. I was a break down three times but I broke back and kept fighting until the end,” Elahi Galan said during his on-court post-match interview.
Next up for the 26-year-old Bucaramanga native will be either Swiss qualifier Jerome Kym or Felipe Meligeni Alves from Brazil.
Munar cruises
Later in the afternoon, Munar eased past Hugo Dellien of Boliva 6-1, 6-1. The World No. 81 from Spain was in total control of the match, didn’t face a break point and capitalized on all of his own five break-point chances to advance in only 52 minutes.
First time in Heilbronn, first win! 👏@jamunar_38 🇪🇸 beats Hugo Dellien in straight sets to reach the second round of the #NECKARCUP.
🗣️Post-match interview 🗣️#ATPChallenger @ATPChallenger #Heilbronn pic.twitter.com/q6Odk6K2Ld
— NECKARCUP Heilbronn (@NeckarH) June 5, 2023
“I am coming from difficult times. I was struggling with my fitness. Playing at Roland Garros last week was tough. I was looking forward to a match like this one. I really needed it. I did nothing really special but I played a good level of tennis today,” said Munar, who is competing in the NECKARCUP for the first time.
“The references of the tournament were great. So I decided to come here. It is very nice here and I am enjoying my time. For sure this is one of the best Challengers in the world.”
Munar will next take on Timofey Skatov of Kazakhstan, a 7-5, 6-1 winner over Damir Dzumhur from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
MONDAY RESULTS Singles – First Round[2] J. Munar (ESP) d H. Dellien (BOL) 61 61[3] D. Galan (COL) d [Alt] C. Ilkel (TUR) 64 76(3)[6] F. Marozsan (HUN) d [Alt] H. Casanova (ARG) 63 64J. Kovalik (SVK) d M. Marterer (GER) 36 62 76(5)[WC] M. Topo (GER) d O. Krutykh (UKR) 64 64T. Skatov (KAZ) d D. Dzumhur (BIH) 75 61
Qualifying Singles – Second Round[2] H. Squire (GER) d [Alt] M. Moraing (GER) walkover[3] L. Gerch (GER) d [7] M. Janvier (FRA) 62 62[12] M. Rehberg (GER) d [4] [WC] T. Stodder (GER) 63 64S. Fanselow (GER) d [8] V. Orlov (UKR) 63 36 63[9] A. Santillan (AUS) d [WC] L. Gavrielides (GER) 60 64[10] J. Kym (SUI) d A. Arnaboldi (ITA) 76(1) 75
