SEVILLA, September 2, 2025

Pablo Carreno Busta headlined Tuesday’s first-round action at the LX II Copa Sevilla. The No. 7 seed of the ATP Challenger Tour 125 clay-court event beat last week’s Rafa Nadal Open champion and fellow Spaniard Daniel Rincon 6-2, 6-2.

Carreno Busta converted six of his 11 break-point chances and won 58 per cent of the total points played to succeed in one hour and 20 minutes.

Experience prevails

Former world No.10 @pablocarreno91 takes the all-Spanish battle in Seville#ATPChallenger | @CopaSevillaCh pic.twitter.com/rgplAOaOqX

— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) September 2, 2025

“Daniel came with a lot of confidence but, like me, also played on hard court before. I was very focused on my game right from the beginning and improved throughout the match,” Carreno Busta told Tennis TourTalk afterwards.

The 34-year-old Spaniard returned to Europe after competing in the North American hard-court swing, where he reached the second round of the US Open but eventually fell to Ben Shelton. “It wasn’t the best American swing I have played so far but I played better and better every week. It was important to play as many matches as possible to get rhythm,” the former World No. 10 stated.

Carreno Busta is making his third appearance at the Copa Sevilla this week, lifting the trophy in 2014 and finishing runner-up to Pedro Cachin one year later. “Today I am a different Pablo Carreno compared to 10 years ago,” the World No. 137 said with a smile. “I have very good memories of the tournament. The crowd is amazing. Playing in the evening hours here is fantastic. Of course, I will try to reach another final.”

The last time Carreno Busta competed in the capital city of Andalucia, the tournament was still held on the unique yellow clay. In 2024 the tournament switched to common red clay. “The Albero was faster but now playing on the ‘normal’ clay makes it easier for us,” the Gijon native commented on the change of the surface.

Up next for Carreno Busta will be local wild card entry Javier Barranco Cosano, who eased past Gonzalo Bueno of Peru 6-0, 6-2 in 69 minutes.

Taberner outlasts Alex Martinez

Carlos Taberner was also in action but had to go the distance against Spanish qualifier Alex Martinez. The No. 2 seed from Valencia won 71 per cent of his first-service points and broke his rival’s serve three times to secure victory in one hour and 54 minutes.

World No. 99 Taberner will next play Guy den Ouden, who was a 6-4, 3-6, 6-1 winner over Czech qualifier Dominik Kellovsky. The Dutchman, who came fresh from his title win at the CT Porto Cup on Sunday, prevailed after two hours and three minutes.

“It was a bit of a rollercoster today,” den Ouden said afterwards. “Last night I flew in from Porto. I was not feeling too fresh but I am very happy to be through to the next round. It’s never easy when you come to a new tournament after winning a title. I played four Challenger finals before this year. I am very happy to got it over the line. Seven time’s a charme,” the 23-year-old Utrecht native joked.

É #CopaSevilla2025 pic.twitter.com/Wlob1G0r7g

— Copa Sevilla (@CopaSevillaCh) September 2, 2025