Andrey Rublev survives scare to advance in Dubai ATP tournament
The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships kicked off with a first-round match between Andrey Rublev and Filip Krajinovic. Rublev, the no. 2 seed from Russia, initially fell behind in the opening set with a 5-2 deficit. However, he made an impressive comeback and won five consecutive games to take the set 7-5. He then cruised in the second set, winning 6-2. Rublev won 89.7% of his first-service points and converted four of six break-point opportunities.
Alexander Zverev and Other Winners in Dubai ATP Tournament:
In another match of the tournament, Alexander Zverev of Germany, the no. 7 seed, rallied to beat Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. Several other players also won their opening matches, including Alejandro Davidovich Fokina of Spain, Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands, Thanasi Kokkinakis of Australia, Lorenzo Sonego of Italy, and Russian qualifier Pavel Kotov.
Juan Manuel Cerundolo Upsets Pedro Cachin in Movistar Chile Open:
At the Movistar Chile Open in Santiago, Argentine qualifier Juan Manuel Cerundolo caused an upset by defeating fellow countryman Pedro Cachin, the no. 7 seed, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. Cerundolo won 84.8% of his first-service points and coped with Cachin’s nine aces. Defending champion Pedro Martinez of Spain also bowed out early, losing to German qualifier Yannick Hanfmann 6-2, 6-0. Alejandro Tabilo of Chile won 6-0, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (5) over Spain’s Jaume Munar, earning the right to face top-seeded Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the second round.
U.S. Players Prevail in Abierto Mexicano Telcel:
In Acapulco, Mexico, the Abierto Mexicano Telcel saw three-seeded U.S. players win their opening-round matches. Third-seeded Taylor Fritz outlasted countryman John Isner 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, while sixth-seeded Frances Tiafoe downed Yoshihito Nishioka of Japan 7-6 (6), 6-4, with a 9-2 edge in aces. Seventh-seeded Tommy Paul closed out Ecuador’s Emilio Gomez 6-1, 7-6 (4). In an all-U.S. matchup, Michael Mmoh prevailed 7-6 (3), 6-1 over Marcos Giron. Fourth-seeded Holger Rune of Denmark rallied past Ben Shelton of the United States 6-7 (7), 6-4, 6-2, and Canada’s Denis Shapovalov came from behind to defeat Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanovic 6-7 (4), 6-0, 7-5. Second-seeded Casper Ruud of Norway staved off Argentine qualifier Guido Andreozzi 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (2) in the final match of the night. Spain’s Feliciano Lopez and Japan’s Taro Daniel also advanced to the second round.
Overall, The first round of the Dubai Duty-Free Tennis Championships, Movistar Chile Open, and Abierto Mexicano Telcel saw several exciting matches and surprising upsets. While some top seeds prevailed, others faced early exits.
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