Wu Saves Match Point To Advance In Geneva

Wu Yibing is finding his footing on clay. After earning his first tour-level win on the surface in Rome, he earned another on Monday in Geneva.

The Chinese star saved one match point en route to a 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(6) victory against home favourite Marc-Andrea Hustler in the first round of the Gonet Geneva Open.

“[He is] a very tough opponent to play against. It’s the first time we played each other and of course he is from here, there’s more people cheering for him,” Wu said in his on-court interview. “But I’m glad I [pulled] through these ups and downs, especially the first few games in the second set. I made like 10 double faults in a row, which shouldn’t happen. [I will] try to be better next time.”

Wu, who hit seven double faults in the match, found his best when it mattered most. Huesler earned match point at 6/5 in the final-set tie-break, but Wu played aggressively and finished off the point at the net with an overhead.

“I’m very happy,” said Wu, who will next play 2018 Roland Garros semi-finalist Marco Cecchinato. “It’s my first time here playing Geneva, first time for me here in Switzerland and it’s a beautiful country. First few days I practised and I tried to visit the city a little bit. You guys have amazing watches and chocolate!”

In other action, former finalist Nicolas Jarry continued his love affair with the Geneva ATP 250 event. The Chilean, who lost against Alexander Zverev in the title match in 2019, defeated Banja Luka champion Dusan Lajovic 6-4, 6-2 to reach the second round.

Jarry, currently No. 52 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings, reached the semi-finals on clay in Rio de Janeiro in February before he lifted the title in Santiago in March. He will next play Italian qualifier Stefano Travaglia or Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor.

Eighth seed Adrian Mannarino defeated Serbian Filip Krajinovic 7-5, 6-1 to advance to the second round in Geneva for the second time. The 34-year-old snapped a four-match losing streak with his 13th tour-level win of the season. Mannarino will next meet Guido Pella or Ilya Ivashka.

Spaniards Bernabe Zapata Miralles and Roberto Carballes Baena also advanced. Zapata Miralles downed Ukrainian qualifier Vitaliy Sachko 6-2, 6-4, while Carballes Baena beat countryman Daniel Rincon 6-4, 4-6, 6-0. Rincon was making his second tour-level appearance after coming through qualifying.