After Nearly 3 Hours, Londero Finds A Way In Santiago

It took Juan Ignacio Londero nearly three hours on Monday, but the 28-year-old found a way to advance in Santiago.

The Argentine outlasted 22-year-old countryman Tomas Martin Etcheverry 4-6, 6-4, 7-5 after two hours and 51 minutes to reach the second round of the Chile Dove Men+Care Open. The 28-year-old qualifier saved seven of the 10 break points he faced and converted four of his six break opportunities.

Londero, who including qualifying has won three matches this week in Santiago, is pursuing his second ATP Tour title. Three years ago, he triumphed in Cordoba, and later that year climbed to a career-high No. 50 in the ATP Rankings.

FOLLOW THIS WEEK’S ACTION

• TV Schedule
• Watch Live On Tennis TV
• Follow Live Scores On ATP Tour App

The World No. 139, who also made the Cordoba semi-finals earlier this month, will next play 2021 Intesa Sanpaolo Next Gen ATP Finals competitor Sebastian Baez or Juan Pablo Varillas of Peru.

In other action another Argentine, Facundo Bagnis, eased past Spaniard Bernabe Zapata Miralles 6-3, 6-0 in 62 minutes. The eighth seed won his first match of the year against Andy Murray. However, he arrived in Santiago on a six-match losing streak.

After getting back on track Monday, Bagnis will hope to maintain his momentum against Bolivian Hugo Dellien or Chilean qualifier Gonzalo Lama.