Cerundolo Conquers Cachin In Santiago

Juan Manuel Cerundolo won two ATP Challenger Tour titles to start his season. Could this be the week he adds another ATP Tour trophy to his collection?

The Argentine qualifier battled past countryman Pedro Cachin 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 on Monday to reach the second round of the Movistar Chile Open.

“I’m really happy and I hope to keep working to get better,” Cerundolo said. “I still have a lot of things to improve so I need to keep working and see if I have better results.”[

The lefty dominated behind his first serve, winning 85 per cent of those points. Cerundolo saved two of the three break points he faced to advance after two hours and two minutes.

Another qualifier advanced earlier in the day when Yannick Hanfmann ousted defending champion Pedro Martinez 6-2, 6-0.

“The match went well. It was a pretty clear scoreline, but I think it was a little bit closer. There were a few really long games,” Hanfmann said. “Obviously playing qualies gave me a little bit of confidence.”

One year ago in Santiago, Martinez defeated Hanfmann 6-2, 6-2 in the Santiago quarter-finals.

“He beat me pretty bad last year in the quarters, so I was able to return the favour in the first round here,” Hanfmann said. “That’s how it is. Tennis is brutal sometimes.”

Home favourite Alejandro Tabilo put forth a courageous effort on Cancha Central, but Spaniard Jaume Munar clawed past the Chilean 6-0, 6-7(4), 7-6(5) after two hours and 42 minutes.

Munar converted six of his eight break points to move into the second round. The 25-year-old will next play top seed Lorenzo Musetti.

Italian qualifier Riccardo Bonadio earned his first tour-level victory with a 6-3, 7-6(5) win against Colombian Daniel Elahi Galan. Bonadio, a 29-year-old, is the No. 182 player in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings.

Did You Know?
Dominic Thiem and Fabio Fognini played mini tennis before the start of the Movistar Chile Open. Both Top 10 stars are scheduled to compete Tuesday.

^{Photo Credit: Aljaro/Binder}