Ymer Wins #NextGenATP Battle In Bastad

Twenty-year-old Mikael Ymer was on the brink of defeat at the Swedish Open on Monday, but the home favourite battled past fellow #NextGenATP player Alejandro Davidovich Fokina of Spain 4-6, 7-5, 6-0 after two hours and eight minutes.

Only four spots separate World No. 124 Ymer and No. 128 Davidovich Fokina in the ATP Rankings, but it appeared the Spaniard had the edge, winning the first set and taking a break advantage on three separate occasions in the second set. But the Swede thrilled his home crowd, winning nine consecutive games, after Davidovich failed to serve out the match at 5-4, to triumph.

Ymer won 51 per cent of his return points, and saved five of the nine break points he faced. The wild card will next face fifth seed Nicolas Jarry or Switzerland’s Henri Laaksonen. Ymer, who is currently placed 10th in the ATP Race To Milan, is trying to make a move at this week’s ATP 250 clay-court tournament to gain more points in pursuit of a spot at the Next Gen ATP Finals in Milan.

In other action, Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena beat countryman Jaume Munar 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 after two hours and 20 minutes. The 26-year-old will play seventh seed Casper Ruud or three-time ATP Tour champion Damir Dzumhur for a spot in the quarter-finals.

There were two doubles matches on Monday, with Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen ousting Sander Arends and David Pel 6-7(5), 7-6(2), 10-5. Also advancing was the team of Pablo Carreno Busta and Joao Sousa, which beat Romain Arneodo/Dzumhur 7-6(4), 6-2.