Molchanov/Rublev Win Through To Marseille QFs
Denys Molchanov and Andrey Rublev upset fourth seeds Jonny O'Mara and David Vega Hernandez 3-6, 7-6(4), 10-6 in the first round of the Open 13 Provence in Marseille on Tuesday.
The Ukrainian-Russian pairing saved four break points in a tight second set to force a Match Tie-break, winning it 10-6 to set a quarter-final clash with French pairing Benjamin Bonzi and Albano Olivetti.
Another pair of ATP Tour singles stars enjoyed a successful day on the doubles court at the Rio Open presented by Claro, as Carlos Alcaraz and Pablo Carreno Busta came out on top in a tense encounter with Argentine pairing Maximo Gonzalez and Diego Schwartzman.
The Spaniards were outplayed in the first set but after levelling they took the Match Tie-break 10-7 to set a potential quarter-final meeting with top seeds Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos.
Top-ranked Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic enjoyed a winning start to their Qatar ExxonMobil Open campaign as they saw off Jonathan Erlich and Lloyd Harris 6-3, 7-5.
The Croatian pair was searching for only its second ATP Tour win of 2022, but stepped up at key moments against Erlich and Harris, saving four out of five break points to set a quarter-final clash with Mackenzie McDonald and Botic van de Zandschulp.
At the only match of the day at the Delray Beach Open by VITACOST.com, fourth seeds Luke Saville and John-Patrick Smith enjoyed a comfortable victory over Peter Gojowczyk and Oscar Otte, the Australians running out 6-3, 6-0 winners.