Today the last four qualifying matches of the European Open were completed and the first matches of the main draw were played. The tournament has now really started and the public was already present in large numbers at the Lotto Arena.
Tallon Griekspoor (ATP-213), Ilya Ivashka (ATP-97), Sergiy Stakhovsky (ATP-150) and Marcel Granollers (ATP-95) were able to secure a ticket for the main draw.
On that main draw Vasek Pospisil (ATP-79) already qualified for the second round by defeating the Argentine Leonardo Mayer (ATP-53) with 6-3 and 7-5. The 37-year-old Feliciano Lopez (ATP-70) surprisingly beat Next Gen talent Frances Tiafoe (ATP-45) in two sets. The crowd, which still enjoyed the Spaniard’s talent, saw a first seed tumble. Also the Czech Jiri Vesely (ATP-93) and Mackenzie McDonald (ATP-84) qualified for the second round.
The first doubles teams also came into action today. The third seeds from the Netherlands, Robin Haase (ATP D-33) and Matwe Middelkoop (ATP D-34), got the victory after a real thriller against Diego Schwartzman (ATP D-101) and Guido Pella (ATP D-136): 6-7 (5), 7-6 (5) and 13-11.
Finally, today was Senior and School Day. All seniors could enjoy a discount on their entrance ticket. Several Antwerp schools were also present. In the past few weeks they have been working on the theme tennis and they visited the tournament.
Super Tuesday
On Tuesday October 16th it is Super Tuesday at the European Open and the match of Ruben Bemelmans (ATP-110) is on the schedule (second match after 6.30 PM). The Limburger is the only Belgian on the main draw and made it to the semi-final at the European Open last year. He will immediately compete against the French sixth seed, Gaël Monfils (ATP-38).
Do you want to experience Super Tuesday live and up close? This is possible if you click here!