On the first day of the European Open, the main focus was on our compatriots Michael Geerts (ATP-337), Gilles-Arnaud Bailly (ATP-622) and Emilien Demanet (ATP-650). The three Belgians will try to secure a place on the main table through the qualifiers. In addition, the Ethias NextGen Day, an inspiration day for promising youngsters, was also a hit!
It was our compatriot Michael Geerts who had the chance to kick off on Center Court against Frenchman Manuel Guinard (ATP-287). Both players kept each other in balance for a long time, yet it was the Frenchman who won the first set with his powerful shots. He won the tiebreak 7-4. In the second set we got the same pattern of play, with both players not giving each other an inch. Yet again it was Guinard who troubled our compatriot and took the second set. With this defeat (6-7, 4-6), the 29-year-old from Antwerp has no choice but to shift his focus to the doubles.
Second Belgian in action today was young Emilien Demanet, who faced the second-seeded Brazilian Thiago Seyboth Wild (ATP-88). With his youthful enthusiasm and precise shots, the 19-year-old talent not only sparked belief in himself, but also the Lotto Arena started to believe in a stunt. With style, our compatriot took the first set 7-5. As if the stress slipped off him, the young Belgian, who was admitted to the tournament with a wildcard and was making his debut on the ATP circuit, offered solid resistance. Yet it was the Brazilian Wild who managed to even the boards in a decisive tiebreak and on experience. In the third set, our compatriot still competed nicely, but eventually had to lose 5-7, 7- 6, 6-4. A great match from our compatriot, who thus made his mark.
Then it was the turn of Gilles-Arnaud Bailly (ATP-622) who took on the experienced Pierre-Hugues Hubert (ATP-123). The Frenchman, who has been in the final of an ATP tournament four times, was not underwhelmed and after an exciting tiebreak had to let the first set to our Belgian. In the second set, Bailly steamed through and managed to clinch victory. Nice win by our compatriot (7-6, 6-3)!