Ruben Bemelmans fell just short of a stunt in his first match at the European Open on Sunday. Bemelmans lost in three sets to Frenchman Geoffrey Blancaneaux (ATP-147), so it was his last match in the singles. The other Belgians, Yannick Mertens and Alexander Blockx did their best but could not finish their match victoriously. It was also announced this evening that Andy Murray will not participate at the European Open, more info is not available for now.
Ruben Bemelmans started his last tournament as a player. He is entering both singles and doubles. However, Sunday evening became his final singles tournament. The 24-year-old Frenchman Geoffrey Blancaneaux won in three sets. In the first set Bemelmans was able to run out immediately to 1-4, but Blancaneaux fought back to a draw. Bemelmans put all his experience to work and won the first set 4-6. In the second set, the Frenchman took the lead. He quickly ran out to 3-1 and it eventually became 6-3. In the decisive set, it was 1-2 in favour of the farewell saying Bemelmans, but Blancaneaux took over and climbed to a 4-2 lead. Bemelmans still fought back to 4-3, but Blancaneaux finally pulled the sheet to himself 6-3.
Yannick Mertens (ATP-840) failed to qualify for the second qualifying round at the European Open. He went down fighting in three sets against 22-year-old Dutchman Jesper De Jong (ATP-225). Mertens lost the first set 3-6. In the second set he turned the tables: 6-3. But the experienced Belgian did not steam ahead. In the decisive set it ended 6-1.
Alexander Blockx (17) was also unable to qualify for the next round. The Belgian talent lost in two sets to 20-year-old Dominic Stricker (ATP-139). Blockx, who reached the quarterfinals in the juniors at the US Open, showed bouts of his class. But Stricker went straight through the young Belgian’s serve. Blockx battled back, but still had to leave the first set to the Swiss 6-4. In the second set, both youngsters kept pace, but after six break points Stricker went through Blockx’s serve at a 3-3 score. The Swiss finished it off 6-4.
The Flemish government joins hands with the city of Antwerp through EventFlanders to make this top event possible. EventFlanders operates within Tourism Flanders, but is a collaboration between Tourism Flanders, the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Culture, Youth and Media and Sport Vlaanderen.