Pablo Carreno Busta was one of four Spanish players that was triumphant on the first day of the Ecuador Open in Quito.
Carreno Busta, the eight seed in the tournament, started his campaign against Brazilian world No.115 Rogério Dutra Silva. The Spaniard was too strong for Silva as he cruised to a 6-3, 6-1, win in just under an hour. During his opening match, Carreno Busta produced 3 aces and won 84% of his first service points. The 24-year-old is bidding to win his first title on the ATP Tour.
Albert Montañés required almost two hours in his first round match against Slovakian qualifier Jozef Kovalik. Montanes, who is remembered best for defeating Roger Federer at the 2010 Portugal Open, battled to the 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 victory. The biggest issue for the world No.114 in his first round triumph was the difference between his first and second service winning rate. Despite winning 82% of his first serves, the 35-year-old won just 47% of his second. Awaiting Montanes in the second round will be third seed Thomaz Bellucci. It will be the second successive year that Montanes has played the Brazilian in Ecuador. In 2015 he lost to Silva in straight sets.
Another Spanish player who endured a tough opening match was Íñigo Cervantes. Playing former world No.65 Pere Riba, Cervantes lost the first set tiebreak before winning 6-7(6), 6-3, 6-3, after two hours and five minutes of play. The victory is Cervantes first main draw win on the ATP Tour this year. Last month the 26-year-old lost in the first round of qualifying at the Qatar Open followed by first round exits in Brisbane and at the Australian Open.
Finally, Roberto Carballés Baena has set up a showdown with top seed Bernard Tomic. The world No.129 produced nine aces and won 77% of his service points during his 6-4, 6-3, win over America’s Austin Krajicek. Baena is currently ranked 34 places below the American.
