Injury-stricken Pablo Andujar has ended his losing run on the ATP Tour with a 7-5, 6-2, win over Austria’s Gerald Melzer at the Rio Open.
The former world No.32 is in the process of a comeback after what has been a troublesome past couple of years. He has undergone three surgeries on his elbow during the past two-and-a-half years. Resulting in him falling down the ATP Emirates rankings to 1821st in the world.
Taking on world No.110 Melzer, Andujar broke his opponent five times during the match and won 70% of his first service points. It was a performance that brought the Spaniard to tears moments after the match ended. As he claimed his first tour win since the 2016 Doha Open.
“It was very nice, very special, after so much time, so much work, so many doctors, so many hours of recovery, feeling that in the end you win a game … I started to cry.” Andujar told EFE.
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The 32-year-old is a three-time winner on the ATP Tour, claiming his last title at the 2014 Swiss Open. He was able to enter the Rio draw with the help of his protected ranking. Last year Andujar was only able to play three matches, but all of those were in Futures tournaments in his home country.
Reflecting on his most significant win in some time, the Spaniard believes it is one that he deserved.
“For me it’s very important, I’ve been working hard to come back and win a game like that, after so long without being able to get the maximum, I think I deserved the victory.” He said.
Thiem awaits
In the second round Andujar will take on defending champion Dominic Thiem. Thiem, who is seeded second in the draw, overcame Dusan Lajovic 7-5, 6-2. Extending his winning run on South American clay to ten following his triumph in Rio last year and his recent victory at the Argentine Open.
“The main thing today is that I won,” Thiem told atpworldtour.com.
The upcoming meeting will be the second time the two have faced each other in Rio. The first meeting took place in 2016 when Thiem claimed a 6-3, 6-4, win. Andujar hasn’t defeated a top 10 player since David Ferrer at the 2015 Barcelona Open.
Another player booking their place in the second round is Gael Monfils. The Frenchman battled past Argentina’s Horacio Zeballos 6-5, 3-6, 7-5. He sealed the win by winning the final five games of the match.
“It was a tough match for me,” Monfils said. “I never stopped believing and definitely had a huge help with the crowd. The crowd was amazing tonight.”
Monfils will play top seed Marin Cilic next.
