Lorenzo Sonego battled past Federico Delbonis 7-6 (7-4) 6-7 (4-7) 7-6 (7-4) in 3 hours and 36 minutes after saving eight match points in a marathon clash at the Generali Open in Kitzbuhel.
Sonego, who reached the quarter final in Monte-Carlo this year, fended off all eight break points he faced in the third set.
Sonego came back from 0-4 down to win the tie-break of the first set 7-4. Delbonis earned four match points in the tenth game of the third set. Sonego fended off four more match points before clinching the tie-break 7-4 on his first match point.
Sonego set up a second round match against Spain’s Roberto Carballes Baena, who won their three previous head-to-head matches. Baena came back from one set down to beat Hugo Dellien 3-6 6-3 6-2 after 1 hour and 4 minutes.
Jeremy Chardy beat Marco Cecchinato 7-6 (10-8) 7-5 winning his second head-to-head match against the Italian player. Cecchinato came back from 1-5 down to force the first set to the tie-break. He did not convert four set points before losing the tie-break 10-8. Cecchinato went up a break twice in the second set and led 5-3 but Chardy fought back by winning the final four games to clinch the second set 7-5.
Matthias Bachinger battled past Martin Klizan 7-6 (7-5) 6-7 (5-7) 7-6 (7-4) after 2 hours and 58 minutes setting up a second round match against either Pablo Carreno Busta or Casper Ruud.
Dennis Novak beat Jurij Rodionov 6-3 6-4 to secure his spot in the second round where he will face Pablo Cuevas.
