Three-time champion Victor Estrella Burgos survived a scare in the first round to defeat Brazil’s Thomas Bellucci 4-6, 6-4, 6-2, at the Ecuador Open in Quito.
The world No.86 is dubbed the ‘king of Quito’ for his unbeaten run at the tournament since making his debut in 2015. Taking on Bellucci, who was playing his first match since serving a five-month doping ban, Estrella Burgos was pushed to his limits. Fighting back from a set down to win after almost two hours of play.
“I knew what I was facing, thank God I could raise the level in the second set and there I had the key to win. The third set I played impeccably.” Said the sixth seed.
“I am very happy to play in Quito again. It’s a special city, I feel comfortable.
“I hope to continue playing at this level.”
Hitting five aces and winning 70% of the points behind his first serve, Estrella Burgos has recorded his first tour win of the season. It follows first round losses in Doha and at the Australian Open. The 37-year-old will next play either Gerald Melzer or Marco Cecchinato.
Joining the reigning champion in the second round are two members of the Next Generation contingent. France’s Corentin Moutet has won his first ever main draw match on the ATP Tour. The 18-year-old overcame a second set wobble to defeat Adrian Menendez-Maceiras 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-2. Moutet failed to serve the match out when leading 6-4, 5-4, but managed to secure the win with a trio of breaks in the decider.
“I’m really happy. It was a really good match,” Moutet told atpworldtour.com. “I’m really happy to win, but I’m really happy because I played a good match and I had a tough opponent who was playing really good.”
Awaiting the teenager in the second round will be either second seed Ivo Karlovic or Ernesto Escobedo.
Norway’s Casper Ruud dropped just seven points behind his first serve as he eased his way past Carlos Berlocq 7-5, 6-0. The 19-year-old is currently ranked 122nd in the world and recently reached the second round of the Australian Open as a qualifier. Ruud will next face second seed Gael Monfils in Quito.
