Home Hope Stricker Serves Past Fils In Gstaad #NextGenATP Battle
The fierce lefty serve of Dominic Stricker proved crucial to the outcome of an all-#NextGenATP clash Tuesday at the EFG Swiss Open Gstaad, where the home favourite edged Arthur Fils 7-6(4), 7-6(4).
The 20-year-old Stricker won 82 per cent (36/44) of points behind his first delivery to hold off his French rival in one-hour, 44-minutes. It was a first ATP Tour victory of the season for the Swiss, who arrived at the Alpine clay-court ATP 250 at a career-high No. 106 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings.
With his victory, Stricker solidified seventh place in the Pepperstone ATP Live Next Gen Race. The 19-year-old Fils remains in fourth, as both chase a spot at the season-ending Next Gen ATP Finals. Stricker, who reached the semi-finals at the 21-and-under event last year, next plays second seed Miomir Kecmanovic in his homeland.
Stricker’s countyman Stan Wawrinka also reached the second round in Gstaad. The former World No. 3 led Roberto Carballes Baena 6-1, 3-1 when the Spanish sixth seed was forced to retire.
Wawrinka is competing in Gstaad for the first time since 2013. The 38-year-old, who reached the final in the Swiss Alps in 2005, will play Jaume Munar in the second round.
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In other Tuesday action, South American trio Facundo Bagnis, Pedro Cachin and Juan Pablo Varillas all enjoyed first-round victories. Argentine qualifier Bagnis battled past Arthur Rinderknech 6-2, 2-6, 6-3 for his first ATP Tour win on clay since July 2022. The 33-year-old next meets Varillas, who eased past Otto Virtanen 6-2, 6-3.
Bagnis’ countryman Cachin beat Taro Daniel 6-4, 6-1 to set a second-round meeting with top seed Roberto Bautista Agut, while Albert Ramos-Vinolas outlasted wild card Fabio Fognini 6-1, 2-6, 6-2 to book a showdown with Lorenzo Sonego.
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