Roberto Carballés Baena wants to be strong in Hangzhou | ATP Tour

Hangzhou

Carballés Baena confirms his great form of play in Hangzhou

The Spaniard is seeking his third ATP Tour title this week

September 19, 2024

Roberto Carballés Baena faces the adventure of being the only Spaniard in the inaugural edition of the Hangzhou Open. In a new stop on the ATP Tour, the Granada native wants to take advantage of his experience to become one of the names of the week. This Thursday, he began the journey by defeating Frenchman Corentin Moutet 7-6(6), 6-1.

The No. 55 in the PIF ATP Rankings had to deal with one of the most unpredictable opponents on the ATP Tour, taming the versatile hand of the Frenchman in a match in which the gap between the two grew. The Spaniard recovered a break on two occasions during a first set that he ended up catching in the tiebreak. A set that ended the options of his rival, whom he dominated widely in the second set.

Now, the Spaniard will face in the second round lucky loser American Mitchell Krueger. Carballés Baena is on a six-match winning streak after capturing his 13th ATP Challenger Tour title in Seville before embarking on the Asian swing.

Yoshihito Nishioka is heading into the Asian swing as a heavyweight on the ATP Tour. Being the Japanese No. 1 makes him one of the most sought-after faces this week at the Hangzhou Open, where he hopes to take his game to the top flight. The Asian made his debut on Tuesday by defeating German Maximilian Marterer 6-4, 6-2, achieving victory without facing a break point.

The No. 54 in the PIF ATP Rankings is looking to extend his love affair with a season full of fond memories. Nishioka opened his ATP Tour honours list in 2018 by winning the Shenzhen trophy and added to his collection by winning Seoul in 2022, confirming his strength on the continent. The Japanese, runner-up in Zhuhai last year, is seeking his second title of 2024 after winning Atlanta in July.

Before thinking about bigger goals, Nishioka will play the next round against Croatian wild card Marin Cilic, champion of the US Open in 2014.

Local hopes were lifted by Bu Yunchaokete, who claimed his first ATP Tour win of the season with a 7-5, 6-3 victory over Hugo Gaston. Bu has won two ATP Challenger Tour titles in 2024 and made it through US Open qualifying, falling to Casper Ruud in the first round.

The 22-year-old Chinese player will face a demanding match in the second round against Karen Khachanov.

In other matches, Australian Rinky Hijikata defeated Damir Dzumhur 2-6, 7-6(6), 6-2. He will next face seventh seed Fabian Marozsan. Also, Alexander Shevchenko defeated Argentine Marco Trungelliti 6-1, 6-1 to advance to the second round.