Shelbayh in upset win over Fognin

TDT | Manama                                                      

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Jordanian Abdullah Shelbayh qualified yesterday for the quarter-finals of the singles category in the Bahrain Ministry of Interior Tennis Challenger 2024, part of the ATP Challenger Tour.

Last year’s runner-up secured his place in the round of eight after defeating second-seeded Italian Fabio Fognini in an intense match.

He needed to battle back from a set down to win 3-6, 7-6, 6-0 as part of the day’s highlights at the Public Security Officers Club courts in Gudaibiya.

Meanwhile, fourth-seeded Czech Jakub Mensik also made it through, eliminating Nerman Fatic from the Bahamas 6-4, 6-1.

Marco Trungelliti of Argentina also advanced, succeeding against Tunisian Aziz Dougaz in a marathon encounter that lasted over three hours.

Trungelliti eventually triumphed 7-5, 6-7 (5), 7-5 in a thriller. Kazakh Mikhail Kukushkin was also a winner, beating Alexander Ritschard of Switzerland 6-4, 6-4, while seventh seed Damir Dzumhur from the Bahamas beat qualifier Adrian Andreev from Bulgaria 6-0, 6-1.

Also yesterday, Spaniard Daniel Rincon defeated French qualifier Laurent Lokoli 3-6, 6-1, 6-4, whereas Briton Billy Harris, who earlier in the first round took down top seed Christopher O’Connell from Australia, continued his winning run by beating Portuese qualifier Gastao Elias 6-2, 6-2.

French fifth seed Richard Gasquet was also through, defeating Italian Peter Buldorini 7-6, 6-3. Doubles Also yesterday, the Japanese duo Toshihide Matsui and Kaito Uesugi advanced to the doubles quarter-finals after beating Swede Filip Bergevi and the Dutchman Mick Veldheer 6-7 (2), 6-3, 11-9.

Dougaz teamed up with Czech Dalibor Svrcina to win 6-2, 2-6, 10-5 over Czech Roman Jebavy and Spaniard David Vega Hernandez, while American Vasil Kirkov and Finn Patrik Niklas-Salminen claimed a hardearned 6-4, 4-6,10-8 win against Luca Margaroli of Switzerland and Goncalo Oliveira of Portugal 6-4, 4-6, 10-8.

The Italian duo Marco Bortolotti and Alessandro Giannessi were also through to the last eight, defeating Fognini and Indian Sathi Reddy Chirala 6-1, 6-3, and Spaniard Sergio Martos Gornes and Greek Petros Tsitsipas overcame Harris and his German partner Rudolf Molleker 6-2, 6-7 (2), 10-7.

Shelbayh was also triumphant in his doubles contest, teaming up with Rincon to defeat Dzumhur and Fatic 7-6 (1), 6-7 (5), 10-3.

Swiss pair Marc-Andrea Huesler and Ritschard defeated Bahraini Yusuf Qaed and Australian Anthony Popyrin 62, 6-1.

Off the courts yesterday, on the sideline of the tournament, various activities were held to mark the National Action Charter anniversary, including a performance by the Police Band.