European Open: 20-year-old Lajal makes dream debut, defeating Munar in first match

Estonian Mark Lajal defeated Spaniard Jaume Munar 6-3, 6-4 to move into the second round of the European Open at the Lotto Arena in Antwerp on Monday afternoon.

The 20-year-old was playing his first ever ATP Tour-level match, and it took the wildcard just 68 minutes to claim victory over world No 83 Munar. Lajal’s win came off the back of an aggressive game and some big serving, with the Estonian striking eight aces and winning 85 percent of first serves, plus making a total of 22 winners to four unforced errors.

Lajal, ranked No 229, will face No 4 seed Arthur Fils next in an exciting NextGen clash.

Antwerp ATP250, other first-round results (Lotto Arena, EUR 673.630, most recent results first):

• Nuno Borges vs. Dominik Koepfer
• Dominic Stricker vs. Botic van de Zandschulp
• Luca Nardi vs. Dominic Thiem
• Alexander Blockx vs. Yannick Hanfmann
• Richard Gasquet vs. Maximilian Marterer
• Fabian Marozsan vs. Juan Pablo Varillas
• Benjamin Bonzi vs. Alexander Shevchenko
• Roberto Carballes Baena vs. Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard
• David Goffin vs. Quentin Halys
• Arthur Rinderknech vs. Hugo Gaston
• Gregoire Barrere beat Daniel Elahi Galan: 6-1, 7-6 (5)