Sonego up and running with comfortable victory in Metz

Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego made an impressive start at the Moselle Open as the fifth seed defeated Marton Fucsovics in straight sets. 

The 26-year-old recorded his 25th win of the year on the ATP Tour on Monday, winning 6-3, 6-2 in 73 minutes while not conceding a single break point to Fucsovics. 

“I was really focused,” said Sonego. “Marton is a great player and it was a tough match. I liked my tennis and I am really happy.  

“I am confident because this year has been my best. I am now No 24 in the world, which is my best ranking. I have played my best tennis this year.” 

Eighth seed Nikolz Basilavashili defeated Gianluca Mager 6-3, 7-6 in one hour and 27 minutes to move into the second round.

Canada’s Vasek Pospisil also moved through, beating local wild card Gregoire Barrere 6-3, 6-4. 

Hubert Hurkacz is the top seed at the ATP 250 event in Metz, with local favourite Gael Monfils and three-time Grand Slam winner Andy Murray among the other stars yet to play their first match. 

In the final qualifying round, Denamrk’s Holger Rune and Frenchman Alexandre Muller were among those who secured their spots in the main draw.

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Verdasco goes down to Kecmanovic in Astana

At the Astana Open, which has the same ranking points available, Miomir Kecmanovic was a 6-4 6-2 winner over Fernando Verdasco. 

Meanwhile, seventh seed Laslo Djere had to battle hard to end a four-match losing streak on the ATP Tour. He edged into the last 16 with a grueling 6-4 3-6 6-4 win over Colombia’s Daniel Elahi Galan. 

The highest-ranked players in the tournament are Russian Aslan Karatsev and home hope Alexander Bublik. 

Second seed Bublik will start his campaign against Kecmanovic, whose victory over Verdasco was his first win since the Tokyo Olympics in July. 

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