Spanish tennis player Alejandro Davidovich Fokina kept his country’s hopes alive at the Vanda Pharmaceuticals Mallorca Championships on Wednesday, defeating Australian qualifier Adam Walton 6-4, 7-5 to book his place in the quarterfinals of the tournament held in Mallorca, Spain.
The second-seeded Davidovich Fokina wrapped up the victory in 87 minutes, surrendering only eight points on his serve throughout the match. It marks the first time he has reached the quarterfinals at Mallorca. His next opponent will be Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov, who dispatched Jordanian lucky loser Abdullah Shelbayh 6-2, 6-4 in the day’s final singles contest.
Dimitrov, who entered the tournament as a wild card, has now strung together back-to-back wins at the tour level for the first time this season. The former world No. 3 set up what will be his third career meeting with Davidovich Fokina — with the Spaniard having won both of their previous encounters.
Elsewhere in Wednesday’s action at Mallorca, Czech player Vit Kopriva eliminated fifth-seeded Ignacio Buse of Peru 7-5, 6-1, while American Ethan Quinn outlasted fellow countryman Murphy Cassone 6-3, 6-7 (4), 6-3. Quinn and Kopriva will square off in the quarterfinals for a berth in the semifinals.
At the Lexus Eastbourne Open in Eastbourne, England, Canada’s Gabriel Diallo turned in an impressive comeback performance on Wednesday, overcoming fourth-seeded Tomas Martin Etcheverry of Argentina 6-7 (11), 6-3, 6-2 to reach the quarterfinals. After dropping a lengthy opening-set tiebreak, Diallo took firm control of the match, conceding just five games across the final two sets.
Diallo will next face Britain’s Jack Draper, who defeated fellow Briton Jack Pinnington Jones 7-5, 6-4. Draper, returning to competition for the first time since April following a knee injury, stumbled while serving for the first set at 5-4 but regrouped to win the next two games and close out the set. He then finished off the second set more comfortably, completing his victory in one hour and 30 minutes.
Sixth-seeded Ugo Humbert also punched his ticket to the quarterfinals, rolling past American Jenson Brooksby 6-3, 6-2. Humbert will face French compatriot Quentin Halys, who defeated British qualifier Giles Hussey 6-1, 7-5. In other results, eighth-seeded Juan Manuel Cerundolo of Argentina topped British wild card Arthur Fery 6-2, 7-6 (2); Belgium’s Zizou Bergs advanced after Germany’s Daniel Altmaier retired from their match while trailing 6-3, 3-2; and British qualifier Jan Choinski beat fellow Briton Felix Gill 6-4, 6-7 (4), 6-2.
