Slovakia’s Alex Molcan delivered a stunning performance Wednesday, defeating Canada’s top-seeded Gabriel Diallo 6-2, 6-2 in second-round action at the Tiriac Open in Bucharest, Romania. The victory marked Molcan’s return to ATP Tour competition for the first time since 2024.
The 28-year-old Molcan has experienced a dramatic slide in the world rankings, dropping from his peak position of 38th four years ago down to 189th entering this week’s tournament. Despite his lower ranking, Molcan demonstrated clutch play when it mattered most, successfully defending six of seven break point opportunities against Diallo.
Other notable results from Bucharest included Portugal’s fourth-seeded Nuno Borges suffering an elimination, losing 7-6 (1), 6-4 to Damir Dzumhur from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Argentina’s seventh-seeded Mariano Navone dominated Denmark’s Elmer Moller with a convincing 6-2, 6-1 victory, while the Netherlands’ eighth-seeded Botic Van De Zandschulp overcame Kazakhstan’s Alexander Shevchenko 7-5, 6-1.
At the U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship in Houston, defending titlist Ben Shelton began his campaign with a hard-fought 7-6 (5), 7-6 (3) triumph over China’s Zhizhen Zhang in second-round play.
The top-seeded American, who received a bye in the opening round, dominated the serve count with a 21-12 advantage in aces. Both competitors held serve throughout the entire match, with each player successfully saving one break point opportunity.
Shelton’s quarterfinal opponent will be Argentina’s Thiago Agustin Tirante, who demolished American Mackenzie McDonald 6-2, 6-0.
Two additional Argentine players secured advancement, with sixth-seeded Tomas Martin Etcheverry rallying from a set down to defeat Australia’s Alex Bolt 6-7 (5), 6-0, 6-3. Roman Andres Burruchaga also moved forward, dispatching Australia’s Adam Walton 6-2, 6-3.
The evening concluded with American fourth seed Tommy Paul mounting a comeback victory over Paraguay’s Adolfo Daniel Vallejo 3-6, 6-4, 6-4.
At the Grand Prix Hassan II in Marrakech, Morocco, Italy’s top-seeded Luciano Darderi prevailed in an all-Italian battle against Mattia Bellucci 6-4, 6-2.
Despite Bellucci’s 8-2 edge in aces, he failed to create any break point chances against Darderi’s serve. Darderi’s superior second-serve performance proved decisive, winning 14 of 17 points compared to Bellucci’s 6 of 25, while converting three of nine break opportunities.
Argentine qualifier Marco Trungelliti pulled off an upset against Poland’s fifth-seeded Kamil Majchrzak 7-6 (4), 6-3. France’s third-seeded Corentin Moutet dominated local favorite Taha Baadi of Morocco 6-0, 6-2, and sixth-seeded Vit Kopriva eliminated Serbia’s Hamad Medjedovic in three sets 6-7 (4), 7-5, 6-2.
