03.06.2024 18:41:23 | The 31st edition of the traditional UniCredit Czech Open got underway on the clay courts of the Prostėjov Tennis Club. The biggest Czech challenger saw three seeded players play their first matches. Among the advancing players is the top-seeded Laslo Djere of Serbia, who defeated Timofey Skatov of Kazakhstan 6-4, 6-2 in straight sets.
First to appear on the courts were the qualification finalists. They included two Czech players who clashed for a spot in the main draw: Martin Krumich lost 2-6, 6-7 to Jerome Kym of Switzerland but will play the first round as a "lucky loser," and Michael Vrbensky advanced directly to the main draw. The second-seeded qualifier easily defeated Bogdan Bobrov of Russia 6-1, 6-4. "My only weak moment occurred during the first match point at 5-2 in the second set. But I dictated the pace of the game most of the time," said Vrbensky.
Andrew Paulson, a wild card holder, has already advanced to the second round after defeating Alibek Kachmazov 6:4, 4:6, 6:4 in two hours and fifteen minutes. In the third set he was leading 5:2, then lost his serve but still managed to win the match. "It was very tough, but I felt I had more strength in the third set. I'm glad I was able to make use the wild card," said Paulson.
The second day of the tournament will feature both Czech seeded players: last year's defending champion Dalibor Svrcina will challenge Valentin Royer of France in the fourth match on the Centre Court, and Vit Kopriva, who triumphed in Prostėjov in 2022, will face Stefano Travaglia of Italy. His match in Prostėjov Arena will not start before 2 pm. Tuesday's program will start at 10 o'clock with Jiri Vesely and Lukas Neumayer of Austria.
