BNP Paribas Nordic Open—Stockholm, Sweden
Wawrinka Wins in Stockholm; Muchova Advances in Ningbo
Former three-time Major winner Stan Wawrinka reached the second round of the Stockholm Open on Wednesday in Sweden, defeating inform American Brandon Nakashima 6-4, 6-4.
Needing one hour and 20 minutes to progress, Wawrinka hit four aces, won 88 percent of his first serve points and broke serve on two occasions.
Adding 25 winners to his total, Wawrinka advanced to the second round in one hour and 21 minutes.
The 39-year-old will next face Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, who was a winner earlier in the day over Thiago Agustin Tirante 7-6(2). 6-2.
Still to come on Wednesday, No. 2 seed Casper Ruud, No. 4 seed Tommy Paul and former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini will be in action.
Tabilo Advances at Almaty Open
No. 2 seed Alejandro Tabilo cruised into the quarterfinals of the Almaty Open in Kazakhstan on Wednesday, defeating Maximilian Marterer 6-2, 6-4.
The Chilean will next face Canadian Gabriel Diallo for a place in the semifinals. Diallo upset former Cincinnati Open winner Borna Coric 7-6(1), 6-4.
Other results on the day saw No. 4 seed Francisco Cerundolo, No. 5 seed Tomas MacHac and Aleksandar Vukic all reach the round of 16.
Thursday’s action in Almaty will feature top seed Frances Tiafoe.
Bautista Agut Wins in Antwerp
Former top 10 player Roberto Bautista Agut turned back the clock in Antwerp, Belgium on Wednesday, dismissing No. 6 seed Tomas Martin Etcheverry 7-6(2), 6-4.
The 36-year-old will next face either No. 3 seed Felix Auguer-Aliassime or Marton Fucsovics for a semifinal spot.
Other results on the day saw Daniel Altmaier oust Gilles Arnaud Bailly 6-4, 6-3.
No. 2 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas will be in action against Thiago Seyboth Wild on Thursday.
*****
Ningbo Open—China
US Open semifinalist Karolina Muchova continued her strong return to action on Wednesday in Ningbo, China, defeating Olivia Gadecki 6-4, 7-5.
The all-court player from Czechia won 83 percent of her first serve points, broke serve on five occasions and hit 1 ace.
The 28-year-old will next face lucky loser Jacqueline Christian for a place in the quarterfinals.
Other winners on the day included No. 5 seed Daria Kasatkina, Mirra Andreeva and Yulia Putintseva.
No. 8 seed Paula Badosa will be in actin later on Wednesday against Xiyu Wang from China.
Cocciaretto Upset in Osaka
No. 8 seed Elisabetta Cocciaretto was defeated in the round of 16 of the Kinoshita Group Japan Open in Osaka on Wednesday, losing to local star Aoi Ito 6-4, 6-3.
Ito will next face Eva Lys, who dismissed Mccartney Kessler of the United States 7-6(7), 3-6, 7-5.
Other winners on the day included Clara Tauson and Suzan Lamens.
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