Ben Shelton and Alex de Minaur faced challenging first-round battles at the Hamburg Open, both requiring three sets to advance in Germany. Shelton, ranked sixth globally and seeded second in Hamburg, defeated Marcos Giron 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(3). This victory marked Shelton’s first win since his Munich title last month, with Giron pushing him to a decisive set before Shelton clinched the win in a tie-break.
Meanwhile, third seed de Minaur fought back from a set down to overcome Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina 3-6, 6-4, 6-3. This win broke a three-match losing streak for the Australian as he enters the final phase of the clay-court season. Home fans celebrated wins by German players Daniel Altmaier and Yannick Hanfmann, while Argentina’s Tomas Martin Etcheverry and Camilo Ugo Carabelli also progressed. Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and Czech newcomer Jakub Mensik were among the first-day winners.
In the Geneva Open, veteran Swiss player Stan Wawrinka secured a thrilling 6-2, 4-6, 7-6(5) victory over Italy’s Raul Brancaccio. The 41-year-old wild card triumphed in a tense tie-break in the final set, becoming the oldest player to win an ATP Tour clay-court match since Jimmy Connors in 1994. Greek wild card Stefanos Tsitsipas advanced after a tough match, finally defeating France’s Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 6-4, 7-6(8) after some struggle in the second-set tie-break.
Additionally, fifth seed Arthur Rinderknech progressed, alongside unseeded players Alex Michelsen, Lithuania’s Edas Butvilas, and the Argentine duo Mariano Navone and Francisco Comesana.
