Already a finalist in Kazakhstan in 2020, Adrian Mannarino (34th in the world) qualified this Thursday for the second round of the ATP 250 in Astana by dominating Arthur Rinderknech (66th), 7-6 (4), 6-2 in 1h55. He will face in the next round the winner of the match between Corentin Moutet (119th) and the Russian qualifier Alibek Kachmazov (315th).
Rinderknech missed too many chances to claim victory. He thus missed six break points out of seven. Mannarino was more realistic by converting three out of nine.
The match was played first in the tie-break, where “Manna” scored a backhand winner at 4-3 to take the lead. Then at 1-0 in the second set, where a forehand passing gave him the break (2-0). Finally, at 3-1, where he saved a break point thanks to a superb outside slice serve. Rinderknech had just missed his last opportunity.
