With 723,435 euros in total prize money, the Stockholm Open saw Argentine competitors Tomás Etcheverry and Juan Manuel Cerúndolo depart this Tuesday.
Etcheverry withdrew from his match against compatriot Thiago Tirante due to a left soleus muscle injury sustained the previous week at the Paris Masters. The player from La Plata opted against risking a major injury after playing with tape during his opening victory over local wildcard Max Dahlin.
That withdrawal sent Tirante directly into the quarterfinals. Tirante reaches his sixth ATP Tour quarterfinal, his fifth of the season and his second on hard courts following a run in Cincinnati last August.
Earlier on the central court, left-hander Juan Manuel Cerúndolo fell to American opponent Alex Michelsen 6-3, 6-2 in 1h16m. Cerúndolo, ranked 54th, had a 2-8 record against top-50 opponents on hard courts this year.
Etcheverry arrived in the Swedish capital accompanied by coach Waly Grinóvero carrying lingering physical issues. The discomfort in his left soleus originated during his match against Rinky Hijikata at the Paris Masters.
Etcheverry finished his season with 29 wins and 29 losses, highlighted by his first ATP title at the Rio de Janeiro 500 and a ranking of 25th.
Tirante advances to face either Casper Ruud or Aleksandr Shevchenko on Thursday. Tirante sits at 49th in the live rankings following his progression.
Cerúndolo fell to the 35th-ranked Michelsen during their encounter on the main court. The American defeated the Argentine 6-3, 6-2.
Despite the defeat, Cerúndolo secured his first ATP Tour success on indoor hard courts earlier in the week by defeating local wildcard Elias Ymer. He began the year ranked 85th.
The Stockholm Open is the oldest indoor ATP tournament in the world, having started in 1969 with past champions including Bjorn Borg, John McEnroe, and Roger Federer. The event occupies the 45th week of the 47-week tennis calendar.
Action continues on Thursday with Tirante taking the court for the quarterfinals.
