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The fierce lefty serve of Dominic Stricker proved crucial to the outcome of an all-#NextGenATP clash Tuesday at the EFG Swiss Open Gstaad, where the home favourite edged Arthur Fils 7-6(4), 7-6(4).
The 20-year-old Stricker won 82 per cent (36/44) of points behind his first delivery to hold off his French rival in one-hour, 44-minutes. It was a first ATP Tour victory of the season for the Swiss, who arrived at the Alpine clay-court ATP 250 at a career-high No. 106 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings.
With his victory, Stricker solidified seventh place in the Pepperstone ATP Live Next Gen Race. The 19-year-old Fils remains in fourth, as both chase a spot at the season-ending Next Gen ATP Finals. Stricker, who reached the semi-finals at the 21-and-under event last year, next plays second seed Miomir Kecmanovic in his homeland.
Stricker’s countyman Stan Wawrinka also reached the second round in Gstaad. The former World No. 3 led Roberto Carballes Baena 6-1, 3-1 when the Spanish sixth seed was forced to retire.
Wawrinka is competing in Gstaad for the first time since 2013. The 38-year-old, who reached the final in the Swiss Alps in 2005, will play Jaume Munar in the second round.
In other Tuesday action, South American trio Facundo Bagnis, Pedro Cachin and Juan Pablo Varillas all enjoyed first-round victories. Argentine qualifier Bagnis battled past Arthur Rinderknech 6-2, 2-6, 6-3 for his first ATP Tour win on clay since July 2022. The 33-year-old next meets Varillas, who eased past Otto Virtanen 6-2, 6-3.
Bagnis’ countryman Cachin beat Taro Daniel 6-4, 6-1 to set a second-round meeting with top seed Roberto Bautista Agut, while Albert Ramos-Vinolas outlasted wild card Fabio Fognini 6-1, 2-6, 6-2 to book a showdown with Lorenzo Sonego.
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