ATP, October 26, 2024

Spanish teen standout Rafael Nadal, the number two seed, lost an epic three-set battle to Romania underdog Victor Hanescu in round one of the qualifying on Saturday [at the TMS Paris].

The 22-year-old Hanescu outlasted his 17-year-old opponent 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (7/3) in over two hours. His foe in the final round on Sunday will be France's Antony Dupuis, a tough three-set victor over Irakli Labadze of Georgia 7-6 (7-5), 2-6, 6-4.

Also on Saturday evening, Stefan Koubek, the number six seed, received a penalty game when the Austrian slammed his racquet numerous times in his last set tie-breaker against Spain's Fernando Verdasco, who was leading 3-0 at that time. An unexpected gift for the Spaniard after a two hour fight and three match points saved!

(Araz Gulekjian)


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