Nuno Borges will face reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz in the second round of the Barcelona Open after a 6-2 6-3 triumph over Ilya Avashka on Monday.
Borges created a remarkable 20 break points, converting only five but still comfortable against his 61st-ranked opponent.
That sets up a clash with number one seed Alcaraz, who beat Pablo Carreno Busta in the 2022 final.
Ben Shelton's 7-5 6-4 success over countryman Mackenzie McDonald means he will take on Casper Ruud, while Bernabe Zapata Miralles will play Roberto Bautista Agut in an all-Spanish second-round affair after earning a routine 6-2 6-2 win over unfancied Attila Balazs.
Meanwhile, Emil Ruusuvuori beat Alexander Bublik in Barcelona for a second straight year to set up a second-round meeting with fifth seed Frances Tiafoe.
At the BMW Open in Munich, 2022 winner Holger Rune will open his defence against Yannick Hanfmann after the German battled from a set down to beat Thiago Monteiro 6-7 (3-7) 7-6 (7-5) 6-2.
Marcos Giron reached the second round with a 6-1 5-7 6-2 victory over Roberto Carballes Baene.
LATEST STORIES
Djokovic downs Nadal in Riyadh after last clash between greats
- 2024-10-19 13:54:14
- Hits 287
Sinner inspires comeback to help Italy reach Davis Cup semi-finals
- 2024-11-21 17:49:38
- Hits 168
Tennis Jamaica President Azar expects competitive matches all the way throughout All Jamaica Open Tennis Championships
- 2024-12-13 14:40:53
- Hits 146