A big test for the favourites in Alicante

The first round of the Estrella Damm Alicante Open 2017 is underway. The action began on centre court at the Pabellón Pedro Ferrándiz with an exciting match between Juan Cruz Belluati - Ale Galán and Raúl Marcos - Rubén Rivera. Belluati and Galan took the win after fighting back from a set down and being on the brink in a second set tiebreak (2-6/7-6(5)/6-2).

Meanwhile, Uri Botello and Javi Ruíz won their match at the Club de Campo Alicante against Nacho Gadea/Germán Tamame by 6-3 / 6-3.

Back on centre court, Adrián 'Tito' Allemandi and Juan Lebrón started their second tournament together in the best way possible, winning 6-0 / 6-4 against Jordi Muñoz and Víctor Ruíz in under an hour.

Over at the club there was a another three set battle that Gerard Company and Javi Escalante won against Fernando Poggi and Gonzalo Rubio by 6-7/6-1/6-4.

The first surprise of the day came on centre court at the Centro de Tecnificación de Alicante. José Antonio García Diestro and Martín Sánchez Piñeiro got the better of one of the most in-form pairings of the season, ‘Godo’ Díaz and Lucho Capra, with the final score being 2-6/6-3/6-3.

And it wouldn't be the last shock of the day as qualifiers Lucas da Cunha Bergamini and Lucas Campagnolo stunned Raúl Díaz / Pedro Alonso-Martínez  in three sets (6-3/3-6/6-1).

A match up that is starting to become a classic this season is Federico Chingotto/Juan Tello vs. Aday Santana/Álvaro Cepero. This time it was the Argentine duo that came out on top in two very tight sets, 6-4/7-5.

At the Club de Campo de Alicante, Borja Yribarren and ‘Guga’ Vázquez needed just two sets (6-2/7-5) to win against Aris Patiniotis and Gabi Reca.

Over 2,000 spectators had passed by the Pedro Ferrandiz and were offered a great spectacle in the penultimate match of the day on centre court: Seba Nerone and Álex Ruiz knocked out Ramiro Moyano and Maxi Grabiel 6-3 / 6-3.

On court 2, 'Chico' Gomes and Ernesto Moreno qualified for the second round for the first time as a pairing after winning 7-6 / 6-4 against Mati Marina and Javier Concepción.

The greatest upset of the day was still in store. The recent champions in Canarias and Mijas, Franco Stupaczuk and Cristian Gutierrez, couldn't prolong their hot run of form as they were downed in three sets by Pablo Lijó/Willy Lahoz (6-4/3-6/7-5).

The day came to an end with Fede Quiles and Marcello Jardim winning 7-6 / 6-3 against Marc Quílez and Miki Solbes.

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