Li Zhe advances to 2nd round in ATP Challenger

MANILA, Philippines – Unheralded Chinese Li Zhe became the first player to advance to the second round after he turned back Italian Lorenzo Guistino, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, on Monday's start of the main draw of the $75,000 ATP Challenger Philippine Open 2016 at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.

The 29-year-old Li, who is currently ranked 260th in the world, came back from a 3-4 deficit in the third and final set to escape with the victory that lasted a little less than two hours amid the searing heat.

"It was really hot in here," said Li, who planed in late Friday night after failing to make the cut in the main draw of the Australian Open.

The win sent Li in the second round where he will take on the winner between No. 8 Indian Somdev Devvarman and Spaniard Oriol Batalla Roca, who are playing each other at press time.

Li will next face the winner between eighth seed Somdev Devvarman of India and Oriol Roca Batalla of Spain, who are playing as of posting time in this event backed by the Phl Sports Commission, Phl Tennis Association and Cebuana Lhuillier.

Dunlop is the official ball, Chris Sports the official stringer and TV5 official broadcaster of the meet.

Austrian Maximilian Neuchrist and Indian Divij Sharan smashed American James Cerretani and Japane4se Toshihide Matsui, 7-6 (5), 6-2, to advance to the second round of the doubles competition.

AJ Lim, one of the four Filipino wild card entries in this weeklong event, was scheduled to play French David Guez last night with hopes of pulling off an upset.

Other local bets entered were Fil-Am Ruben Gonzales, Francis Casey Alcantara and Jeson Patrombon.