BARCELONA, Spain — Russian teen Andrey Rublev advanced to the second round of the Barcelona Open by beating former champion Fernando Verdasco 7-6 (4), 6-3 on Tuesday.
The 17-year-old Rublev, who entered as a qualifier ranked 329th, broke the Spaniard three times while saving five break chances. Rublev will next face 13th-seeded Fabio Fognini.
Also, Victor Estrella beat Dominic Thiem 6-3, 7-6 (3) and will play Marin Cilic in the second round, while seventh-seeded Roberto Bautista Agut advanced to the third round after beating Thomaz Bellucci 6-3, 6-4.