ATP: Andreas Haider-Maurer loses opening game in Barcelona

Andreas Haider-Maurer has to wait for his first victory of the season on the ATP tour. At the clay court tournament in Barcelona he lost to the Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena in two sets and thus missed a second round duel with Rafael Nadal.

After his long break from injury, Andreas Haider-Maurer’s knot simply won’t burst: The Lower Austrian, who lives in Innsbruck, suffered his sixth defeat at the ATP World Tour 500 tournament in Barcelona in 2018.

Against local hero Roberto Carballes Baena, “AHM” lost his first round game 2:6, 4:6, which started badly for the former number 47 in the world: Haider-Maurer, who again made use of his Protected Ranking in Catalonia, had to let his opponent go after two early service losses.

In the second heat, the sand court specialist, who dropped back to 420th place in the world rankings, provided more resistance. Two breaks were not enough, however, as Haider-Maurer failed three times in his own service. However, the Spaniard needed five match points to close the bag.

A victory would have been a clash with ten-time Barcelona champion Rafael Nadal. The world number one now meets Carballes Baena on Wednesday on his 76 places less well classified compatriot.