Garin survives, Verdasco crashes out on opening day at 2020 Rio Open

Third-seeded Cristian Garin fought from a set down to advance at the Rio Open, but ninth-seeded Spaniard Fernando Verdasco was unable to pull off the same feat.

The Chilean faced Slovakian Andrej Martin in an electrifying encounter that lasted over three hours and ended when Garin finally converted his eighth match point, winning the match 4-6 7-5 7-6(5).

The recent Cordoba champion has now accumulated a five-match winning streak and he next faces Argentina Federico Delbonis, who dispatched of Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena 6-2 6-4 in his first-round match.

Spaniard Pablo Andujar upset compatriot Fernando Verdasco 6-3 6-3, breaking the ninth seed five times in the process. He will meet countryman Pedro Martinez, as the Spanish qualifier overcame Bolivian Hugo Dellien 3-6 6-2 7-5 in two hours and 35 minutes.

Qualifier Federico Coria rallied from a set down to defeat France's Corentin Moutet 1-6 7-6(1) 7-6(3) in an exciting three hour battle. The Frenchman saved seven break points and was assisted by his opponent's erratic serving, the Argentine hit eight double faults.

Brazilian wildcard Thiago Seyboth Wild played the match of his life in front of his home crowd, outlasting Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 5-7 7-6(3) 7-5. The encounter lasted just short of four hours, in which Seyboth Wild had to save three match points when serving at 5-6 in the second set.

A forehand error from Davidovich Fokina finally ended this tumultuous encounter, with Seyboth Wild dropping to the ground in relief. The 19-year old Brazilian awaits the winner between fifth-seeded Croat Borna Coric and Argentine Juan Ignacio Londero.

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