Two thrilling three-set matches marked the start of the doubles tournament at Sofia Open 2022.
First-seeded Italians Simone Bolelli and Fabio Fognini needed more than 82 minutes to win 6-3 5-7 10-8 against Marc-Andrea Huesler from Switzerland and Bernabe Zapata Miralles from Spain. The pairs were almost equal as one break each set sent the match into a dramatic tie-break. Italians won 46 points when serving and had a better return rating.
Bolelli/Fognini,the 10th-placed pair in the Pepperstone ATP Live Doubles Teams Rankings, are chasing theirs third tour-level title of the season.
The third-seeded Francisco Cabral and Jamie Murray were stunned by Fabian Fallert and Oscar Otte. The Germans needed an hour and a half to win 64 67 (5) 10-6 and to reach the second round.
