BUCHAREST, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Romanian tennis player Filip Cristian Jianu claimed the opening victory at the Tiriac Open in Bucharest, defeating American Nishesh Basavareddy 6-3, 6-4 in the first round.
The 23-year-old wildcard, ranked 241st, overcame the higher-ranked Basavareddy (No. 108) in 93 minutes, despite the American hitting more winners (22-13) but committing more unforced errors (16-9).
Jianu earned 10,460 euros (11,317 U.S. dollars) and 25 ATP points and will face either Valentin Vacherot or Damir Dzumhur in the round of 16.
Meanwhile, fellow Romanian Luca Preda fell to Vacherot 6-2, 6-3, exiting with 3,200 euros (3,462 U.S. dollars) and 7 ATP points.
The Tiriac Open, an ATP 250 clay court event, runs from March 31 to April 6 at Bucharest's National Tennis Center. ■
