Adrian Mannarino made a good start to his 2016 season by taking the Noumea Challenger title in New Caledonia. The Top seed defeated second seed Alejandro Falla in three sets 5-7, 6-2, 6-2.
Frenchman Mannarino improves on his performance from this event last year, where he only made the semi-finals. This match proved the toughest of the tournament for World. No 47, as he surrendered a set for the first time this week.
Second seed Alejandro Falla managed to set an unusual statistic in the first set, in that he proved able to win more points on his second serve than first. Mannarino, meanwhile set poor numbers as Falla was bale to break twice in the opener.
Mannarino quickly reasserted himself in the second set, dominating Falla’s second serve by taking six of eight points on that wing, resulting in two breaks of serve. Falla meanwhile, could only win seven points against the Mannarino serve, and was unable to conjure even a single opportunity to break.
The dominating Mannarino only amped up the pressure in the final set, winning ninety-percent of Falla’s second serve points, as the Colombian left-hander’s challenger quickly crumbled. Mannarino again secured a double-break lead, and eventually finished the match in comfortable style.
Mannarino now makes the step up, as he is in the main draw of the Sydney event. He is unseeded and will start against a as yet undetermined qualifier. Falla now awaits the Australian Open qualifying draw, where he will be seeded.
