Elmer Moller on Thursday night played perhaps the biggest match of his career, when he participated in the main draw of an ATP tournament for the first time.
The debut could hardly have happened on a bigger stage, as Elmer Moller played on the largest arena in the ATP 1000 tournament in Madrid with room for 12.000 spectators.
Despite putting in a great effort, Moller lost 2-6, 3-6 to Joao Fonseca from Brazil.
Moller, 21, won last week’s Oeiras Challenger before qualifying for the ATP Masters 1000 event.
Fonseca took a position far behind the baseline during Moller’s first deliveries, but stepped up to the baseline on second serves, to provide aggressive returns. The teenager absorbed Moller’s booming backhand and tried to rush the Dane from the baseline.
Despite the defeat, Elmer Moller managed to show plenty of potential in Madrid, and he can look forward to a small advancement in the world rankings after the victories in the qualification earlier this week.
“I love playing on clay. I was born on the clay, so I like to play on it, even with altitude. I like to focus on my serves and play aggressive, so feeling good this week,” said the 18-year-old Fonseca, who was playing his first match since a third-round run in Miami, after the match.
“Me and my team felt it was a time to rest a little bit, focus, be at home, rest mentally. Then come here to do the clay season. Very happy with this win today.”
Fonseca will now face American Tommy Paul in the next round.