Croatian Players Eliminated from Umag Open Qualifiers

The hopes of Croatian tennis fans were dashed as all local representatives were eliminated from the qualifying rounds of the 36th Plava Laguna Croatia Open Umag. The tournament, held in Stella Maris, saw Mili Poljičak, Duje Ajduković, and Noa Vukadin fail to secure a spot in the main draw.

Mili Poljičak came the closest to advancing. Playing against the second seed, Austria's Lukas Neumayer, Poljičak held break point chances in the third set at 2-1 and later had four more opportunities at 3-2. However, he couldn't convert, and Neumayer ultimately broke back and won the set 6-4, taking the match 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.

Duje Ajduković faced former Umag champion Marco Cecchinato of Italy. Ajduković led by a break in the first set at 3-1 but lost five consecutive games. Cecchinato then secured a crucial break in the second set to win the match 6-3, 6-4. Wildcard entrant Noa Vukadin put up a fight against Argentina's Genaro Alberto Oliveri but fell 6-2, 6-4.

Despite the Croatian players' exit, the qualifying draw saw some upsets, including the top seed, Italy's Luca Nardi, being defeated by compatriot Andrea Guerrieri. The final round of qualifying is scheduled for Sunday.