Australia’s Max Purcell, Jordan Thompson and Thanasi Kokkinakis have received via qualifying to achieve the principle draw of the ATP 1000 Cincinnati Masters.
With the begin to the US Open at Flushing Meadows only a fortnight away, the 78th-ranked Purcell upset 56th-ranked countryman Alexei Popyrin 6-7 (6-8) 7-5 6-4 in simply lower than three hours to guide a first-round match with South Africa’s Lloyd Harris, who’s ranked 188th.
Thompson, ranked 55 and seeded fourth within the qualifying draw, beat 88th-ranked Swiss Marc-Andrea Huesler 6-3 6-4 to seal a first-round assembly with John Isner, the 208cm, 38-year-old American veteran who gained a wildcard entry to the hardcourt match.
The 86th-ranked Kokkinakis dug deep in a second set tiebreaker to attain a tricky three-set win over Colombia’s Daniel Elahi Galan, 5-7 7-6 (9-7) 6-2, and can meet world No.17 Hubert Hurkacz of Poland.
Alex de Minaur completes the four-man Australian contingent, with the world No.12 to play Forty third-ranked American JJ Wolf within the opening spherical.
As first spherical motion started on Sunday, tenth seed Frances Tiafoe of the US overcame Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor 6-4 6-7 (7-9) 6-4, whereas Ben Shelton beat fellow American Christopher Eubanks 5-7 6-4 6-4 to seal a round-of-32 match towards fourth-seeded Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas.
“I’m really happy to be back and happy to be through to the second round,” Shelton, who made his Masters 1000 debut a yr in the past in Ohio, mentioned in his on-court interview.
“It’s always tough to play a friend and your doubles partner. I thought we played a really good level today.”
Adrian Mannarino eradicated fellow Frenchman Richard Gasquet 6-4 6-3, and Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka superior with a 6-4 7-5 victory over France’s Gregoire Barrere.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
