The first day of the ATP ASB Classic saw success for the lower ranked players as seventh seed Ivo Karlovic was edged out 7-6(4), 7-5, by Vasek Pospisil.
The encounter between the two men consisted of some blistering serving with a total of 27 aces occurring during the match (12 for Pospisil and 15 for Karlovic). Neither player faced a single break point during the first 12 games of the match as a tiebreak approached. Trailing 4-5 in the tiebreaker, Karlovic produced a costly double fault to hand the Canadian two set points. Pospisil was able to convert on his first after a deep return forced the seventh seed to produce another unforced error.
The second set was a similar story-line with both men remaining supreme in their service games during the majority. Pospisil had a double chance to break for a set and 4-3 lead but failed to capitalize as Karlovic battled back with the help of his powerful serve. As the set went towards the crucial end, Karlovic faltered once again. A below-par service game handed Pospisil three break points. The world No.39 broke the Croat after producing a world-class forehand down the line to move ahead 6-5. Tasked with serving for the match, Pospisil encountered little difficulty after another blistering serve sealed the victory.
Following Pospisil’s convincing win, the former Wimbledon doubles champion is hoping that he can continue his strong start to the tournament.
“It was a great game,” Pospisil said.
“I returned quite well, I felt I played well the whole match.
“He’s obviously the toughest guy to return against, but I was on it today and I’m looking forward to taking that form through to the rest of the tournament.”
Awaiting the Canadian in the second round will be his close friend and doubles partner Jack Sock. The two men won the 2014 Wimbledon doubles title together. In Sock’s opening match, he eased himself to a 6-0, 6-4, win over Víctor Estrella Burgos. The second round clash will be the first time that the two close friends have played against each other on the ATP Tour.
Elsewhere at the tournament there was triumphs for a trio of players who won two rounds of qualifying to reach the main draw. World No.299 Matthew Barton won his first ever main draw match on the ATP Tour. The Australian stunned world No.32 Steve Johnson 6-3, 3-6, 6-3. The reward for Barton will be a second round meeting with top seed David Ferrer.
Robin Haase eased his way to a 6-4, 6-1, win over Spain’s Pablo Andújar. The Dutchman remained unbroken throughout the straight sets encounter. Next up for the qualifier will be fourth seed Kevin Anderson. The South African recently withdrew from last week’s Chennai Open due to a left knee injury.
Completing the trio of qualifier triumphs is Thiemo de Bakker. The world No.100 defeated Albert Ramos 6-3, 6-4. Bakker will play either Fabio Fognini or Joao Sousa in the next round.
Finally, Donald Young kicked-off his Auckland campaign with a 6-2, 6-3, win over wildcard entrant Finn Tearney. Despite the straightforward scoreline, Young praised Tearney followiong his win.
“He played well and he had the crowd behind him, so he was tough to beat,” Young said of his opponent.
