John Isner saved a match point to beat Malek Jaziri 6-3 3-6 7-6 (8-6) at the ASB Classic in Auckland. Isner broke serve in the eighth game to win the first set 6-3. In the second set Jaziri also needed one break in the sixth game to win 6-3 forcing the match to the decider. Jaziri earned a match point at 6-5 on Isner’s serve in the tie-break of the third set but Isner fended it off with a backhand volley before wrapping up the match with a backhand volley down the line.
Isner will take on seventh seed Steve Johnson, who dropped just two points on his first serve to beat Yen-Hsun Lu 6-4 7-6 (7-4).
Robin Haase came back from one set down to overcome four-time Auckland champion David Ferrer 2-6 6-4 7-6 (7-4) in two hours. Haase fended off six of the nine break points he faced against Ferrer, who won the Auckland tournament in 2007, 2011, 2012 and 2013. Ferrer broke twice to win the first set 6-2. Haase got an early break at the start of the second set before saving three break points, including two chances as he was serving for the set. Ferrer went down a break at the start of the third set but broke straight back. Haase won the match 7-4 at the tie-break.
Jack Sock hit 11 aces to overcome US qualifier Ryan Harrison 7-6 (7-5) 4-6 6-1 in two hours and six minutes. Sock will face Jeremy Chardy, who received a walkover after Feliciano Lopez retired before their match due to a back injury.
Marcos Baghdatis fought back fron one set down to beat Dustin Brown 4-6 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 setting up a second round match against 2015 Auckland champion Jiri Vesely, who fought back from one set down to beat lucky loser José Statham 6-7 (6-8) 7-5 6-3. Statham replaced last week’s Chennai champion Roberto Bautista Agut, who retired from the tournament due to an injury problem.
