Sam Querrey’s season appeared to be back on track after he reached the final in New York last week. He may have lost there to South Africa’s Kevin Anderson, but it looked as the World No.12 had found some of his form from 2017.
Querrey failed to keep the good momentum going however, as he went down to compatriot Taylor Fritz in the first round of the Delray Beach Open on Tuesday. The tall American took the first set, but was then edged in a final set tie break, 2-6, 6-3, 7-6.
For Fritz it was his first win at an ATP 250 event or higher in 2018. He has reached the finals of two Challengers, winning one, but had failed to make it through qualifying at the Australian Open.
Fritz’s reward for knocking out the fourth seed and 2016 champion is a meeting with former US Open semi-finalist Mikhail Youzhny. The Russian veteran defeated Dudi Sela in another of the late matches on Tuesday.
Completing first round action on day two was Juan Martin del Potro. The Argentine, who was highlighting the evening session had few problems. He defeated France’s Jeremy Chardy 6-2, 6-4. Del Potro will face the United States’ Frances Tiafoe. Tiafoe edged Matthew Ebden of Australian 6-2, 2-6, 6-2. The win sees Tiafoe avenge a loss to Ebden in the first round of the Brisbane International back at the start of the year.
Steve Johnson against former Wimbledon finalist Milos Raonic is amongst the highlight matches of the second round on Wednesday. The night session sees an all American clash between defending champion Jack Sock and young compatriot Reilly Opelka.
