Top seed Nick Kyrgios battled from behind to ease his way past Bjorn Fratangelo 6-7(2), 6-1, 6-2, in the second round of the US Men’s Clay Court Championships in Houston.
Playing in only his second ATP tournament since the Australian Open due to injury, Kyrgios was matched game-by-game throughout the opening set by the world No.108. Dropping his serve twice in the tiebreak. Despite the setback, he managed to find his range in the match by winning 12 of the next 15 games. Producing a total of 21 aces and winning 77% of the points behind his first serve.
“You can’t shorten the points as much as you can on other surfaces. You gotta hang tough and you will have good success.” Kyrgios told the ATP World Tour earlier this week about playing on the clay.
This week is Kyrgios’ debut in Houston. The 22-year-old is bidding to win his first title on the clay after previously winning a quartet of trophies from ATP events played on the hard courts. Including this year’s Brisbane International.
“In every tournament you want to have good success. Even if it’s your first tournament (on the season) on clay.” He said. “ I think I can do some good things this week.”
In the quarter-finals Kyrgios will take on former champion Ivo Karlovic. Karlovic, who won the title back in 2007, dropped just six points behind his first serve as he dismissed Denis Kudla 7-5, 7-5. Booking a place in his second tour quarter-final of the season.
In their head-to-head, Kyrgios has a dominating 4-0 record against the Croat.
In other matches, second seed Sam Querrey has crashed out. The American was unable to seize upon his opportunities in his match as he went out 2-6, 7-6(4), 7-6(3), to Argentina’s Guido Pella. Querrey had a 4-2 lead in the decider, but was broken whilst trying to serve the match out. Enabling the Argentine to battle for the win.
“I was comfortable on court; I said just keep fighting, just keep running,” Pella said during an interview with Justin Gimelstob from The Tennis Channel. “It’s not easy, but I think the best part is we play best-of-three sets not five so it was not so long.
“It was not easy, but it was a good match for me. I’m happy because I won that match. Everything is good when you win.”
Pella, who is yet to win an ATP title, will take on Australian Open quarter-finalist Tennys Sandgren in the last eight.
