Jeremy Chardy saved five match points to battle past 2018 Australian Open finalist and 2014 US Open champion Marin Cilic 2-6 6-3 7-6 (10-8) after 2 hours and 32 minutes in the opening match at the Murray River Open in Melbourne.
Chardy rallied from 3-6 down in the third set and fended off two more match points at 6-7 and 7-8. The Frenchman scored his first win over Cilic since 2017.
Chardy set up a second round match against either Gilles Simon or Elias Yimer.
After reaching the fourth round at the Australian Open last year Cilic won just two more Grand Slam matches and finished the 2020 season outside the top 40. The Croatian player claimed four of their six previous head-to-head matches against Chardy. Sonego is ranked 231 spots higher than Kubler in the ATP Ranking.
Australia’s Alex Bolt came back from one set down to beat his pre-season training partner and compatriot Thanasi Kokkinakis 2-6 6-4 6-3 after 1 hour and 54 minutes.
“Definitely, I guess I can think back on these moments I had out here. I have had some good wins and that gives me all the confidence in the world to come back on these courts and play well”, said Bolt.
Bolt set up a second round match against Jason Kubler, who fought back fro losing the first set to beat last year’s Vienna Open finalist and world number 34 Lorenzo Sonego 3-6 6-3 6-4 after 2 hours and 8 minutes.
“It’s good for my confidence that after injury I am heading in the right direction. It’s probably my best win ever I reckon. I had a good win in the 2018 US Open against Roberto Bautista Agut”, said Kubler.
Marton Fucsovics edged past 2018 Roland Garros semifinalist Marton Fucsovics 7-6 (12-10) 6-3. Cecchinato wasted two set points at 7-6 and at 8-7 in the tie-break of the first set. Fucsovics will take on a second round match against Egor Gerasimov, who beat South Africa’s Lloyd George Harris 6-3 7-5.
Three Grand Slam semifinalist Richard Gasquet edged Mackenzie McDonald 7-6 (7-2) 7-5.
Tommy Paul rallied from one set down to beat Cameron Norrie 4-6 7-6 (7-2) 6-3. Norrie was not able to serve out the match at 6-5 in the second set.
Number 10 seed Adrian Mannarino beat Michael Yimer 7-5 6-2 in 1 hour and 32 minutes scoring his first win of the season after losing to Cameron Norrie in Delray Beach last month.
Corentin Moutet came back from one set down to beat Frances Tiafoe 3-6 6-4 6-4.
