Alex De Minaur started his title defence at the Rothesay International in Eastbourne with a 6-3 6-3 win over Christian Garin in 83 minutes with four breaks of serve.
De Minaur earned an immediate break in the first game of the opening set. Garin broke back in the fourth game to draw level to 2-2. De Minaur broke twice in the ffth and ninth games to seal the first set 6-3. De Minaur saved two break points in the first game before earning his only break of the second set in the sixth game to seal the win.
De Minaur has improved his head-to-head record to 3-0 against Garin. The Australian player could face Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego in a re-match of last year’s Eastbourne final. Sonego will play James Duckworth on Tuesday.
John Millman upset Sebastian Korda 6-3 7-6 (7-5) in one hour and 40 minutes to draw level to 1-1 in their head-to-head matches.
Millman will face Alexander Bublik, who came back from one set down to beat Frances Tiafoe 5-7 7-4 (7-4) 6-0 in 1 hour and 52 minutes.
Maxime Cressy cruised past Reilly Opelka 6-3 6-1. Brandon Nakashima beats Jay Clarke 6-1 6-3. Cressy won 92% of his first serve points. The US player will face either Daniel Evans or Adrian mannarino in the second round.
