Borna Coric started his 2017 campaign in shaky fashion, losing in straight sets to a qualifier at the Chennai Open on Monday. Coric, seeded sixth, lost 3-6, 5-7, to Hyeon Chung, of Korea.
The Croat has struggled with injury for much of last year, and ended 2016 in September, when he had knee surgery. But he refused to blame the injury for the surprise loss.
“It was not due to my knee. My serve was off today and I did not play well. I am not surprised with the way he (Chung) played. I knew he was a good player.” Coric said following his loss.
Chung, 20, is ranked 104 in the world. He advanced out of the qualifying draw by beating Jurgen Melzer in straight sets. In the second round, he’ll face Dudi Sela, who handled Damir Dzumhur, 6-2, 6-2.
In other matches, rising star Danil Medvedev beat Thiago Monteiro, 6-3, 6-3. The 20-year-old, who claimed his first Challenger titles last year, fired eight aces during his 96-minute victory.
Belgian veteran Steve Darcis eased his way past qualifier Nikola Mektic, 6-2, 6-3. The 32-year-old, who is bidding to reach his first ATP Tour quarter-final since the 2015 Bastaad Open, will play Spanish third seed Albert Ramos Vinolas in the next round.
Completing the group of wins on Monday was Slovakia’s Jozef Kovalik. The world No.117 required over two hours to see off Portugal’s Gasteo Elias, 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-2, who is ranked almost 30 places higher than him. Kovalik’s reward will be an upcoming showdown with top seed Marin Cilic.
Cilic, who received a bye in the first round, is bidding the become the second man in history to win the event on three separate occasions after previously lifting the trophy in 2009 and 2010. Stan Wawrinka was the first to achieve the milestone, triumphing in 2014, 2015 and 2016.
