James Duckworth has defeated fellow Australian Alexei Popyrin in the opening round at an ATP 250 tournament in San Diego.
Tokyo, Japan, 20 September 2022 | Leigh Rogers
San Diego, USA
James Duckworth has scored a three-set win against compatriot Alexei Popyrin in the first round at an ATP 250 tournament in San Diego.
The seventh-seeded Duckworth posted a 7-5 4-6 6-1 victory, firing 14 aces and winning 85 per cent of first serve points in the two-hour and 19-minute encounter.
It is the world No.83’s third consecutive win against a fellow Australian, having also beaten Thanasi Kokkinakis and Chris O’Connell in the past month.
Duckworth next faces an American qualifier, either Christopher Eubanks or Mitchell Krueger, in the second round.
Another all-Australian showdown is scheduled in San Diego, with O’Connell and Jason Kubler also set to meet in the opening round.
Aussies in action – San Diego
RESULTS
Men’s singles, first round
[7] James Duckworth (AUS) d Alexei Popyrin (AUS) 7-5 4-6 6-1
COMING UP
Men’s singles, first round
Chris O’Connell (AUS) v Jason Kubler (AUS)
Men’s singles, second round
[7] James Duckworth (AUS) v TBC
Men’s doubles, first round
Jason Kubler (AUS)/Luke Saville (AUS) v Marcos Giron (USA)/Mackenzie McDonald (USA)
John-Patrick Smith (AUS)/Max Schnur (USA) v Marcelo Demoliner (BRA)/Marcelo Melo (BRA)
Seoul, Korea
Kimberly Birrell has fought past fellow Australian Priscilla Hon in a three-hour battle in the opening round of a WTA 250 tournament in Seoul.
Birrell’s 6-4 4-6 6-4 victory is her first tour-level main draw win since February 2021.
The 24-year-old from the Gold Coast is currently ranked No.309, as she continues her comeback from an elbow injury. Birrell next faces either Wimbledon 2022 semifinalist Tatjana Maria or former world No.5 Eugenie Bouchard in the second round.
In more opening-round action, Lizette Cabrera lost to fellow qualifier Lulu Sun from Switzerland in straight sets. While Olivia Tjandramulia and Dutch partner Arianne Hortono were beaten in doubles.
Aussies in action – Seoul
RESULTS
Women’s singles, first round
Kimberly Birrell (AUS) d Priscilla Hon (AUS) 6-4 4-6 6-4
[Q] Lulu Sun (SUI) d [Q] Lizette Cabrera (AUS) 7-6(6) 6-2
Women’s doubles, first round
[4] Oksana Kalashnikova (GEO)/Nadiia Kichenok (UKR) d Olivia Tjandramulia (AUS)/Arianne Hortono (NED) 7-5 6-2
COMING UP
Women’s singles, first round
Maddison Inglis (AUS) v [Q] Ankita Raina (IND)
[Q] Astra Sharma…
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