Max Purcell and James Duckworth open clay-court campaigns on winning notes at the ATP 250 event.
Houston, USA, 3 April 2024 | Dan Imhoff
Houston, USA
Max Purcell’s switch to clay has reaped immediate rewards after holding off rising American teenager Alex Michelsen at Houston on Tuesday.
While seeded eighth, Purcell came into the first-round clash ranked nine places lower than the big-serving world No.70.
The Australian had succumbed in his previous four matches on hard courts but steadied to stymy the 19-year-old debutant 7-5 6-7(4) 6-4 for a shot at another American, wild card Michael Mmoh, in the second round.
Purcell was among four of his compatriots opening their campaigns on Tuesday.
World No.105 James Duckworth breezed through 6-3 6-3 against left-handed Dutch qualifier Gijs Brouwer, who had reached the semifinals and quarterfinals in the past two years.
Duckworth’s win set a second-round meeting with third seed and reigning champion, Frances Tiafoe.
World No.108 Thanasi Kokkinakis rebounded from a one-set deficit but was unable to carry the momentum of a 3-1 lead in the deciding set as American Aleksandar Kovacevic prevailed 7-6(3) 6-7(2) 6-4.
Kovacevic awaits sixth seed Jordan Thompson or qualifier Wu Yibing in the second round.
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Aussies in action – Houston
RESULTS
Men’s singles, first round
[8] Max Purcell (AUS) d Alex Michelsen (USA) 7-5 6-7(4) 6-4
James Duckworth (AUS) d [Q] Gijs Brouwer (NED) 6-3 6-3
Aleksandar Kovacevic (USA) d Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS) 7-6(3) 6-7(2) 6-4
Men’s doubles, first round
Andrew Harris (AUS)/Rinky Hijikata (AUS) d [2] Nathaniel Lammons (USA)/Jackson Withrow (USA) 6-4 6-4
COMING UP
Men’s singles, first round
[6] Jordan Thompson (AUS) v [Q] Wu Yibing (USA)
Men’s singles, second round
Rinky Hijikata (AUS) v Brandon Nakashima (USA)
James Duckworth (AUS) v [3] Frances Tiafoe (USA)
[8] Max Purcell (AUS) v [WC] Michael Mmoh (USA)
Men’s doubles, second round
[4] Max Purcell (AUS)/Jordan Thompson (AUS) v Anirudh Chandrasekar (IND)/Vijay-Sundar Prashanth (IND)
John Peers (AUS)/William Blumberg (USA) v [WC] Andres Andrade (ECU)/Ben Shelton (USA)
Andrew Harris (AUS)/Rinky Hijikata (AUS) v Luciano Darderi (ITA)/Tomas Martin Etcheverry (ARG) or Fernando Romboli (BRA)/Marcelo Zormann Da Silva (BRA)
Charleston, USA
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