Eighth-seeded Alex Michelsen survived a 6-7 (8), 6-4, 6-2 challenge from Indian qualifier Sumit Nagal on Monday to reach the second round of the ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand.
Michelsen bounced back after failing to convert six set points in the opening set, finishing in 2 hours, 40 minutes. He saved seven of 10 break points.
No. 7 seed Nuno Borges of Portugal, the only other seeded player in action, outlasted Italy’s Luciano Darderi 5-7, 6-3, 7-5. Belgium’s Zizou Bergs defeated New Zealand’s Isaac Becroft 6-3, 7-5 and Spain’s Roberto Carballes Baena held off Germany’s Daniel Altmaier 6-3, 3-6, 7-5.
Adelaide International
Canada’s Denis Shapovalov struck nine aces and won 31 of 32 points on his first serve in a swift 6-3, 6-4 victory over No. 9 seed Zhizhen Zhang of China in Australia.
Shapovalov never faced a break point in the 67-minute win as he breezed into the second round.
Australians Thanasi Kokkinakis and Christopher O’Connell also advanced. Kokkinakis was a 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 winner over Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka and O’Connell posted a 7-5, 7-6 (5) win over France’s Arthur Rinderknech. Alejandro Davidovich Fokina eliminated fellow Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut 7-5, 6-2.
