Isner, Sock Ousted in Melbourne

January 15, 2018 | By New York Tennis Magazine Staff
John Isner (35)

 

It was a rough start to the Australian Open for many Americans in both men’s and women’s singles, with the defeats of John Isner and Jack Sock highlighting the men’s struggles on Monday.

Yuichi Sugita of Japan knocked off Sock 6-1, 7-6(4), 5-7, 6-3 to secure his spot in the second round. Sugita converted on 75 percent of his first service points to upset Sock.

“To beat a top 10 player at a Grand Slam is a big step up for me, overcoming a hurdle, and I’m very happy,” said Sugita. “I fought hard in the rallies so as not to allow my opponent to play good tennis.”

Sugita advances to take on big-serving Ivo Karlovic of Croatia. Karlovic defeated Laslo Djere 7-6(3), 6-3, 7-6(2).

Isner was taken out by Australia’s Matthew Ebden, who avenged a loss in last year’s Newport final by beating the American 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 6-3.

“To find another little extra gear within myself out there with the crowd, you know, with the energy on the court, in the matches, it’s a great feeling,” said Ebden. “Of course, it’s great that it was on a nice big court in front of my home crowd in my home Grand Slam. It’s important to maintain and bring that level for these matches and then step over the line.”

Ebden moves into a matchup with Alexandr Dolgopolov, who beat Andreas Haider-Maurer in straight sets.

Ryan Harrison and Mackenzie McDonald were the lone American men to advance. McDonald beat Sweden’s Elias Ymer 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 6-1 to set up a second-round showdown with Grigor Dimitrov.

Harrison outlasted Dudi Sela in a classic five-setter, moving through with a 6-3, 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-2. Great Britain’s Kyle Edmund won a five-setter himself, shocking last year’s U.S. Open finalist Kevin Anderson 6-7(4), 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Top-seed and 2017 finalist Rafael Nadal rolled in his Melbourne opener with a routine 6-1, 6-1, 6-1 win over Victor Estrella Burgos. He will play Argentina’s Leonardo Mayer next. 

 

 


New York Tennis Magazine Staff
Centercourt
USTA NTC

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