Second-seeded Ben Shelton survived a stiff test from qualifier Martin Damm on Tuesday, winning an all-U.S. matchup 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in the first round of the Mubadala DC Open in Washington.
Shelton broke serve to end his first match since he took a marathon five-set loss against Finland’s Otto Virtanen in the opening round at Wimbledon.
The other seeded U.S. player in action on Tuesday lost, as France’s Adrian Mannarino downed fifth-seeded Learner Tien 7-5, 6-4.
Seventh-seeded Jakub Mensik of the Czech Republic emerged with a 6-2, 6-7 (5), 6-3 victory over U.S. qualifier Trevor Svajda. Spain’s Rafael Jodar toppled eighth-seeded Arthur Fils of France 7-6 (5), 6-3.
The other Tuesday winners were Poland’s Kamil Majchrzak, France’s Ugo Humbert, Australian qualifier Cruz Hewitt and the U.S. duo of Alex Michelsen and Brandon Nakashima.
Mifel Tennis Open
Australia’s Edward Winter, a lucky loser from qualifying, eased to a 6-1, 6-4 win over 17-year-old Frenchman Moise Kouame in the first round at Los Cabos, Mexico.
Winter, who is ranked 391st in the world, saved all six break points he faced to get past Kouame, who is ranked 213th.
Seven other opening-round matches were slated for later Tuesday night, including sixth-seeded Corentin Moutet of France facing Jenson Brooksby, seventh-seeded Martin Landaluce of Spain opposing Michael Zheng, and eighth-seeded Denis Shapovalov of Canada meeting Australia’s Rinky Hijikata.
–Field Level Media
