Kudla, Harrison Reach Second Round of Memphis Open

February 9, 2016 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
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Photo credit: Calvin Rhoden

Playing in his first ATP tournament as a seeded player, American Denis Kudla opened up his Memphis Open campaign with a 6-4, 6-2 over fellow American Rajeev Ram on Monday to move into the second round.

Kudla won 79 percent of his first serve points and converted on three of his five break point chances to move past Ram in straight sets.

Up next for Kudla, who was born in Ukraine but moved to Virginia on his first birthday, is Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Kukushkin, who ousted Italy’s Luca Vanni 6-4, 7-6(4),

“It’s great being seeded,” said Kudla. “You don’t have to play people like Kei Nishikori in the first round.”

Kudla is referring to the three-time defending champion and top seed this weekend in Memphis. Nishikori is vying to become the first player since Jimmy Connors to win four straight titles in Memphis.

His second-round opponent will be American Ryan Harrison, who came back from a set down to beat Frances Tiafoe 6-7(0), 7-6(8), 6-4 to advance on Monday.

Ukraine’s Illya Marchenko upset sixth-seeded Australian Sam Groth 7-6(4), 7-6(2) to set up a clash with Yoshihito Nishioka. The Japanese qualifier took out American qualifier Jared Donaldson 6-3, 6-4. 


Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
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