CARY, September 14, 2016

Frances Tiafoe fought off six match points against Ryan Haviland in a 151 minutes, all-US-American battle at the Atlantic Tire Championships. The $50,000 ATP Challenger event is being held at Cary Tennis Park through Sunday, September 18. Tiafoe was able to capitalize on Haviland’s second serve, winning 63 per cent of the second serve return points. The tournament’s number two won 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 to play countryman Michael Mmoh in the second round.

Five other US-Americans advance to the second round from Tuesday’s matches. Stefan Kozlov dropped the first set against Erik Cripaldi, but won the next two sets to seal a 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 victory in one hour and 55 minutes. The fourth seed will next face Philip Bester.

The tournament’s number three, Austin Krajicek, fell to wildcard Brayden Schnur. Schnur, a former University of North Carolina player, served well, accumulating ten aces and winning 78 per cent of his first serve points. The 21-year-old Canadian finished the encounter after one hour and 38 minutes. Schnur will next take on Eric Quigley.

With fifth favourite Peter Polansky another Canadian advanced to the second round. The world number 159 from Thornhill defeated Mitchell Krueger 6-3, 6-2. Polansky saved all of the seven break points he faced, converting three of his own to prevail in one hour and 24 minutes. He will face Emilio Gomez from Ecuador next.

In doubles action, Frances Tiafoe teamed up with fellow US-American Tommy Paul to defeat the University of North Carolina pair of Ronnie Schnieder and Robert Kelly 4-6, 6-3, 10-6.