TIBURON, September 28, 2016

Record crowds at the Tiburon Peninsula Club filled the stands to see US-American Tommy Paul face Germany’s Benjamin Becker in a first round clash of the $100,000 Wells Fargo Tiburon Challenger on Tuesday. Becker prevailed in two sets to move on to the next round, winning 7-6, 6-2.

The top seeded German saved two of the four break points he faced, converting four of his own to seal victory in one hour and 19 minutes. Becker will next take on Darian King, who defeated Yuki Bhambri 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 in two hours and three minutes.

Great Britain’s Brydan Klein took on last year’s Challenger champion Tim Smyczek from the United States, but had to retire after suffering a back injury. Smyczek will next face Sam Groth of Australia. Tennys Sandgren also retired and ceded to US-American Michael Mmoh.

Tommy Paul will be back in action teaming up with Canadian Denis Shapovalov in a doubles match against Marcelo Arevalo of El Salvador and Julio Peralta of Chile in an afternoon match on Wednesday.

Men’s Singles First Round

[1] Benjamin Becker (GER) d Tommy Paul (USA) 76(1) 62

Darian King (BAR) d Yuki Bhambri (IND) 62 36 63

[WC] Brian Baker (USA) d Austin Krajicek (USA) 64 63

Dennis Novikov (USA) vs. [WC] Robbie Bellamy (USA) 63 62

John-Patrick Smith (AUS) d Marcelo Arevalo (ESA) 63 36 63

[WC] Mackenzie McDonald (USA) d Peter Polansky (CAN)

[Q] Salvatore Caruso (ITA) d [7] Ernesto Escobedo (USA) 63 26 63

Sam Groth (AUS) d Daniel Nguyen (USA) 64 64

[3] Tim Smyczek (USA) d [Q] Brydan Klein (GBR) 64 21 Ret’d

[Q] Michael Mmoh (USA) d Tennys Sandgren 46 76(5) 20 Ret’d

Joris De Loore (BEL) d [Q] Lloyd Glasspool 62 76(8)

Men’s Doubles First Round

Matt Reid (AUS)/John-Patrick Smith (AUS) d Stefan Kozlov (USA)/Austin Krajicek (USA) 46 76(4) 10-5

(WC) Sekou Bangoura (USA)/Mitchell Krueger (USA) vs. Bjorn Fratangelo (USA)/Tim Smyczek (USA) 36 60 13-11