CARY, September 14, 2017
Eight US-Americans advanced to the second round of the $50,000 Atlantic Tire Championships on Wednesday.
Dennis Novikov, the 2015 champion, defeated Austin Krajicek in a close match 4-6, 7-5, 7-5. Novikov served strong, saving six out of seven break points and serving an impressive 18 aces to secure victory in two hours and three minutes.
Also advancing is the No. 1 seed, Ernesto Escobdeo. The World No. 81 defeated Raleigh’s Patrick Kypson 6-1, 7-6. Kypson fought hard in the second set, winning 56 per cent of second serve points, up from 30 per cent in the first set. Escobedo broke into the top 100 this past spring and reached a career high of World No. 67 this past July.
Another full day of matches is scheduled for Thursday and will feature three all-US-American match ups. No. 7 Mackenzie McDonald will take on Christian Harrison in their first ever meeting. Harrison has been on the comeback trail since qualifying for the US Open in 2016. This will be the first meeting for McDonald and Harrison. Another all-US-American encounter will feature Dennis Novikov and Georgia Tech alumni Kevin King. Novikov recently advanced to his first ATP quarterfinal in Newport. King and Novikov have played each other twice before, with each winning one match.
Wednesday September 13 – RESULTS
Singles– First Round
Ernesto Escobedo (1), United States, def. WC-Patrick Kypson, United States, 6-1, 7-6(0)
Facundo Mena, Argentina, def. Q-Ryan Haviland, United States, 6-3, 4-0 Retired
Joao Pedro Sorgi, Brazil, def. Q-Skander Mansouri, Tunisia, 6-4, 6-3
Q-Julian Zlobinsky, United States, def. vs. WC-Alexis Galarneau, Canada, 6-4, 5-7, 7-5
Marcelo Arevalo, Spain, def. Michael Mmoh (3), United States, 5-2 Retired.
Mackenzie McDonald (7), United States, def. Alexander Ward, Great Britian, 6-3, 6-2
Christian Harrison, United States, def. Q-Aleksandar Vukic, Australia, 6-3, 7-5
Kevin King, United States, def. Jared Hiltzik, United States, 6-2, 7-6(6)
Mitchell Krueger (5), United States, def. Wil Spencer, United States, 7-6(4), 6-3
WC-William Blumberg, United States, vs. Brydan Klein, Great Britian, 6-2, 7-6(5)
Dennis Novikov (8), United States, def. Austin Krajicek, United States, 4-6, 7-5, 7-5
Doubles– First Round
Sekou Bangoura and Evan King (3), United States, def. Ante Pavic, Croatia, and Dmitry Tursunov, Russia, 6-2, 6-2
Thai-Son Kwiatkowski, United States and Mackenzie McDonald, United States def. WC-William Blumberg and Robert Kelly, United States, 6-7(4), 6-2, 10-6
Facundo Mena, Argentina, and Joao Pedro Sorgi, Brazil, def. WC-Sean Sculley and Nick Stachowiak (United States), 6-4, 1-6, 10-7
