TENNIS STARS DESCEND ON CINCINNATI, KYRGIOS AND CILIC ADVANCE TO SECOND ROUND

Written by: Staff on 16th August 2016

Western and Southern Open tennis tournament

TENNIS STARS DESCEND ON CINCINNATI, KYRGIOS AND CILIC ADVANCE TO SECOND ROUND

epa05488435 Marin Cilic of Croatia hits a return shot to Viktor Troicki of Serbia in their first round match of the Western & Southern Open tennis championships at the Linder Family Tennis Center in Mason, near Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, 15 August 2016. EPA/TANNEN MAURY |

By Ricky Dimon

Fresh off a gold medal in doubles at the Rio Olympics to go along with a tough fourth-place finish in singles, Rafael Nadal arrived at the Western & Southern Open on Monday afternoon. Nadal was scheduled to practice in the evening, but those plans were eventually cancelled. Rain rather than fatigue or injury may have been the most significant factor in such a development, but that remains to be seen.

Tomas Berdych, who should be well-rested after skipping the Olympics, held his pre-tournament press conference. The hot topic was his new partnership with coach Goran Ivanisevic, who recently split from Marin Cilic.

“I think that was the person I was waiting for,” Berdych said of the 2001 Wimbledon champion. “He’s the guy who found a way to break through. So let’s see if it’s going to be the right thing–the right addition.

“These days I think 30 is not an old age for tennis players,” the Czech continued. “If you look around, I think it’s still a pretty good time. That’s why I’m just trying to look for all the possible help and just trying to improve myself as best as I can.”

As for the on-court action, rain held off just enough to get in a full day of play. Cilic was among those earning spots in the second round, as the 12th-seeded Croat coasted past Viktor Troicki 6-2, 7-5.

Nick Kyrgios of Australia returns to Lucas Pouillem (not pictured) of France in the first round match of the Western & Southern Open tennis championships at the Linder Family Tennis Center in Mason, near Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, 15 August 2016. EPA/TANNEN MAURY

Cilic is joined in the last 32 by an in-form Nick Kyrgios, who is coming off his second career ATP title in Atlanta. Kyrgios had an intriguing Cincinnati opener on his hands against Lucas Pouille, but for the most part the Australian turned it into one-way traffic. He broke serve twice in the first set before taking complete control with a backhand pass on break point at 5-5 in the second. A routine hold at 6-5 gave Kyrgios the win after just one hour and seven minutes.

It as also a stellar day for young Americans. Both Reilly Opelka and Jared Donaldson, who received wild cards into the main draw, battled into the second round. Opelka, a recent Atlanta semifinalist, saved two match points before upsetting Jeremy Chardy 3-6, 7-5, 7-6(9). Donaldson maintained his winning ways by defeating Nicolas Almagro 6-3, 7-6(2).

The only seed to bow out on Monday was No. 10 David Ferrer, whose slump continued with a 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 loss to Julien Benneteau.