Thompson, Hijikata make promising starts in Newport

Newport, USA

A big contingent of Australians are competing at an ATP 250 event in Newport this week. It’s the ultimate grass-court event of the season at ATP degree.

Jordan Thompson made a blistering begin to his singles marketing campaign, powering previous American hope Aleksandar Kovacevic 6-0 6-1.

World No.69 Thompson misplaced a complete of 11 factors on serve within the 66-minute encounter.

Rinky Hijikata additionally recorded a formidable first-round victory.

The 22-year-old Australian didn’t drop serve in his 6-3 6-4 triumph towards Jordan’s Abdullah Shelbayh.

Li Tu and Alex Bolt have boosted the variety of Australians within the singles foremost draw to seven, after finishing profitable qualifying campaigns.

That is the second time that world No.252 Tu has certified for an ATP-level occasion, matching his effort at a grass-court event in Mallorca final month.

For whereas the resurgent Bolt, this marks the primary time he has certified at a tour-level event since September 2021.

The 30-year-old Bolt, who missed six months final yr after present process elbow surgical procedure, faces big-serving American veteran John Isner within the opening spherical, whereas Tu has drawn fellow Australian Aleksandar Vukic.

In doubles motion, John-Patrick Smith and American associate Robert Galloway have already secured a spot within the quarterfinals.

They scored a 7-5 6-4 victory right now towards South African Kevin Anderson and American Ethan Quinn.

The 37-year-old Anderson is a two-time Grand Slam singles finalist. He retired in Might 2022, however is starting a tour return in Newport this week.

Max Purcell and American associate William Blumberg additionally scored a first-round doubles win.

Aussies in motion – Newport

RESULTS
Males’s singles, first spherical
[7] Jordan Thompson (AUS) d Aleksandar Kovacevic (USA) 6-0 6-1
Rinky Hijikata (AUS) d Abdullah Shelbayh (JOR) 6-3 6-4

Males’s qualifying singles, ultimate spherical
[3] Li Tu (AUS) d [7] Illya Marchenko (UKR) 6-3 6-2
[8] Alex Bolt (AUS) d [4] Skander Mansouri (TUN) 6-4 6-1

Males’s doubles, first spherical
John Patrick Smith (AUS)/Robert Galloway (USA) d [WC] Kevin Anderson (RSA)/Ethan Quinn (USA) 7-5 6-4
Max Purcell (AUS)/William Blumberg (USA) d Aleksandar Vukic (AUS)/Fixed Lestienne (FRA) 6-4 7-5

COMING UP
Males’s singles, first spherical
[6] Max Purcell (AUS) v Gijs Brouwer (NED)
Aleksandar Vukic (AUS) v [Q] Li Tu (AUS)
James Duckworth (AUS) v Fixed Lestienne (FRA)
[Q] Alex Bolt (AUS) v John Isner (USA)

Males’s singles, second spherical
[7] Jordan Thompson (AUS) v Liam Broady (GBR)
Rinky Hijikata (AUS) v [2] Adrian Mannarino (FRA)

Males’s doubles, first spherical
[2] Rinky Hijikata (AUS)/Reese Stalder (USA) v Chung Yunseong (KOR)/Aleksandar Kovacevic (USA)
Andrew Harris (AUS)/Evan King (USA) v Andre Goransson (SWE)/Ben McLachlan (JPN)
Jordan Thompson (AUS)/Adrian Mannarino (FRA) v Luca Sanchez (FRA)/Theo Arribage (FRA)

Males’s doubles, quarterfinals
John Patrick Smith (AUS)/Robert Galloway (USA) v TBC
Max Purcell (AUS)/William Blumberg (USA) v TBC