Rusedski ends winless run
Rusedski claimed his first win since May
Also In The News
|
Chelsea got the defence of their Premiership title off to a perfect start after a 3-0 win over ten-man Manchester City at Stamford Bridge. |  |
Monday, 21, Aug 2006 10:24
British number three Greg Rusedski has claimed his first win since May by beating Ivo Karlovic 7-6 (7-2) 6-7 (7-9) 6-2 at the Pilot Pen tournament in New England.
Rusedski has suffered a barren run and had lost seven matches in succession until coming up against the Croatian.
Things began badly for the 32-year-old as he was broken in his second service game.
However, Karlovic, who had missed a month of tennis because of injury, couldn't capitalise and Rusedski broke back soon after.
The match then went with serve until Rusedski got on top in the tie-break to take it 7-2.
Things were just as tight in the second set and the match went with service throughout, although Rusedski did have two match points which he wasted.
Eventually, the world 138 succumbed 9-7 in the second tie-break of the match.
However, Rusedski grew stronger in the final set and began to get on top of the tall Croat, sealed the match with two breaks in the final set, to set up a second-round tie with Jarkko Nieminen.
Afterwards, Rusedski admitted he was happy with his performance but was worried if his niggling hip injury, which has plagued him since Wimbledon, might affected his chances against the Finn.
"It's always pleasing to win," Rusedski said.
"It will be good to have back-to-back matches to test it (the hip) out because I have not had to come back the second day before."
Elsewhere, American Mardy Fish cruised into the second round as he beat Italian Davide Sanguinetti 6-3 6-3.