Dominic Thiem among winners in Vienna as John Isner outlasts Cameron Norrie
It was a good day for the seeds at the Vienna Open as Dominic Thiem, John Isner and Kei Nishikori were among the winners.
Top seed and local hero Thiem gave home fans plenty to cheer about as he beat Ruben Bemelmans 7-5, 7-6 (7-5).
Home crowd = 😃@ThiemDomi fights by Ruben Bemelmans 7-5 7-6(5) in Vienna 👏#ErsteBankOpen pic.twitter.com/eLRpC5c7S0
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) October 23, 2018
Next up for the Austrian is Sam Querrey after the American overcame 2011 champion Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.
Third seed Isner had to battle for his win as he saved two match points to defeat British No 2 Cameron Norrie.
Lucky loser Norrie had his chances in the tie-breaker in the second set, but the American prevailed 6-7 (1-7,) 6-4, 7-6 (9-7) in two hours and 19 minutes.
Fifth seed Kei Nishikori also required three sets as he beat American Frances Tiafoe 7-6 (7-3), 5-7, 6-2 while the seventh-seed Fabio Fognini was a 6-4, 6-3 winner over Damir Dzumhur.
Through in three!@keinishikori holds off Tiafoe 7-6(3) 5-7 6-2 to book his spot in the last 16 of the @ErsteBankOpen. pic.twitter.com/S0JMVhUPe8
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) October 23, 2018
Defending champion Lucas Pouille is also safely into the second round as he beat Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-4, 6-7 (5-7), 6-4 while Fernando Verdasco was a 6-7 (6-8), 6-3, 6-4 winner over Pierre-Hugues Herbert.
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