Top seed Marin Cilic ‘feeling good’ after solid first match at the Rio Open
Top seed Marin Cilic made light work of Carlos Berlocq at the Rio Open while fifth seed Albert Ramos-Vinolas also advanced.
Australian Open runner up and world No 3 Cilic needed just 80 minutes to beat the Argentinian qualifier 6-3, 6-2 as he dropped just three points on his first serve.
“I’m feeling good. It was an okay match. It was a solid match, first one on clay,” he told ATPWorldTour.com.
“I wouldn’t say that I played really, really well. I felt that I played well. In the critical moments I think I played my own game, very offensive and overall I think I controlled the match quite okay.”
He will face either Gael Monfils or Horacio Zeballos in the second round.
Fourth seed Ramos-Vinolas found himself in deep trouble as he was down 2-4 in the third set against Rogerio Dutra Silva, but he made a great escape and won 6-3, 3-6, 6-4.
Fifth seed Fabio Fognini was another player who looked set to exit in the first round as he trailled Thomaz Bellucci by one set and was down 0-4 in the second, but he produced a great comeback to win 6-7 (5-7), 7-5, 6-2.
He will face Tennys Sandgren after the American advanced on the back of Roberto Carballes Baena’s retirement.
Meanwhile, Fernando Verdasco is also through after he beat Leonardo Mayer 6-2, 3-6, 6-3.
Latest
-
NewsRafael Nadal drops a set but powers through to French Open semi-finals
Nadal won the final nine games against Diego Schwartzman in a 6-3 4-6 6-4 6-0 victory.
-
French OpenRafael Nadal’s verdict as he bounces back from dropped set to reach semi-finals
Nadal won the final nine games in a 6-3 4-6 6-4 6-0 victory.
-
NewsMaria Sakkari completes unlikely French Open semi-final line-up
Sakkari claimed a 6-4 6-4 victory and will face Barbora Krejcikova in the last four.
-
NewsKatie Boulter delighted hard work is paying off as she continues comeback
The 24-year-old saw her rise halted by a spinal stress fracture and then the Covid-19 pandemic.
-
NewsDan Evans admits life in the tournament bubble is a struggle ahead of Wimbledon
The British number one is playing in the ATP Challenger event in Nottingham.
-
Kevin PalmerTop five tips to play on clay from legendary coach Patrick Mouratoglou
Patrick Mouratoglou has given us his inside track on how to make the most of your game on a clay court.
-
French OpenIga Swiatek suffers shock defeat as her French Open defence comes to an end
Sakkari triumphed 6-4 6-4 and will take on Barbora Krejcikova for a place in the final.
-
French OpenEnd of the road for Coco Gauff as her French Open dream dies
Gauff was unable to take any of five set points in the opening set and lost 7-6 (6) 6-3.
-
NewsStefanos Tsitsipas sees off Daniil Medvedev to reach French Open semi-finals
The story of the 10th day of action at Roland Garros.
-
NewsStefanos Tsitsipas edges through to last four at French Open
The Greek fifth seed settled quickly in the late match against Daniil Medvedev on an empty Philippe Chatrier.