Goffin Impresses In Brisbane Opener

Tuesday’s opening match at Pat Rafter Arena saw No. 6 seed David Goffin record his first win of 2016, a 6-4, 6-4 decision over Brazil’s Thomaz Bellucci at the Brisbane International.

The Belgian surrendered just two points on his first serve (15 for 17) in taking the 40-minute opening set, breaking the left-handed Bellucci at 2-2 to move out in front.

In just their third career FedEx ATP Head2Head encounter (Goffin now leads 2-1), the foes exchanged breaks to open the second set. But Goffin would score his third break of the match at 2-all and consolidate for a 4-2 advantage. He would go on to close out the match in one hour and 22 minutes.

Goffin, 25, overcame four double faults to win 76 per cent (23 of 30) of his first-serve points. He converted three of 10 break-point opportunities. Bellucci finished with seven aces in the losing effort.

In 2015, Goffin became the highest-ranked Belgian in the history of year-end Emirates ATP Rankings at No. 16. He also led Belgium to its first Davis Cup final since 1904 (l. to Great Britain).

Also advancing on Tuesday in Brisbane was Serbia’s Viktor Troicki, a 7-6(3), 6-1 winner over American Steve Johnson in one hour and 10 minutes. Austrian Dominic Thiem overcame a 14-ace performance from home-country favorite James Duckworth, storming back to win 3-6, 6-4, 6-3. Thiem converted three of nine break points in the one-hour and 53-minute comeback.