Fritz Outlasts Verdasco In Shanghai Opener

Taylor Fritz advanced to the Rolex Shanghai Masters second round for the third time on Sunday, outlasting Fernando Verdasco 7-6(2), 6-7(5), 6-4.

The 21-year-old claimed his second victory in three FedEx ATP Head2Head encounters against the Spaniard after two hours and 39 minutes, saving eight of 10 break points en route to victory. The Nature Valley International champion improves to 28-25 at tour-level this year.

Fritz will face seventh seed Karen Khachanov for a spot in the third round. Khachanov arrives in Shanghai after a semi-final run at the China Open in Beijing.

Georgia’s Nikoloz Basilashvili recovered from a set down to defeat Radu Albot 4-6, 6-1, 6-3 in the opening match on Center Court. The 15th seed, who broke serve on four occasions throughout the first-round encounter, will next face Italy’s Marco Cecchinato or Benoit Paire of France.

Competing in his 45th tour-level match of the year (24-21), Hubert Hurkacz defeated Zhizen Zhang 7-6(5), 6-4. The Winston-Salem Open titlist saved all four break points he faced throughout the 81-minute encounter and will meet ninth seed Gael Monfils or Lorenzo Sonego in the second round.

Portugal’s Joao Sousa came from behind to move past Filip Krajinovic 2-6, 6-4, 7-6(5). The World No. 62 landed 10 aces and claimed 78 per cent of first-serve points (45/58) to earn his first main draw win in five matches at the ATP Masters 1000 event.