Goffin Races Past Mahut In Rotterdam

David Goffin got his 2018 ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament campaign off to a great start on Tuesday, beating France’s Nicolas Mahut 6-1, 6-3 in 64 minutes.

Last year’s runner-up charged through the first set, breaking his opponent twice while dropping just five points on his own serve. The Frenchman, who replaced compatriot Benoit Paire in the draw, started the second set in great fashion, with break points to lead 2-0, but Goffin battled his way out of trouble and eventually re-asserted his authority to reach the last 16.

Goffin, who served seven aces in eight service games, will meet Spain’s Feliciano Lopez for a place in the quarter-finals. Lopez recorded just his second win in nine visits to Rotterdam on Monday, beating 2016 champion Martin Klizan 6-3, 7-6(4).

In a battle of recent Sydney International champions, 2018 champion Daniil Medvedev upset 2017 winner Gilles Muller 6-4, 7-6(9) in exactly two hours to advance to the second round. The 22-year-old Russian hit 12 aces to upset the ninth seed and will meet the winner of the all-French first-round match between Richard Gasquet and Pierre-Hugues Herbert.

Philipp Kohlschreiber began action on centre court with an impressive come-from-behind 3-6, 7-6(1), 7-6(5) win over Karen Khachanov. Winless in 2018 heading into Rotterdam, the German 34-year-old won 104 points to the Russian’s 105 but held firm in the crucial moments to set up a second-round meeting against top seed Roger Federer or qualifier Ruben Bemelmans.

Did You Know?
David Goffin entered the 2017 ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament, where he reached the final (l. to Tsonga), with an 0-3 record.