Kuznetsov Upsets Cuevas In Hamburg Opener

Russia’s Andrey Kuznetsov capitalised on Pablo Cuevas’ lack of match practice over the past six weeks to knock out last year’s runner-up on Tuesday at the German Tennis Championships 2017.

Kuznetsov, who advanced to last week’s SkiStar Swedish Open semi-finals (l. to Dolgopolov), fought all the way to beat the second-seeded Uruguayan 3-6, 7-5, 6-4 in two hours and four minutes for a place in the second round against Florian Mayer of Germany. Cuevas, who struck 10 aces, has recently overcome a right knee injury.

“I knew it wasn’t going to be an easy match against Pablo, a very good player on clay courts,” said Kuznetsov. “I’m very happy that I didn’t give up, because after the first set I was a little unlucky. I continued to fight and I’m happy about the way I played. I knew I had to be aggressive as his serve is very good. I waited for my chances, especially in the third set until 5-4, when he hit three or four second serves.”

Third seed and #NextGenATP Karen Khachanov, the leading Russian at No. 32 in the Emirates ATP Rankings, recorded his 20th match win of the year on his Hamburg debut with a 6-4, 6-3 win over German qualifier Rudolf Molleker in 70 minutes. He will next play Aljaz Bedene or lucky loser Jose Hernandez-Fernandez, who replaced Rogerio Dutra Silva, who pulled out with a right leg injury.

Wild card Tommy Haas, appearing at his hometown tournament for the first time since 2013 and 20 years since he made his debut, fell to Argentinean Nicolas Kicker 7-5, 6-2 in 86 minutes. Haas, 39, lost in the 2012 final to Juan Monaco, who retired in May this year. Kicker now faces fifth seed Benoit Paire.

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