Kyrgios advances at clay court event

LOS ANGELES: Nick Kyrgios rallied from the first set loss to defeat unseeded American Bjorn Fratangelo 6-7 (2/7), 6-1, 6-2 in the second round of the US Men’s Claycourt Championship. The 22-year-old Australian fourth seed hammered 21 aces and broke Fratangelo’s serve four times in the one hour, 32 minute match. Kyrgios is making his debut in the event and is seeking his first career claycourt title. He has been hampered by injuries this season, pulling out of Rotterdam, Delray Beach, Indian Wells and Acapulco tournaments with back and elbow problems.

Houston ATP results (x denotes seed): 2nd rd Ivo Karlovic (CRO) bt Denis Kudla (USA) 7-5, 7-5, Tennys Sandgren (USA x8) bt Nicolás Kicker (ARG) 6-2, 7-6 (7/3)Guido Pella (ARG) bt Sam Querrey (USA x2) 2-6, 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/3)Nick Kyrgios (AUS x4) bt Bjorn Fratangelo (USA) 6-7 (2/7), 6-1, 6-2.