Denis Kudla makes progress in Memphis Open

09 February 2016 05:23

Denis Kudla turned in a ruthless display as he comfortable made it to the second round of the Memphis Open with a 6-4 6-2 victory over Rajeev Ram.

The fifth seed sent down five aces on his way to victory in little under an hour, converting three of his five break points and never facing a break point on his own serve.

Sixth seed Sam Groth is on his way home though after slipping to a 7-6 (7/4) 7-6 (7/2) defeat to Ukraine's Illya Marchenko.

Groth served 15 aces but couldn't find a way to break the Marchenko serve in the first meeting of their careers.

Ryan Harrison had to work hard to overcome the challenge of American teenager Frances Tiafoe.

Harrison had to save a match point before prevailing 6-7 (7/0) 7-6 (10/8) 6-4.

Japan's Yoshihito Nishioka saw off Jared Donaldson 6-3 6-4, while Mikhail Kukushkin beat Luca Vanni 6-4 7-6 (7/4).

Source: PA