Brisbane International: Defending champion Grigor Dimitrov beat Yannick Hanfmann to eases into second round

Brisbane: Defending champion Grigor Dimitrov eased into round two of the Brisbane International with a hard-fought win over qualifier Yannick Hanfmann on Monday, but Holger Rune crashed to defeat.

Bulgaria’s second seed Dimitrov has a great track record in the city, winning the title twice, as well as making the final in 2013. His 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 victory over Germany’s Hanfmann was his 24th in Brisbane, more than any other player.

Czech Jiri Lehecka caused a major upset with a 7-5, 6-3 win over third seeded Norwegian Rune.

Earlier, eighth seeded Australian Jordan Thompson came from a set down to overcome former world number six Italian Matteo Berrettini 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Berrettini is now 34th in the world, only eight places behind Thompson and that closeness showed in a match that last two hours, 15 minutes on Pat Rafter Arena.

In other matches, French qualifier Benjamin Bonzi upset sixth seeded Chilean Alejandro Tabilo 6-7 (8/10), 7-6 (7/5), 6-4, while American Alex Michelsen beat Australia’s Christopher O’Connell 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (12/10).

Chile’s Nicolas Jarry downed Mariano Navone of Argentina and Japanese qualifier Yoshihito Nishioka beat Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech, both in straight sets.

In the women’s draw, Russia’s Polina Kudermetova defeated China’s Wang Yafan 6-1, 6-3. However, the Russian’s older sister Veronika was knocked out by American Payton Stearns 6-2, 6-3.

Ukraine’s Anhelina Kalinina progressed when her Chinese opponent Wang Xinyu retired hurt with Kalinina leading 6-4, 2-0. In an all Australian battle, wildcard Kimberly Birrell outlasted training partner Priscilla Hon 3-6, 7-5, 6-2. Agencies

Also Read: French Open: Jannik Sinner beats Grigor Dimitrov to reach semi-finals

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