Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships 2016: ATP Scores and Results from Tuesday
Stan Wawrinka suffered a scare in the opening round of the Dubai Duty Free Championships on Tuesday, dropping the first set against Sergiy Stakhovsky before powering through to win 5-7, 6-3, 7-5.
The second seed was tested by the tall Ukrainian throughout the contest, and he now moves forward from the round of 32 in the United Arab Emirates.
Fellow seeds Tomas Berdych, Roberto Bautista Agut and Philipp Kohlschreiber cruised through to the next round after straightforward wins over Joao Sousa, Simone Bolelli and Marsel Ilhan, respectively.
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Martin Klizan of Slovakia was the only seeded player to fall on Tuesday, losing 6-3, 3-6, 2-6 against the impressive Nick Kyrgios.
Read on as we provide a breakdown of all of Tuesday's results from the Aviation Club Tennis Centre.
| Stan Wawrinka (2) | 5-7, 6-3, 7-5 | Sergiy Stakhovsky |
| Tomas Berdych (3) | 6-1, 6-4 | Joao Sousa |
| Roberto Bautista Agut (4) | 6-2, 6-4 | Simone Bolelli |
| Philipp Kohlschreiber (8) | 6-1, 7-5 | Marsel Ilhan |
| Boma Coric | 6-4, 6-4 | Jiri Vesely |
| Thomas Fabbiano (Q) | 6-3. 6-4 | Leonardo Mayer |
| Mikhail Kukushkin | 7-5, 7-6(3) | Denis Istomin |
| Lukas Rosol | 2-6, 7-6(2), 6-0 | Yuki Bhambri |
| Franko Skugor (Q) | 6-2, 6-3 | Teymuraz Gabashvili |
| Nick Kyrgios | 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 | Martin Klizan (7) |
All stats via ATP World Tour.
Tuesday Recap
Wawrinka almost became the first major upset victim of Tuesday's action, as he battled Stakhovsky in a surprisingly tricky affair.
The Ukrainian is ranked down the pecking order, just inside the world's top 100 players, but he tested the two-time major winner in Dubai.
The Swiss star has previously been defeated in the first round of the competition in his two previous visits, and it appeared he could be on for a hat-trick of disappointments.
Stakhovsky disposed of his opponent in 45 minutes in the first set, dropping his own serve before breaking Wawrinka twice in a row.
The Ukrainian won 76 per cent on his first serve, compared to his opponent's 67 per cent, and he wrestled control of the match.
Wawrinka quickly came back in the second to claim the set 6-3, but the encounter stood at 5-4 to Stakhovsky in the third, and just two points from victory at 30-0. Wawrinka dug his heels in and saved the match, forcing an impressive finale.
The 30-year-old took the final three games in a row and proceeds into the next round. Wawrinka said after the battle, per ATP World Tour:
"It's good for my confidence but it was a tough first match. I was hesitating, always being behind, staying aggressive. And it's tough to play especially against Stakhovsky, who doesn't give you too much rhythm. But it's a great win for me. Not playing well, still winning, still fighting, still finding a way. I was playing a little bit better at the end, trying to be the aggressive player on the court. It's good to have a chance to play better tomorrow.
"
Tennis TV shared a comprehensive breakdown of the stats:
Berdych displayed his best form as he jettisoned past Sousa in the round of 32, dropping only five games in a 6-1, 6-4 demolition.
The world No. 7 won the first three games of the first set without reply, and he broke his opponent twice to stride ahead.
Sousa played stronger in the second set, but the Czech Republic star made short work of his opponent, once again breaking him twice.
Bautista Agut cruised through to the next round against Bolelli, never looking in trouble against the talented Italian.
The Spaniard completed a comprehensive win in one hour and 24 minutes, taking the victory 6-2, 6-4.
Wawrinka will benefit from a tough match in his first-round encounter, and he has previously found Stakhovsky a difficult player to beat.
The Swiss player can now move forward after a close match, and he offers top seed Novak Djokovic his most credible threat for the championship.
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