Corrientes native Leonardo Mayer enjoyed a convincing opener in the Shanghai Masters 1000, downing local favourite Di Wu in straight sets to advance to the second round of the prestigious tennis competition.
The world No. 25 had few problems in dispatching the Chinese challenger 6-4, 6-1, as he cut a run of two consecutive defeats to join Juan Mónaco in the next round. Mayer’s next clash will be against Swiss legend Roger Federer, while ‘Pico’ faces 8th-ranked Canadian Milos Raonic.
Mayer had to fight hard in the opening set to break down Wu, breaking his opponent just once in 41 minutes of play. The Argentine took the advantage at 5-4 up, serving out the set to put his nose in front.
The second set was far more one-sided, as Mayer broke his rival three times to run away with the match and ensure his continuity in the Shanghai tournament.
Elsewhere in the Masters, Andy Murray broke down Russian Teimuraz Gabashvili 6-1, 7-5 to qualify comfortably for the second round. Spain’s Feliciano López, on the other hand, struggled to overcome Thanasi Kokkinakis before running out a 6-7, 6-3, 6-4 winner, setting up a clash against compatriot Rafael Nadal.
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