Goffin Begins Sydney Campaign
David Goffin earned his first victory in eight months on Monday, downing Facundo Bagnis 6-4, 6-4 to reach the second round at the Sydney Tennis Classic.
The 31-year-old endured an injury-hit 2021 campaign, curtailing his season in September following the US Open due to a knee problem. However, the Belgian showed little sign of rustiness against World No. 71 Bagnis to advance after one hour and 31 minutes. Goffin’s last win came against Salvatore Caruso at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia in May.
The five-time tour-level titlist, who broke Bagnis four times en route to victory, will next play Argentine Federico Delbonis or World No. 44 Albert Ramos-Vinolas.
Fifth seed Lorenzo Sonego also booked his place in the second round with a hard-fought 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 win over Frenchman Hugo Gaston.
[FOLLOW ACTION]The Italian was competing for the first time this year. Sonego won 81 per cent (44/54) of his first-serve points and fired eight aces to edge Gaston in two hours and 43 minutes.
The World No. 27 now leads the 21-year-old 2-0 in their ATP Head2Head series and will next face qualifier Christopher O’Connell or #NextGenATP Argentine Sebastian Baez.
Australian Jordan Thompson also moved through at the ATP 250 event on Ken Rosewall Arena, defeating American Marcos Giron 6-4, 6-2 in 83 minutes. The wild card rallied from a break down in the first set to set up a meeting with fourth seed Reilly Opelka in the second round.