Istomin Sets Cilic Clash In Moscow
Defending champion and top seed Marin Cilic will open his Kremlin Cup by Bank of Moscow campaign against Denis Istomin after the Uzbekistani defeated Aljaz Bedene 6-3, 6-3 in the first round on Wednesday.
Cilic takes a 5-1 FedEx ATP Head2Head lead over Istomin into their second-round clash at this ATP World Tour 250 indoor hard court tournament. The Croat is looking to claim his first title of 2015 and continue his strong finish to what has been an injury hit season. Istomin captured his maiden ATP World Tour title earlier this year in Nottingham (d. Querrey).
World No. 70 Lucas Pouille claimed his 11th win of the season. The 21-year-old Frenchman was leading 7-5, 4-1 when Simone Bolelli retired from their first-round contest. Pouille goes on to face Daniel Gimeno-Traver.
Teymuraz Gabashvili upset No. 3 seed Viktor Troicki 6-2, 6-3, winning 85 per cent (23 of 27) of his first-serve points in the one hour, four minute second-round clash.
Ricardas Berankis also advanced, beating Malek Jaziri 6-4, 6-4 in 84 minutes. As a qualifier last year, the Lithuanian knocked out World No. 9 Milos Raonic to reach the quarter-finals (l. to Bautista Agut).
Second seed Roberto Bautista Agut saved the only break point he faced in dismissing Marsel Ilhan in one hour and 15 minutes 6-2, 7-5.