Copyright © 2016. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.

Photo by Alex Smith

In a first round match, which is sure to go down in history as an honorable first meeting, former junior world No. 1 Taylor Fritz squared off against former world No. 2, Michael Mmoh.

The much-anticipated match between the main draw wild card and qualifier gave fans a look at the future of American tennis and as of now, bragging rights belong to Fritz, who overpowered his compatriot to a 6-3, 6-4 victory.

Fritz set the tone for the match early, quickly holding serve in the first game of the first set at love in 50 seconds. Mmoh would manage to maintain control of the match from his end until Fritz drew first blood, breaking his opponent at 3-2 and finishing the opener at 6-4.

In the end, the firepower of Fritz’ forehand would be too much for his fellow rising American to handle, needing only one more break of serve to win 6-3, 6-4. Fritz now faces No. 2 seed Steve Johnson.

Qualifier Henri Laaksonen looks to continue dream run in Memphis, now having to face American Sam Querrey. After 40 minutes on the court, The Swiss proceeded to pound opponent Matthew Ebden, on his way to a straight set victory until Ebden retired at 6-1, 3-0. Laaksonen is now through to the second round of an ATP event for the third time in his career.

Less than 24 hours after they defeated the Bryan brothers on the basketball court, the American duo of Sam Querrey and Steve Johnson needed just 57 minutes to take out Sam Groth and Marcell Granollers, 6-3, 6-4.

On the Grandstand, a meeting of the two smallest competitors we ensue, with Dudi Sela and Ricardas Berankis meeting for the first time. The three set tussle began with the two baseliners attempting to wear each other down with long rallies. With similar games, it was no surprise the first set would result in a tiebreaker, which went in Sela’s favor.

Berankis fired back hard in the second to take the set easily at 6-2. Before claiming the third and the match, an exchange of breaks took the match to nearly the 3-hour mark with Berankis taking the win, 6-7(5), 6-2, 7-5.

In an all-American first round match up, Austin Krajicek and Nicholas Monroe defeated heavily favored three-time Memphis champs, Bob and Mike Bryan.

The Bryan brothers, also the No. 1 seeds, start off quickly, taking the first set 6-1 in routine fashion. With the match seeming to look like a conclusion was near, Krajieck and Monroe turned the tables on the all-time winningest doubles due and held serve throughout the second set, forcing a tiebreaker. With Krajicek and Monroe not slipping from their focus, routine errors of the rackets of both the twins would cost them the set, 7-6 (5).

Upon the start of the third set super tiebreak, it was evident from the chatter in the crowd that the possibility of an upset was slowly becoming a reality.

The Bryans seemed to regain form, obtaining a quick mini break which would eventually lead them to match point at 9-8. But the resilience of Monroe would not be denied. Coaching his younger partner through the moment, Krajicek would fend off the next two match points, soon earning his own.

With the match on Monroe’s racket, a big serve into the body of Mike Bryan would be all that was needed to cap the upset, 1-6, 7-6(5), 12-10.

Krajicek and Monroe now await the winner of Chris Guccione/Philipp Oswald and Marius Fyrstenberg/Santiago Gonzalez, the defending champs.

t was not a good night for the higher seeds on Tuesday, for shortly after the departure of the Bryans, last minute wild cards, Taylor Fritz and Ryan Harrison defeated the No. 2 seeds, Max Mirnyi and Treat Huey, 7-6(3), 6-4.

In the final match of the day, American wild card Tommy Paul faced the German veteran, Benjamin Becker.

Paul started early play as if he had been on the big stage before, keeping pace with Becker until a loose service game led to a break at 4-3. After losing the first set, Paul began to make his comeback.

Still keeping his composure, the teenager began to frustrate Becker with a flurry of long rallies that kept the German on the run. Paul’s plan eventually led to a break on Becker’s behalf and the second set, 6-4.

Becker, who has seen many situations as the one he was now in did not flaunt at the moment, but only capitalized on the young pro’s inexperience, breaking him twice and riding out to a 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. Victory. Becker will face Australian John Millman in the second round.

Copyright © 2016. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.