MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Top-seeded Marin Cilic of Croatia was taken to three sets Monday before defeating Ivan Dodig 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 in the opening round of the U.S. National Indoor Championships.
Cilic ranked 12th, got out slowly in the first set, but controlled the final two en route to the second round. He won 89 percent of the points when he converted his first serve, but managed only six aces to Dodig’s 13 in the match that lasted 1:46.
Cilic was the only seeded player on the men’s side of the tournament to play on Monday. Third-seeded John Isner and Sam Querrey, the tournament’s No. 4 seed, are expected to open play Tuesday.
On the women’s side of the tournament, top-seeded Kirsten Flipkens of Belgium and second-seeded Sofia Arvidsson of Sweden were straight-set winners earlier Monday.