Tennys Sandgren had to battle to beat fellow Tennessee college teammate John-Patrick Smith in the first round of the Great Ocean Road Open today, eventually prevailing 6-3, 5-7, 6-4.
Sandgren had to overcome his own emotions as he screamed “I hate this sport” after losing a point in a second set blow-out when he was 5-4 in front.
In anger he threw away his racket, picking up a points violation in the process.
Sandgren saved 11 of the 15 break points he faced and won 71 per cent of his second-serve return points to advance after two hours and 15 minutes.
The American will next play Italian Salvatore Caruso.
Young Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz also advanced, beating Attila Balazs after the Hungarian retired with a heel injury.
And Uruguayan Pablo Cuevas moved into the second round with a 6-4, 6-2 victory against 14th seed Pablo Andujar.
