SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP)—Ryan Harrison advanced to the second round of the SAP Open with his latest upset Wednesday, outlasting eighth-seeded Olivier Rochus of Belgium 4-6, 6-2, 6-3.
The 19-year-old American rallied past Rochus from 3-1 down in the third set to win the final five games. Harrison overpowered the 50th-ranked Rochus 27 aces to none, riding the momentum from last weekend’s Davis Cup victory over Switzerland.
“I think that’s one of the best service nights I’ve ever had,” Harrison said. “I could feel it early and I just kept it rolling.”
Day 3 of the tournament had a schedule packed with former and future promising Americans.
And following recent history, not all delivered.
Sam Querrey lost his second-round match against Russia’s Denis Istomin 5-7, 6-3, 7-5. Andy Roddick was scheduled to face fellow American Denis Kudla later Wednesday night in his first match since retiring in the second round of the Australian Open with a right hamstring injury last month.
At the very least, another young American showed progress.
Harrison, fresh off his Davis Cup debut that helped the U.S sweep Switzerland 5-0, powered past Rochus with a swift serve and brilliant return game. The American overcame a slow start to reach the second round, where he will face another American, Robby Ginepri.
Harrison arrived in the Bay Area on Monday afternoon following a flight through nine time zones. The jet-lagged righty also had to adjust from clay to indoor courts and a ball that doesn’t have quite the same pop.
“A lot of variables,” Harrison said.
Harrison sneaked in 78 percent of his first serves and had only three double faults. Even with all the travels, he seemed in solid shape, wearing down his opponent in a 2-hour, six-minute match.
Earlier Wednesday, Matthew Ebden beat Dudi Sela 6-7 (7), 6-2, 7-6 (1). But the main attractions of the tournament were set to debut in the nightcap.
Roddick, who had a first-round bye, partially tore a tendon in his hamstring against Lleyton Hewitt on Jan. 19. He was injured in the second set against Hewitt, played 16 more games before retiring and has only practiced sparingly since.
Defending SAP Open champion Milos Raonic of Canada also was facing Germany’s Tobias Kamke on Wednesday night.