MANILA, Philippines – Philippine Maverick Jo-Wilfried Tsonga fended off a first round flurry by Denis Istomin to capture the next two sets and punch his ticket to second round of the Winston-Salem Open.
The Frenchman, who is playing only his second year in the US Open, weathered a 5-7 outing in the first. He mounted a gritty 6-4 second set that led to a brilliant 6-1 showing in the third.
"I just tried to be more consistent and put the ball in the court, but it was not easy," Tsonga told the ATP team on field that reported his victory. "It was new conditions for me and the first match is always tough."
Istomin, who is ranked 69th in the world, has faced the Maverick five times in their pro career. The last met in Beijing in 2012, also in a hard court surface.
Tsonga has won all of his outings with the Uzbek. They are both right-handed.
The World No. 19 joins fast rising Croatian star Borna Coric in the list of Philippine Mavericks advancing in the Winston-Salem.
Next up for the French is Steve Johnson, a third-year pro netter from the United States.
Tsonga and Coric, meanwhile, are set for a visit here for the second leg of the International Premier Tennis League's Season Two.