Borges edges Kokkinakis in two tiebreaks in Cincinnati opener

Nuno Borges recovered from a set down to beat Thanasi Kokkinakis 5-7 7-6 7-6 in the Cincinnati first round, with both of the last two sets settled in tiebreaks. Serve dominated throughout: Kokkinakis struck 20 aces to Borges's 18, but the Portuguese was the steadier of the two, landing 65.7% of first serves against 53.8% and winning 88.1% of those points to Kokkinakis's 82.8%. The Australian was the better second-serve player, taking 54.5% against 48.6%, yet his five double faults to Borges's three proved costly in the tight moments. Borges advanced from a match that hinged on a handful of points.