Kovacevic outlasts Khachanov in Cincinnati first round

Aleksandar Kovacevic came from a set down to beat Karen Khachanov 5-7, 6-3, 7-6 in the opening round in Cincinnati, closing out a two-hour-plus battle in a third-set tiebreak. The American's serve carried him: he landed only 53 percent of first deliveries but won 86.8 percent of those points, and even on second serve he took 63.8 percent, a decisive edge over Khachanov's 58.7. The Russian struck more aces, 16 to 10, yet also missed more, with four double faults to Kovacevic's two, and won just 76.3 percent behind his first ball. It was a statement win for Kovacevic over a far more established opponent.