Kovacevic beats Van Assche 6-1 7-6 in Winston-Salem opener

Aleksandar Kovacevic controlled the opening set and then held his nerve in a tiebreak to see off Luca Van Assche 6-1 7-6 in the Winston-Salem round of 32. The American's serve was the difference: he landed 61.5% of first deliveries and won 80% of those points, while backing it up with 68% behind the second ball and eight aces. Van Assche found the court with only 57.4% of his first serves, won 60% of them and just 53.8% behind the second, and six double faults added to his troubles. The win sends Kovacevic through on a surface that suits his game.