Appetizers Fritz and Garin win on Monday

Taylor Fritz and Cristian Garin have reached the second round at the Libéma Open. The young American defeated the Austrian wild card player Jurij Rodionov with 7-6 6-2 while the seventh seed from Chile beat the Italian qualifier Salvatore Caruso with 6-1 6-4.

The left-handed Rodionov, the number 211 of the world rankings, did not cash in four break chances in the first set at 5-5. He went down in the tie break. Grass fan Fritz avoided a tie break in the second set and served to hold to love to a 6-4 victory.

A heavy task awaits him in the next round. Second seed Borna Coric, who entered the tournament with a wild card at the last minute, will be his opponent. The Croatian number 14 of the world received a bye in the first round.

Garin, who has already won two ATP tournaments this year, might meet Robin Haase in the next round. However, the home player must defeat the young Frenchman Ugo Humbert first.