Barton victorious in US Open qualifying
Aussie Matt Barton has continued his impressive Grand Slam form with a win in the opening round of US Open qualifying in New York.
New York, NY, USA, 24 August 2016 | tennis.com.au
Matt Barton has advanced to the second round of US Open qualifying with an impressive upset win over No.5 seed Nikoloz Baliashvili.
Barton won the thriller 6-7(3) 6-2 7-6(6).
It sets up a second-round meeting with Czech Jiri Satral, who beat American Christopher Eubanks.
Barton announced himself as a Grand Slam force when he used his booming serve and back-court power to qualify for Wimbledon and then reach the second round, his best ever result.
He had never before gone past the second round of qualifying at a major event.
In other Aussie results, Sam Groth and Ben Mitchell bowed out at the first hurdle of qualifying.
Groth went down 3-6 7-6(4) 6-2 to Slovak Jozef Kovalik, while Mitchell was brushed aside 6-1 6-2 by Albert Montanes.
Compatriots John-Patrick Smith, Luke Saville, Andrew Whittington and Arina Rodionova will be in action on the second day of qualifying on Wednesday.