27 August 2013 | Tennis Queensland

Bernard Tomic has survived an epic five-set match against Spain’s Albert Ramos to progress with fellow Queenslander Ashleigh Barty to the second round of the US Open.

The world number 52 fought back from two sets to one and a break down to eventually win 6-3, 3-6, 4-6, 7-6 (7/1), 6-3 in a tussle lasting almost four hours.

Tomic was in command during the first set, grabbing early control with a flurry of drop shots and powerful forehands to race out to a 5-0 lead.

In the sixth game he took his foot off the pedal to allow Ramos into the set but quickly regained control to take it out in just 33 minutes. But when the Spaniard went ahead a break in the fourth se, Tomic was looking down the barrel of another early grand slam exit.

In the final set Tomic played smart, moving Ramos around the court on what appeared to be an injured leg and playing on his low first serve percentage to break in the fifth game.

He closed out the match with another service break, continuing his strong record in five set matches on tour where he has won five of six encounters.

Tomic said he had to dig deep to turn the match around in the fourth set.

“It didn’t look too bright for me in the fourth set,” Tomic said.

“He was playing good and I was mentally down.

“I managed to stay in there and give myself a chance of getting one more break point. I got it in the end after eight or nine break points. Then I became more free with myself and started going for my shots.”

Promising young wildcard Ashleigh Barty joined Tomic with a win in her first match at Flushing Meadows against Spanish No.102 Estrella Cabeza Candella who sits nine years and 67 rankings places above Barty.

Barty dominated the first set, but the match tightened up in the early stages of the second before she prevailed 6-1, 6-4 in 69 minutes. The 17-year-old’s second singles victory in her three majors this season complements some outstanding doubles results – including two finals – with partner Casey Dellacqua.

“I know that if I play my best I can beat anybody, really, and I was happy with the way I played today, so I’m just looking forward to my second round in the next couple of days,” Barty said.

Doubles, she said, had provided invaluable experience, but grand slam singles, “that’s where you want to perform your best, and I’ve had a good last couple of slams, so I’m really happy with the way I’ve been playing.”

Barty will next play Russian 32nd seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, who eliminated Virginie Razzano in straight sets, and conceded just two games to Barty in Kuala Lumpur earlier this year in their only previous meeting.

Tomic, on the other hand, will face surprise British qualifier Daniel Evans in the second round after the world number 179 stunned 11th seed Kei Nishikori in straight sets 6-4, 6-4, 6-2.

Full round 2 results for both players will be available soon.