Shanghai: del Potro survives, young guns thrive

Juan Martin del Potro was given a scare by qualifier Nikoloz Basilashvili before advancing to the second round of the ATP Shanghai Masters.

Del Potro required nearly two hours to hold off the world No.59, winning 6-2 3-6 6-4 – after saving four break points when serving at 4-4 in the final set – to book a second-round date with Andrey Rublev.

Rublev, a 19-year-old Russian, was a 6-1 4-6 6-1 victor Damir Dzumhur of Bosnia.

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He was one of several young guns progressing to the second round of the Masters 1000 tournament.

Also advancing on Monday were 21-year-old Korean Hyeon Chung – an upset winner over No.9 seed Roberto Bautista Agut – and Greek qualifier Stefanos Tsitsipas, a 19-year-old who overcame Russian Karen Khachanov 7-5 6-3.

Qualifier Fraces Tiafoe, 19, beat Benoit Paire 6-4 6-4, and could next face fellow American Sam Querrey in the second round.

“A lot of us younger guys are playing well, doing well, and it’s going to help others step up,” Tiafoe said.

“I think you’re going to see a lot of us in the top 50. The other guys are going to have to leave eventually.”

Another winner was 22-year-old Brit Kyle Edmund, who saw off Jiri Vesely in straight sets.

Veterans Feliciano Lopez, Richard Gasquet and Albert Ramos-Vinolas also sealed their spots in the second round