John Isner has avoided a surprise exit by comfortably beating Jimmy Wang 7-6 6-4 6-4 in the first round of the Australian Open.
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Both players looked comfortable on serve in the opener, with Wang missing the only opportunity to convert a break point in what proved to be a tight start to the match.
However, it was Isner who held his nerve in the tie-break to take the first set with a 7-5 success.
Wang was forced onto the front foot as he looked for a way back into the match, but he was left with an uphill challenge when Isner used a solitary break of serve to win the second set.
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Two break points were saved by Wang early in the third, and he continued to match his the 19th seed for long spells until Isner secured another break.
The breakthrough would be the beginning of the end for Wang as Isner confidently served out to progress in Melbourne.
Callum Mulvihill
