Chung Survives In Five For First Tour-Level Win Since January

Hyeon Chung was made to work to earn his first tour-level victory since the Australian Open in January. The Korean overcame American Ernesto Escobedo 3-6, 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-2 in front of a raucous Court 10 crowd on Day 2 at the US Open.

The Korean, who is in the midst of a comeback from a back injury, needed three hours and 37 minutes to outlast Escobedo. He missed six months with the ailment and has been flying in his return to action. A qualifier this fortnight at Flushing Meadows, Chung now owns a 12-1 record since kicking off his comeback on the ATP Challenger Tour a month ago.

Watch: Chung Making Most Of Comeback

It was a fifth five-set win for Chung, who will next face Fernando Verdasco. The Spanish veteran secured his 30th match win at the US Open, defeating Tobias Kamke 6-3, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2. He converted six of 15 break chances to earn his first win over the German since 2011.

Former champion Marin Cilic also advanced on Tuesday, downing Martin Klizan 6-3, 6-3, 7-6(6). The 2014 winner in New York has reached the quarter-finals or better in five of 10 appearances. He will hope to go one step further when he faces Cedrik-Marcel Stebe next. Stebe, the runner-up last month on the clay of Gstaad, ousted Filip Krajinovic 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(6) on Court 4.

Meanwhile, Gael Monfils turned in an efficient performance against Albert Ramos-Vinolas, streaking to a 7-6(2), 6-4, 6-3 victory under the lights. The first round meeting concluded at 9:18pm, with Monfils firing 40 winners in total, including eight aces.

Awaiting the Frenchman is Marius Copil, who triumphed over #NextGenATP star Ugo Humbert 6-3, 5-7, 7-6(11), 4-6, 6-1 in a marathon four hours and 15 minutes. The Romanian seized the momentum in the 24-point third-set tie-break, saving four set points en route to victory.

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