On day one of The Boodles, a competitive grass court exhibition ahead of Wimbledon, 2009 US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro and Italian Fabio Fognini were among winners on day one at Stoke Park. Also claiming day one victories were two Serbs, Viktor Troicki and Janko Tipsarevic as top men's stars look to hone their grass court preparation ahead of the third major of the season.
Del Potro eases past Coric in straight sets
After a semifinal run in Stuttgart at the Mercedes Cup, former US Open winner and 2013 Wimbledon semifinalist Juan Martin del Potro kept his good grass court form going with a comfortable 6-2, 6-3 win over young Croatian Borna Coric. After breaking early in the opening set, the Argentine was able to steal another break with Coric serving to stay in the set to take it 6-2 off a long forehand from the Croat.
In the second, Del Potro gained a key break at 4-3 off a netted backhand from Coric, giving himself the chance to serve for the match. From that point on the world number 164 cruised, serving the match out to love off a Coric backhand floating wide to give him another win on the grass going into SW19.
Fognini edges Isner in champion's tiebreak
After getting married to 2015 US Open champion Flavia Pennetta earlier this month in Italy, mercurial Italian Fabio Fognini claimed his first win of the grass court season over big serve John Isner. In typical Fognini fashion, an abysmal first set performance gifted Isner the set 6-0, before the flamboyant Italian upped his game in the second. With his back against the wall, Fognini responded, breaking the six-foot-11 serve of Isner a few times to bring up set point. On set point, the Italian showcased his immense potential, executing a perfect dive volley winner to level the match at a set all.
In a ten point tiebreaker or a champion's tiebreak, Fognini showcased some impressive returning skills, gaining a few mini-break off the Isner serve, resulting in a 10-5 win to secure the match in three sets.
Other winners on day one
Other winners on day one included two Serbs, with Viktor Troicki and Janko Tipsarevic both claiming opening day victories. Troicki held off big-hitting Frenchmen Jeremy Chardy 7-5, 6-4, while Tipsarevic upended Spaniard Nicolas Almagro 6-2, 7-6.
On day two of The Boodles at Stoke Park, Dutchmen Robin Haase faces Brit Aljaz Bedene, world number one Novak Djokovic goes toe to toe with Belgian David Goffin, and Viktor Troicki and Janko Tipsarevic return to the courts against Lucas Pouille and Juan Monaco on day two at The Boodles.