Thompson advances to all-Aussie showdown
Jordan Thompson has won through to the second round of ATP Tour's Winston-Salem Open to set up a meeting with fellow Australian Max Purcell.
Thompson powered through the first set and finished strongly, either side of a mid-match dip, to see off Guido Pella 6-1 1-6 6-3 in two hours and eight minutes.
World No.59 Thomson fired down 11 aces and dominated on his first serve, his only struggles coming in the second set.
He had two match points on Argentine Pella's serve at 5-2 in the deciding set before closing out the opening-round encounter on his own serve.
Thompson was due to meet compatriot John Millman in the next round, however, the eighth seed, who had an opening-round bye at the US Open tune-up event, has withdrawn with a foot problem.
Millman's absence from the main draw in North Carolina opened the door for 205th-ranked Purcell to take his spot as a lucky loser.
Sydneysider Alexei Popyrin will face American Steve Johnson in his opening round after coming through qualifying.
