MIAMI, March 23: Young American Ernesto Escobedo pulled off a surprise victory in three sets over Britain�s Dan Evans in the first round of the Miami Open on Wednesday.
The 20-year-old Mexican-American, who grew up playing on rough public courts in Los Angeles, is playing in his first ATP Masters 1000 series event, having qualified with a straight-sets win over Argentine Renzo Olivo on Tuesday.
Escobedo, ranked 108th, beat the 43rd ranked Evans 7-5, 0-6, 6-3 at Crandon Park thanks mainly to his strong first serve, which included 10 aces.
�This day is very special for me. I qualified for my first Masters 1000 here in Miami and I played a tricky opponent who serves pretty well. It is pretty big to get my first win here,� Escobedo said.
�I started pretty slow but once I broke back I felt pretty comfortable and kept patient. In the second set, I just didn�t focus at all and my energy was very low but I am just happy to have stepped it up in the third set.�
Escobedo will now face 25th-seed Fernando Verdasco in the second round and he can expect plenty of support from a strongly Hispanic South Florida crowd. � AFP
