Americans Ginepri, Fish, Levine advance, but six seeds fall in New Haven

One week ago American Robby Ginepri (pictured) was not even on the direct acceptance list at the Pilot Pen Tennis in New Haven, but now he is among the final 16 players left in the draw. Ginepri has taken full advantage of the wild card he received, as he defeated No. 12 seed Agustin Calleri, 6-2, 4-6, 6-2, in second round action on Tuesday. The 25-year-old now leads Calleri in career meetings 3-1, despite losing a tight three set match to Calleri at New Haven last year. The win also snapped a streak in which Ginepri lost five straight matches to Argentines. The former Top 20 player now takes on Mischa Zverev, who upset No. 5 seed Juan Monaco 6-3, 6-3.

Boca Raton, Fla. resident Jesse Levine also has made the best of his opportunity to play in the event. Despite losing in qualifying, Jesse Levine earned entry into the main draw after Juan Martin Del Potro withdrew citing fatigue. Following a first round bye, the lucky loser easily defeated Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, 6-0, 6-3, setting up a third round encounter with Steve Darcis. Darcis, who upset No. 13 seed Marcel Granollers, 6-2, 6-2, lost to Levine in their only previous meeting, a three set match back in February.

No. 8 Mardy Fish, meanwhile, despite a runner-up finish earlier this year at the Masters Series Indian Wells, beat countryman Wayne Odesnik, 6-1, 4-6, 6-1 to advance to the third round. Fish’s opponent, ninth seeded Frenchman Marc Gicquel, is fresh off a 7-5, 6-3 win over Albert Montanes.

In night action on Stadium Court, No. 2 seed Ivo Karlovic toughed out a 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-4 victory over John Isner. The Croatian put on a stellar service performance in which he smashed 17 aces on the way to winning eighty-eight percent of his first serve points. Karlovic also converted on two of six break point chances, while Isner did not break Karlovic’s serve all match. Karlovic will now take on qualifier Luka Gregorc for a spot in the quarterfinals. Other winners on the day include No. 4 Igor Andreev, No. 6 Marin Cilic and No. 11 Jurgen Melzer.