Maiden win against Tomic just the tonic for Smith

TOWNSVILLE tennis pro John- Patrick Smith recorded his maiden ATP victory yesterday, upsetting fellow Australian, third- seeded Bernard Tomic, 6- 3 7- 5 in the first round of the Hall of Fame Championships in Newport.

Smith, ranked 156th, needed only 70 minutes to dispatch Tomic, taking 15 of 23 points off Tomic’s second serve and surrendering only one service break to the world No. 25.

“It was a very tough match today,” said Smith, who earned entry to the Wimbledon singles main draw for the first time last month. “It’s a great win. “I’ve known him ( Tomic) since I was a kid, we get along great. It’s always tough playing a friend out there.”

Smith had been 0- 5 in ATP matches after first- round losses this year to South African Kevin Anderson at Delray Beach and Frenchman Kenny De Schepper in five sets at Wimbledon.

Next up for Smith in the US event will be 166th- ranked American Jared Donaldson, who beat compatriot Austin Krajicek 6- 7 ( 5/ 7) 6- 3 6- 2.

Tomic’s defeat spelt more gloom for the tournament wildcard. He only competed at the tournament after being kicked out of Australia’s Davis Cup squad over his “unacceptable” criticism of Tennis Australia officials, including Pat Rafter and chief executive Craig Tiley, following his third- round Wimbledon exit.

“It was tough to find a rhythm and he was playing good,” Tomic said. “Full credit to him ( Smith).” Croatian second seed Ivo Karlovic blasted 11 aces and never faced a break point in defeating Ukraine’s Illya Marchenko 7- 6 ( 7/ 4) 6- 7 ( 6/ 8) 6- 4.