Mason, OH – Bernard Tomic and James Blake were both first- round winners as the $2.825 million Western & Southern Open commenced Sunday in suburban Cincinnati.
Australia's Tomic saved 4-of-5 break chances by American Ryan Harrison to earn a hard-fought 6-4, 7-6 (7-5) decision on the hardcourts at the Lindner Family Tennis Center.
Sunday's other match saw American wild card Blake fire eight aces to overcome three double faults as he downed South Africa's Kevin Anderson in straight sets, 7-5, 6-4.
Olympic gold medalist and two-time Cincinnati champion Andy Murray beat three- time runner-up Novak Djokovic in last year's marquee finale here.
This seventh of nine ATP Masters events will pay its 2012 champion $535,600.
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