Bernard Tomic’s tennis resurgence has continued, snapping a five-year drought at the ATP 250 event in Los Cabos, Mexico.
Tomic needed just 47 minutes to completely dismantle local qualifier and world No.498 Alex Hernández 6-1, 6-0.
Bernard Tomic in action against Alex Hernandez. Getty Images
It’s Tomic’s first hard court win on the ATP Tour since the 2021 Australian Open.
Tomic broke in the second and fourth games of the opening set to race to a 5-0 lead. Hernández finally managed to hold in the sixth, before Tomic calmly served out the set. The second set was a completely one-sided affair.
The former world No.17 converted five of seven break-point chances and never faced one of his own. He also belted 15 winners and 13 aces.
The win comes two weeks after he clinched a challenger title in Lincoln, USA – Tomic’s biggest title since 2018.
Speaking after that victory, Tomic revealed he’d only weeks earlier contemplated quitting.
“About 10 days ago, or even two weeks ago, I had a moment of doubt. I had said this year would be my last, so I guess I’ll have to rethink my plans,” he said.
“The start of the season wasn’t easy. I was away from the courts for a few months, I was lucky enough to welcome a beautiful daughter, and I was between 160 and 170 in the world rankings. So I needed these last few months to gain points.
“Just two weeks ago, I was thinking: ‘Damn, I think this will be my last year.’ And then everything tarted again, so it’s time to begin a new cycle. So yes… I’ll probably play another 20 years!”
Tomic faces a tougher time of it in the second round, scheduled to play world No.26 Karen Khachanov, who enjoyed a first-round bye.
Fellow Aussies Rinky Hijikata, Adam Walton and James Duckworth are also in action in Mexico.