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Fifth seed Anderson edges into Querrey clash

Kevin Anderson looked uncomfortable on clay © PA Photos

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The No. 5 seed Kevin Anderson defeated Joao Souza in straight sets on Wednesday, setting up a big-serving US Men's Clay Court Championships meeting with Sam Querrey in round two.

Anderson, a wild card in Houston, met Brazilian Souza for the first time in his career, in what is his first clay-court tournament of the calendar. The South African took time to adjust, losing his opening service game, but eventually triumphed 6-3 6-4.

In an action-packed start to the contest both men broke on two occasions as the scores advanced to 3-2. Anderson's class then began to show as he eased through the rest of the games on his delivery, whilst penetrating Souza once more to claim the set.

Souza continued to fight, battling back from an early break to level at 2-2 in the second, and he actually hit more aces than his rival in the second half of the contest. However, Anderson once again found the decisive break, setting up that tie with Querrey in the next round.

The 2007 champion Ivo Karlovic is out after he was stunned by American Bobby Reynolds. Karlovic, the No. 8 seed, hit 19 aces but lost 7-6(5) 2-6 6-3.

Reynolds will be joined by compatriot Ryan Harrison in the second round after the teenager beat Alex Bogomolov Jnr 4-6 6-3 6-4. Harrison's first ATP Tour victory came in Houston as a 15-year-old, and it proved a happy hunting ground again as he stunned the No. 7 seed.

In second round action on Wednesday, third seed Feliciano Lopez edged out Italy's Paolo Lorenzi 6-4 7-6(4). Lopez needed just under two hours to progress, with the 13 aces fired down by the Spaniard ultimately proving the difference.

Carlos Berlocq was another to move past round two. The Argentinian thrashed Bjorn Phau of Germany 6-1 6-0.

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