Huey, partner reach second round

Treat Huey. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Filipino tennis star Treat Huey and Belarussian partner Max Mirnyi ground it out to overcome eight-time grand slam champion Leander Paes and Andre Se and advance to the second round of the Australian Open men’s doubles on Thursday.

Down one set and 0-3 in the second set tiebreak, Huey and Mirnyi played aggressively and leaned on strong service games to prevail, 4-6, 7-6 (3), 6-4, at Court No. 15 of Melbourne Park.

“It was a great first round win today. We tried to raise our game and come away with the win,” said Huey through Twitter direct message.

Making it more special for the 14th seeds is the fact that Paes is a big name in doubles, winning the Australian Open in 2012. The Indian used to be No. 1 in the world but has since slid to 64th.

“Paes has been one of the best players in the world so it was a remarkable win for us,” said Huey.

They will next face Australians Sam Grothe and Chris Guccione, who ousted compatriots Matt Reid and John Patrick Smith, 7-6 (2), 2-6, 7-6 (3).

It was a rough first set for Huey and Mirnyi, who witnessed Paes and his Brazilian partner nail 81 percent of their first serves in the frame, and break them once.

But Huey and Mirnyi doubled up in the second, and while failing to get a service break, managed to sneak in three aces in the tiebreak that turned the tide in their favor.