Martin, Courier Win Openers at Seniors Newport

Cedric Pioline of France made a successful debut on the Outback Champions Series Wednesday, defeating Mikael Pernfors of Sweden 6-4,6-4 in the opening round robin match on the first day of play at the $142,000 Gibson Guitar Champions Cup at the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

Also registering wins on the Hall of Fame’s grass courts Wednesday were Todd Martin and Jim Courier of the United States. Martin, playing at the site of his first ATP tournament back in 1990, defeated 1996 Wimbledon champion Richard Krajicek of the Netherlands 6-3, 6-3, while Courier, a Hall of Famer, defeated another Outback Champions Series debutant Mal Washington of the United States 6-3, 7-5.

Pioline, a US Open finalist in 1993 and a Wimbledon finalist in 1997, was a late entry into the field, substituting for Wayne Ferreira, who was forced to withdraw from the event with a right wrist injury.

“I just arrived here yesterday from Europe, and I’m very happy to be here, it is a great place to play and I love playing on grass,” said Pioline.  “It is very nice to play with Mikael and the chance to play in front of these people here today.”

Pioline rolled to an early 5-1 lead in the first set and held on to close out the first set. Pernfors took a 4-2 lead in the second set before Pioline won the last four games of the match to close out the victory.

“Down 5-1, I was just trying to keep my first serve in and adjust my game to the slower surface,” said Pernfors, a finalist at the 1986 French Open. “The second set I started out better, stronger, but he came back.”

Thursday's matches are Pat Cash vs. Cedric Pioline, John McEnroe vs. Mikael Pernfors, and an all-Ponte Vedra Beach meeting in Todd Martin vs. Mal Washington.