In this Feb 24, 2020 photo, USA's Frances Tiafoe returns the ball to Switzerland's Stan Wawrinka (out of frame) during their Mexico ATP Open 500 men's singles tennis match in Acapulco, Guerrero State, Mexico. (PEDRO PARDO / AFP)

American Frances Tiafoe advanced to the second round of the European Open in Antwerp, Belgium, dismissing sixth seed Dusan Lajovic of Serbia in straight sets.

Frances Tiafoe won 6-3, 7-6 (6) to wrap up the match in one hour and 21 minutes

Tiafoe won 6-3, 7-6 (6) to wrap up the match in one hour and 21 minutes. The No 63-ranked player in the world looked strong in his first hard-court event since reaching the US Open Round of 16.

Another American had a less successful day as Tommy Paul lost 6-3, 6-2 against Feliciano Lopez of Spain. Ugo Humbert of France, ranked No 38 in the world, also advanced, 6-4, 6-3 against Kimmer Coppejans of Belgium.

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Steve Johnson finally got the best of Marin Cilic in the duo’s sixth career head-to-head match during first-round play in Cologne, Germany.

Johnson held on for a 7-6 (3), 6-4 win over ninth-seeded Cilic to advance. The American, who entered the day ranked No 71 in the world, previously was 0-5 in matches against Cilic of Croatia.

Eighth-seeded Adrian Mannarino of France made quick work of Australian Alexei Popyrin with a 6-2, 6-2 victory. Others who moved on to the second round included Yoshihito Nishioka of Japan, who cruised to a 6-4, 6-0 win over Great Britain’s Kyle Edmund, and Gilles Simon of France, who earned a 6-3, 7-5 victory over Australia’s Jordan Thompson.