Bernard Tomic lost just his third match of the year - to world No.58 Ivan Dodig - in Memphis after squandering two match points to exit the ATP 500 event after a near-three hour battle
Ivan Dodig saved two match points to deny Bernard Tomic a debut win at the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships on Monday.
The 27-year-old Croat entered the match with a 3-6 record for the season but inflicted just a third loss of 2012 on the Australian teen, who had previously lost only to world No.4 Andy Murray and No.3 Roger Federer following his semi-final run at the Brisbane International and career-best fourth round finish at the Australian Open.
Dodig sent down 19 aces and won 75 per cent of his service points to beat Tomic in just under three hours, despite trailing 7-8 in the third set tiebreak.
"I was really happy after the match because I've been losing tight, tight matches,'' said the world No.58, who had picked up his first ATP title in Zagreb last year. "This is going to give me more confidence.''
Of 19-year-old Tomic, Dodig added: "Last year, he showed that he can play good tennis against great players and will soon be one of the top players in the world.
"This match, it was just a matter of a little bit of luck. I was a little more lucky in the tiebreaker.''
American Donald Young, 22, also came through a tight battle, beating Grigor Dimitrov 7-6(4) 7-6 7-6(6) despite finding the lines with just one ace and throwing in seven double faults.
Young could face compatriot John Isner next, who plays Gilles Muller of Luxembourg for a spot in round two.