Sydney's Chris O'Connell has earned himself an inviting shy at Taylor Fritz in the Madrid Open, hoping to conjure up a sensation in the 'Magic Box' with the American world no.4 a potentially vulnerable target after his 2025 injury woes.
The indefatigable O'Connell, one of the busiest Australians on tour in his 10th tournament of the year, earned a handy win in the first round of the ATP 1000 event at the Spanish capital's famous Caja Magica venue on Wednesday, beating Argentinian world No.59 Camilo Ugo Carabelli 6-3 6-4.
The 30-year-old O'Connell, ranked 87, converted all three of the break points he earned and saved seven of the eight he faced to join compatriots Alex de Minaur and Alexei Popyrin, who both had byes, in the second round.
