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American teen makes history on Texan clay

April 15, 2008 16:49 IST

Fifteen-year-old American Ryan Harrison became the third youngest player, since 1990, to notch an ATP match win when he defeated Uruguayan Pablo Cuevas 6-4, 6-3 on Monday at the US Men's Clay Court Championship in Houston, Texas.

After breaking Cuevas' serve thrice in the opening set, Harrison converted on his one opportunity in the second set to go up 3-1 and closed out his impressive ATP debut in 57 minutes.

Harrison, at 15 years, 11 months and 7 days, is the 10th player in the Open Era to win a match before his 16th birthday.

He stands just behind current Top 10 stars Richard Gasquet and Rafael Nadal on the list of youngest match winners in the past decade. The two also won a match each at 15 years of age.

Ranked 1,277 in the world, Harrison could face top-seeded James Blake in the next round.

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