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Australia's Nick Kyrgios and Jordan Thompson have made it through to the last 16 of the ATP 250 tournament in Houston but compatriot Max Purcell was beaten.
Nick Kyrgios has got his US clay season underway in fine fashion, recording a three-set win at the ATP Tour event in Houston.
The Aussie wildcard came from behind to defeat Mackenzie McDonald 4-6 6-4 6-4 in one hour 51 minutes.
Kyrgios, ranked 94th in the world, broke early in the final set and held off the American's challenge to set up a last-16 matchup with another local in Tommy Paul. The seventh seed was up 6-7 (7-4) 7-6 (7-5) 3-2 over Peter Gojowczyk when the German was forced to retire.
"I did slip and slide a little bit, but my game actually suits the clay quite well," Kyrgios said after his comeback win.
"It's a great atmosphere out here and the crowd's pretty involved, so I'm looking forward to continuing to progress through the event."
After three impressive wins last week in Miami before he was beaten by Jannik Sinner in the round of 16, Kyrgios was confident going into the clash with world No.52 McDonald.
McDonald beat Kyrgios in straight sets last year on the Washington hardcourts in their only previous meeting and broke in the fifth game en route to taking the opening set.
The 26-year-old from Canberra responded by breaking in the fourth game of the second set and opening game of the third - the only other breaks of serve in the contest.
Kyrgios fired down 18 aces for the match and won it with a delicate forehand slice drop shot.
"He's (McDonald) an amazing player ... You know he's a tricky one because he doesn't make too many errors," Kyrgios added.
"... But you know I just served really well. I just started playing more aggressive (after the first set) and reached another gear."
Australia's Jordan Thompson is also into the next round after the world No.83 recorded a straight-sets victory over lucky loser Steven Diez of Canada.
The 94-minute 6-3 6-2 win for the 27-year-old Sydneysider sets up a clash with world No.29 Cristian Garin of Chile, who defeated American Jack Sock 4-6 6-3 7-5.
Another Aussie in Max Purcell was eliminated in straight sets though, going down 7-6 (9-7) 6-3 to Uruguay's Pablo Cuevas late on Tuesday night.
