It took a little prodding from a short interview, but Zach Svajda finally admitted what his win 6-4, 6-4 second-round win over third-seeded Francisco Cerundolo meant.

The 21-year-old from San Diego said it was the biggest win of his career, and he had the smile to prove it.

Svajda picked up a little revenge after losing to Cerundolo last year at the U.S. Open.

Even though it’s his first time playing in the Winston-Salem Open, Svajda did what he needed to get the win. His outstanding return on a long valley ended the first set, then he took care of business in the second set securing a late break at 4-4.

“It feels great,” Svajda said. “I played him last year at the U.S. Open, and I lost in four sets, and it was a tough battle there. Out here I knew what to expect and I thought I played very well today.”

Svajda is currently ranked No. 107, a career high. His win over the 29^th-ranked Cerundolo gives him a load of confidence moving forward as he tries to catch fire late in the summer.

“I just tried to be a little more solid on the returns,” Svajda said. “I thought I returned very well today, and I kept going after my serve a lot.”

With the early match at 2 p.m. on Stadium Court the players caught a break with mild humidity and temperatures in the mid-70’s.

“It was definitely not as hot today, so it felt good,” Svajda said. It felt even better after winning as he rumbles into the third round.

“I just take it day by day and who I’m going to play in the next match,” Svajda said.

Svajda lists John Isner as one of his idols. Isner, who is retired from pro tennis, is a Greensboro native who won the first two Winston-Salem Open titles.

“My time will come if I keep doing the right things,” Svajda said about his desire to improve. “I can beat anybody out here on a good day and that’s the mentality you have to have out here.”

Svajda said he doesn’t wear his emotions on his sleeve, even after the biggest win of his career.

“It is,” Svajda said when pressed about being the biggest win of his five-year pro career. “I’m definitely happy and I don’t show too much emotion on the court but deep down it feels really good.”

In other early matches on Tuesday, it was Thiago Seyboth Wild upsetting eighth-seeded Nuno Borges 7-6 (2), 6-2 in a second-round match.

Arthur Rinderknech, the 12^th-seed, took care of Chris O’Connell in straight sets 6-3, 6-4 in another second-round match.

David Goffin put together a solid showing needing just an hour and 17 minutes to send home fifth-seeded Luciano Darderi in a straightforward 6-2, 6-4 scoreline.

In doubles it was Julian Cash and Robert Galloway upsetting eighth-seeded Sadio Doumbia and Lloyd Glasspool 6-3, 6-4.

The entire field plays on a wild Wednesday. Gates open at 1p.m.