Newport, RI, USA, 13 July 2016 | AAP/AP

Sam Groth has advanced to the second round of the Hall of Fame Tennis Championships as he attempts to restore his singles ranking.

The big-serving Australian dispatched Poland’s Michal Przysienzny 7-6(2) 6-4 in the first round at the post-Wimbledon grasscourt event at Newport, Rhode Island.

Beaten in straight sets by Kei Nishikori in his first round match at Wimbledon, Groth has fallen to No.134 in the rankings after starting the year at No.60 and needs to climb quickly to ensure direct entry to some of the biggest US hardcourt events including the US Open.

In other matches involving Australians, John-Patrick Smith ousted younger countryman Jordan Thompson 6-4 6-4 and French sixth seed Adrian Mannarino rallied past James Duckworth 6-7(3) 7-6(5) 7-6(4).