ROTTERDAM (Netherlands), Feb 20: Second seed Nikolay Davydenko of Russia cruised to a 6-3, 6-3 first-round win over Czech qualifier Jan Hernych at the World Indoor Tournament on Tuesday.

Spaniard David Ferrer, seeded three, also advanced with a 6-4, 7-5 victory over Italy’s Simone Bolelli but eighth-seeded Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis was beaten 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 by Swede Robin Soderling.

Dutchman Raemon Sluiter, who said he would retire when his involvement in this tournament ended, bowed out as he lost 6-1, 7-6 to Michael Llodra of France.

Tuesday’s results (prefix number denotes seeding):

First round: 2-Nikolay Davydenko (Russia) bt Jan Hernych (Czech Republic) 6-3, 6-3; Michael Llodra (France) bt Raemon Sluiter (Netherlands) 6-1, 7-6 (8-6); 3-David Ferrer (Spain) bt Simone Bolelli (Italy) 6-4, 7-5; Robin Soederling (Sweden) bt 8-Marcos Baghdatis (Cyprus) 6-3, 3-6, 6-4; Gilles Simon (France) bt Feliciano Lopez (Spain) 6-3, 6-4; Nicolas Mahut (France) bt Tommy Robredo (Spain) 7-5, 6-4.

TOUGH ENCOUNTER

DOHA: Olga Govortsova of Belarus was handed a second-round clash against top seed Ana Ivanovic when Indian opponent Sania Mirza was forced to retire with a cramp in the third set of their match on Tuesday.

Govortsova, the world No 50, lost the opening set 6-4 and saved two match points in the second before taking it 7-5 in a tiebreak.

She went 3-2 up in the third when Sania called a halt to the match.

Marion Bartoli, seeded eight, suffered a 6-2, 6-3 defeat by 17-year-old Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark in the second round, continuing her run of indifferent results since she reached the 2007 Wimbledon final. Agnes Szavay of Hungary, seeded 13, was beaten 7-6, 6-0 by Japan’s Ai Sugiyama in the first round.

There were first-round victories for ninth seed Patty Schnyder of Switzerland, who beat Austrian teenager Tamira Paszek 6-4, 6-0, and 11th-seeded Russian Dinara Safina, who defeated Katarina Srebotnik of Slovenia 6-2, 6-4.

Tuesday’s results:

Second round: Vera Zvonareva (Russia) bt 17-Francesca Schiavone (Italy) 2-6, 6-3, 6-4; Caroline Wozniacki (Denmark) bt 8-Marion Bartoli (France) 6-2, 6-3.

Blake advances

SAN JOSE (California): Second seed James Blake waltzed into the second round of the San Jose Open with a 6-3, 6-1 win over Sam Warburg on Tuesday. Blake played a consistent, heady match, dominating the court with his forehand and impressive returns.

Tuesday’s results:

First round: Lu Yen-Hsun (Taiwan) bt Max Mirnyi (Belarus) 7-6 (7-4), 5-7, 6-2; 2-James Blake (US) bt Sam Warburg (US) 6-3, 6-1; Mardy Fish (US) bt Tim Smyczek (US) 6-3, 6-4; Denis Gremelmayr (Germany) bt 7-Sam Querrey (US) 5-7, 7-6 (7-1), 6-3; Robby Ginepri (US) bt Jesse Witten (US) 6-2, 5-7, 6-4; Benjamin Becker (Germany) bt Marcos Daniel (Brazil) 6-1, 3-0 – Daniel retired.—Reuters

Opinion

Editorial

China security ties
Updated 14 Nov, 2024

China security ties

If China's security concerns aren't addressed satisfactorily, it may affect bilateral ties. CT cooperation should be pursued instead of having foreign forces here.
Steep price
14 Nov, 2024

Steep price

THE Hindu Kush-Himalayan region is in big trouble. A new study unveiled at the ongoing COP29 reveals that if high...
A high-cost plan
14 Nov, 2024

A high-cost plan

THE government has approved an expensive plan for FBR in the hope of tackling its deep-seated inefficiencies. The...
United stance
Updated 13 Nov, 2024

United stance

It would've been better if the OIC-Arab League summit had announced practical measures to punish Israel.
Unscheduled visit
13 Nov, 2024

Unscheduled visit

Unusual IMF visit shows the lender will closely watch implementation of programme goals to prevent it from derailing.
Bara’s businesswomen
13 Nov, 2024

Bara’s businesswomen

Bara’s brave women have proven that with the right support, societal barriers can be overcome.