Russian players fare well in St. Petersburg
22/10/2008 17:28
Second-seeded Russian Nikolay Davydenko, defeated Chris Guccione of
Australia 6-4, 6-4 in the first round at the St. Petersburg Open
yesterday.
World No. 6 Davydenko, who recently qualified for Tennis Masters
Cup Shanghai in November, recorded his 50th win of the season, highlighted by
three ATP titles at Masters Series Miami, Poertschach and
Warsaw.
Third-seeded Spaniard Fernando Verdasco, who is battling to qualify
for the prestigious circuit finale to be held at the Qi Zhong Stadium in
Shanghai from November 9-16, came through his first test with a 1-6, 6-4, 6-3
win over Russian qualifier Teimuraz Gabashvili in one hour and 46
minutes.
Former champion and fourth-seeded Russian Mikhail Youzhny began his
tournament campaign with a bang after defeating Ivan Navarro of Spain 6-2, 6-1.
Youzhny won 22 of 24 first service points and saved all three break points he
faced in the 56-minute victory. The World No. 24, who captured his fourth career
ATP title at Chennai in January, improved to 28-20 on the season.
Kazakhstan
qualifier Mikhail Kukushkin record his first win at an ATP tournament since
April 2008 in Barcelona after beating No. 5 seed Marin Cilic of Croatia 7-6
(7-4), 4-6, 7-6 (8-6) in two hours and 59 minutes.
The 20-year-old Astana
resident, who improved to 4-3 on the season, struck 10 aces compared to 19 for
Cilic who captured his maiden ATP title at New Haven in August.
Frenchman
Jeremy Chardy, currently ranked 74th in the world, overcame No. 7 seed Mario
Ancic of Croatia with a 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 win in one hour and 55
minutes.
Xinhua
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