Djokovic got past Victor Hanescu 6-3, 7-5 despite having his serve broke three times. But his defense was sharp and he won 52 percent of the points on Hanescu's
serve.
Eighth-seeded Marin Cilic also advanced out of the first round Monday, stopping
Igor Andreev 6-4, 6-4. Cilic was in total control in the first set -- losing just five points on serve -- and staggered only slightly in the second before finishing off the win.
Tommy Robredo posted the day's most lop-sided score, winning 6-2, 6-1 over Benjamin Beck while Juan Carlos Ferrero took a tight 7-5, 7-6 (7-3) decision from
Nicolas Almagro.
Philipp Kohlschreiber defeated Ivo Karlovic 7-6 (8-6), 4-6, 6-1, despite
Karlovic's 27 aces; and Julien Benneteau earned a second-round match against Cilic with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Marcos Daniel.
Four of the world's Top 10 players, including No. 2-rated Rafael Nadal and defending champion Andy Roddick, have matches scheduled Tuesday in Beijing.
The tournament title is worth $500,000.
Copyright 2009 by United Press International.
Post new comment