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Ram, Robert advance in Johannesburg

Tue, 02/02/2010 - 09:44 by shalini.bahadur

Johannesburg, South Africa -- Fifth-seeded Rajeev Ram of the United States and No. 8 Stephane Robert of France were among first-round winners Monday in the SA Tennis Open in Johannesburg.

Ram came back after dropping the opening set and defeated Rik De Voest, a wild-card entrant from South Africa, 6-7 (3-7), 6-3, 6-3.

Robert did the same in beating American Brendan Evans 3-6, 6-2, 6-2.

In two other matches, also comebacks, Laurent Recouderc of France eliminated Belgian Steve Darcis 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 and Blaz Kavcic of Slovenia topped Frenchman Thierry Ascione 1-6, 7-5, 6-3.

The top seed in the event is Gael Monfils of France.

Frenchman Joe-Wilfried Tsonga, the defending champion, is not entered in the tournament this year.

Copyright 2010 United Press International, Inc. (UPI).

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