Date:27/04/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/04/27/stories/2006042704222100.htm

Sport - Tennis

Ferrer struggles past Murray

BARCELONA: Fifth-seeded David Ferrer withstood a strong challenge from British teenager Andy Murray 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-1 to reach the third round of the Open Seat Godo here on Tuesday.

Also cruising into the third round was another Spaniard Nicolas Almagro, who beat 13th-seeded Gael Monfils of France 6-2, 6-4.

Martin beats Vidal

Spain's Alberto Martin defeated local wildcard Bartolome Salva-Vidal 6-4, 6-2 and will clash with 2001 champion Juan Carlos Ferrero next.

Argentina's Agustin Calleri, Croatia's Ivo Karlovic and Italians Filippo Volandri and Potito Starace also won, with Starace filling the second-round berth against sixth-seeded Tommy Robredo, the 2004 champion.

The results: At Barcelona (Barcelona Open): Second round: Ivo Karlovic bt Nikolay Davydenko 6-7(7), 7-5, 6-4; Tommy Robredo bt Potito Starace 6-4, 6-0; Jarkko Nieminen bt Phillip Kohlschreiber 6-1, 6-2; Albert Costa bt Dominik Hrbaty 6-3, 7-5; Albert Portas bt Tomas Berdych 7-6(6), 6-3; Juan-Carlos Ferrero bt Alberto Martin 6-4, 7-6(1); Nicolas Almagro bt Gael Monfils 6-2, 6-4; Stanislas Wawrinka bt Teimuraz Gabashvili 6-4, 6-7(4), 6-4; David Ferrer bt Andy Murray 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-1; Guillermo Coria bt Galo Blanco 6-7(4), 6-0, 6-2.

Singles (first round): Potito Starace bt Lukas Dlouhy 6-4, 6-2; Filippo Volandri bt Andrea Stoppini 6-3, 6-1; Tomas Berdych bt Albert Montanes 4-6, 7-5, 7-5; Agustin Calleri bt Justin Gimelstob 6-2, 6-1; Fernando Verdasco bt Robin Vik 6-3, 6-4; Ivo Karlovic bt Max Mirnyi 6-3, 6-4; Fernando Vicente bt Alex Calatrava 7-6(4), 6-4.

At Casablanca: Singles (first round): Gilles Simon bt Jan Hernych 6-1, 4-6, 6-4; Florian Mayer bt Lamine Ouahab 6-1, 7-6(5); Luis Horna bt Tomislav Peric 7-5, 6-2; Daniele Bracciali bt Olivier Patience 6-3, 6-4; Christophe Rochus bt Tomas Behrend 6-3, 6-4; Nicolas Massu bt Michael Berrer 7-6(4), 6-0. — Agencies