Spanish pair progress at China Open

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:02

The sixth-seeded Robredo needed nearly two hours to outlast Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 6-4 7-5 and remain perfect in two career meetings against his compatriot and will now face the winner of the first-round match between Ivo Minar of the Czech Republic and Korea’s Hyung-Taik Lee.

Ferrero had an easier time in his first-round match, posting a 6-4 6-3 victory over Russian Alexandre Kudryavtsev in 69 minutes.

Former world number one Ferrero fired five aces and capitalised on all three break-point opportunities against Kudryavtsev.

The 28-year-old Ferrero is seeking his 12th career title and first since 2003 at Madrid.

In the women’s event, eighth-seeded Russian Anna Chakvetadze claimed a 6-4 7-5 victory over lucky loser Iveta Benesova in the first round.

After advancing to the final at New Haven in August, world number 21 Chakvetadze has been ousted in the opening round during each of her last two tournaments.

Following a disappointing loss to then-number 56 ranked compatriot Ekaterina Makarova at the US Open, the 21-year-old dropped a three-set decision to qualifier Kaia Kanepi at last week’s Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo.

Chakvetadze appeared to put those losses behind her, though, winning six of 12 break points as she remained perfect in four career matches against Benesova.

Chakvetadze will next face Slovakia’s Dominika Cibulkova, who won the only previous meeting between the two at the claycourt event at Amelia Island in April.

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