Davydenko races into round two

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 13:05

Davydenko cast aside last week’s SA Tennis Open champion 6-4 6-2 in 75 minutes.

Unseeded Lopez claimed his first ATP Tour title in more than five years in Johannesburg last week but was no match for the Russian, who was playing his first match since losing to eventual champion Roger Federer in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open last month.

Fourth seed Gael Monfils battled back to defeat Belgian Olivier Rochus 4-6 6-1 6-2.

Monfils has been feeling unwell but, after conceding the opening set, he reeled off 12 of the next 15 games on the back of 19 aces.

The Frenchman will next meet local hope Thiemo de Bakker.

World number eight Robin Soderling booked his place in the last eight with a 7-6 (8/6) 6-2 win over Dutch wildcard Igor Sijsling.

The 25-year-old is playing his first tournament since the Australian Open, where he struggled with elbow tendinitis as he made a first-round exit.

A right arm injury forced Viktor Troicki to retire from his match with Jurgen Melzer, with the Serbian trailing 6-3 3-0.

Michael Berrer also progressed after an epic first-set tie-break to beat Arnaud Clement 7-6 (18/16) 4-6 6-4.

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