Lopez wins at last

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:52

The 28-year-old left-hander overcame his countryman 6-3 6-4 to end a run of six consecutive first-round losses at Tour-level events dating back to Wimbledon.

“I think I played great,” said Lopez.

“It’s been a tough year for me. I didn’t win so many matches, so I have to be happy to be in the second round here.

“I was very focused, playing very aggressive, and I kept playing in the same way for the whole match. That’s probably the key.”

Germany’s Andreas Beck also advanced when Argentina’s Jose Acasuso retired with a left knee injury. Beck was 7-6 (7/2) 1-0 up when Acasuso signalled he could not continue.

“I feel pain in my knee,” said the 26-year-old South American.

“It started at the US Open, and still I feel the pain in Kuala Lumpur and last week in Beijing – so I will go back to Argentina and check with my doctor.”

Elsewhere, Chinese wild card Shao Xaun Zeng battled from a set down to overcome Israel’s Dudi Sela 2-6 6-1 6-4 and Russian Igor Kunitsyn did likewise to oust compatriot Igor Andreev 6-7 (6/8) 6-4 6-2.

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