Nalbandian advances at Stockholm Open

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:04

Nalbandian is a strong favourite here as the only top-30 player in the field.

However, the world number seven has endured his share of upsets this season with nine of his 13 losses coming against players ranked outside the top 25.

Among those setbacks were an opening-round defeat to 139th-ranked Frank Dancevic at Wimbledon and a second-round loss in Miami at the hands of then-number 311 Xavier Malisse.

The 26-year-old was in form against the 82nd-ranked Reynolds, however, converting 19-of-21 first-serve points en route to dismissing the American in just 56 minutes.

Nalbandian will try to stay on course for his ninth career title when he faces either Swedish wild card Joachim Johansson or Nicolas Mahut of France in the second round.

Second-seeded Mario Ancic of Croatia also won in straight sets, claiming a 7-6 (8/6) 6-2 victory over Belgium’s Olivier Rochus.

Another Belgian is up next for Ancic, as Steve Darcis rallied for a 2-6 6-3 6-3 win over Christophe Rochus – the older brother of Olivier.

The perfect day for seeded players was capped with victories by Jose Acasuso of Argentina and Rainer Schuettler of Germany.

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