Youzhny through in Moscow

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

The Russian third seed had the support of the Moscow crowd as he posted a 6-1 7-6 (7/5) victory against the world number 54.

Fifth seed Pablo Cuevas was also a convincing first-round winner, the Uruguayan beating Yen-Hsun Lu 6-4 6-2.

Italy’s Potito Starace overcame local favourite Evgeny Donskoy 6-3 6-3, while Teimuraz Gabashvili fought back from a set down to end Karol Beck’s challenge 3-6 6-4 6-4.

In the women’s event, fifth seed Nadia Petrova ensured there was further Russian success with a 6-2 6-0 victory over compatriot Yana Buchina.

Slovakian Dominika Cibulkova, the seventh seed, was less fortunate however, slipping to a 6-2 6-2 loss at the hands of Spain’s Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez.

Alona Bondarenko, Lucie Safarova and Olga Govortsova also came through their first-round matches.

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By Tim Farthing

About the Author / Tim Farthing

Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.