• ATP Tour

Baghdatis makes convincing start in Marseille

ESPN staff
February 15, 2010
Marcos Baghdatis found life easy against Daniel Brands © Getty Images
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Marcos Baghdatis looked to be at ease with his game as he progressed to the second round of the Marseille Open against Daniel Brands.

Seventh seed Baghdatis was almost flawless behind his own serve, allowing just one break point opportunity to his German opponent in Monday's 6-3 6-2 victory. Baghdatis seemed to take a little off his first serve in order to control the contest, requiring just 18 second serves in the entire match.

Victory was secured inside 69 minutes, taking Baghdatis through to a potential meeting with Michael Llodra in round two.

Earlier, Florent Serra of France proved too much for Russian Igor Kunitsyn, winning 6-3 6-3. Kunitsyn's first serve percentage was good, but Serra was clinical on break points, taking all three opportunities.

At the Morgan Keegan Championships in Memphis, Taylor Dent became a big-name casualty in the first round, losing 1-6 6-3 6-4 to German Philipp Petzschner. Dent was surprisingly outgunned 10-8 in the ace department by Petzschner, whose more fluid movement around the court proved to be the difference.

There was also a worry for third seed Radek Stepanek, who survived a second-set wobble to see off the spirited challenge of Kevin Anderson. South African qualifier Anderson rattled down 15 aces and created the greater number of break opportunities, but Stepanek's class eventually told as he battled to a 7-5 4-6 6-4 victory.

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