Roddick and Monfis ease through openers
Roddick secured his first win of the year with ease.
Monday, 05, Jan 2009 09:26
Andy Roddick and Gael Monfils are through to second round of the Qatar Open in Doha after comfortable victories in straight sets.
Fourth seed Roddick defeated Ivan Navarro of Spain 6-1 6-3 for his first victory of 2009.
The American lost to Nikolay Davydenko at last week's World Championship exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi, but was on fine form in India, easing to victory with a double break in each set.
Frenchman Monfils, the fifth seed, also cruised into the second round, defeating Jan Harnych of the Czech Republic 6-2 6-2.
British number one Andy Murray, the defending champion, faces Spain's Albert Montanes in the opening round, while top seeds Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer are also yet to play.
Should the draw proceed according to ranking, Murray could meet Federer in the semi-finals.
However, the 21-year-old Scot is on fine form after defeating both Federer and Nadal on his way to victory in Abu Dhabi last week.
Murray defeated Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka 6-4 4-6 6-2 to win the Quatar Open final last year.
In the women's tennis equivalent warm-up event for the opening Grand Slam event of the year - the Australian Open - later this month, top seed Ana Ivanovic today won her opening game at the Brisbane International event.
But fourth seed Daniela Hantuchova, eighth seed Francesca Schiavone and ninth seed Ali Sugiyama are faltered at the first hurder, losing to Sara Errani, Olga Govortsova and Samantha Stosur respectively.