DUBAI, Feb 25: Russia’s Yevgeny Kafelnikov defeated John van Lottum of the Netherlands 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, in the first round of $ one million ATP Dubai Open tennis tournament on Tuesday.
Results: (1st round): Yevgeny Kafelnikov bt John van Lottum 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, Ivan Ljubicic bt Wayne Black 7-5, 6-3, Attila Savolt bt Tim Henman 5-7, 7-6 (7/3), 6-4, Sjeng Schalken bt Mikhail Youzhny 7-5, 6-0.
CLAVET UPSET BY MELLO
ACAPULCO (Mexico): Brazil’s Ricardo Mello produced the upset of the day when knocked fourth-seed and former champion Francisco Clavet out of the Mexican Open on Monday.
Mello, taking part as a lucky loser following the withdrawal of Argentina’s Guillermo Coria, took just over two hours to win 6-4 4-6 6-1 and will face either top seed Carlos Moya or fellow Brazilian Flavio Saretta in the second round.
The 22-year-old won the first set despite falling 4-1 behind. In the second, Mello appeared to be feeling the pressure as he broke serve early on but allowed Clavet to win the set 6-4.
Results:
Men’s (first round):
Ricardo Mello bt Francisco Clavet 6-4, 4-6, 6-1, Mariano Zabaleta bt Filippo Volandri 6-1, 6-2, David Ferrer bt Albert Portas 6-1, 6-4.