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| September 15, 2005 | Thursday | Sha’aban 10, 1426 |
Winning Asian debut for Nadal
BEIJING, Sept 14: Rafael Nadal stormed to a winning debut in Asia on Wednesday with a 6-2, 6-4 defeat of Yeu-Tzuoo Wang at the US$500,000 China Open. Teenaged Roland Garros champion Nadal found his comfort zone as he donned his three-quarter length white pants for his win over the world number 100 from Taipei.
The Spaniard overcame a mid-match letdown to finally advance into a second-round clash Thursday with American Justin Gimelstob in one hour, 28 minutes.
Nadal committed only four unforced errors, striking 17 winners.
Argentine third seed David Nalbandian rolled past Israeli qualifier Amir Hadad 6-4, 6-0, setting up a quarterfinal Friday with former world number one Juan Carlos Ferrero.
Nalbandian improved to 31-13 in 2005 after reaching the US Open quarters where he lost to Roger Federer.
Hadad was unable to notch a third ATP win on the season after defeating Belgian Dick Norman in the first round.
Ferrero, the tournament number six from Spain. recovered against California-based Russian Dmitry Tursunov 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) after missing on a pair of set points at the tenth game of the second set.
A third Spaniard and former Roland Garros winner Carlos Moya staged a comeback to oust Stefan Koubek of Austria 3-6, 6-3, 6-2. Moya improved to 29-17 this season as he looks for a second title in 2005.
He will play Friday against Thomas Johansson, who beat 2004 Finnish quarterfinalist Jarkko Nieminen 6-4, 6-4.
Results:
Men’s singles (first round): Rafael Nadal bt Wang Yeu-tzuo 6-2, 6-4
Second round: Juan Carlos Ferrero bt Dmitry Tursunov 6-4, 7-6 (7/4); David Nalbandian bt Amir Hadad 6-4, 6-0; Thomas Johansson bt Jarkko Nieminen 6-4, 6-4; Carlos Moya bt Stefan Koubek 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.
DAVENPORT WINS
BALI: World number two and top seed Lindsay Davenport lacked focus at times but came through 6-3 6-2 against Japan’s Rika Fujiwara to reach the third round of the Bali International tournament on Wednesday.
The American took advantage of early breaks in each set to overcome an inexperienced but plucky opponent who rallied well and struck some fine volleys.
Davenport broke to lead 2-0 in the first set, but then had to fight off three break points at 3-1 and then another as she served for the set.
Davenport then broke for 1-0 in the second set and comfortably maintained her lead.
Results:
Second round singles: Martina Muller bt Flavia Pennetta 6-3, 6-1; Francesca Schiavone bt Laura Pous Tio 6-3, 6-2; Lindsay Davenport bt Rika Fujiwara 6-3, 6-2; Na Li bt Zi Yan 6-3, 6-4.—Agencies
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