Print

Mail

wiki links

Horna starts Movistar title defense

Luis Horna began his title defense in the Movistar Open on Tuesday with a 6-4, 6-4 first-round victory over fifth-seeded Agustin Calleri.

Top-seeded Fernando Gonzalez also advanced to the second round with a 7-5, 6-3 victory over fellow Chilean Paul Capdeville.

Fabio Fognini of Italy, ranked 104th, beat second-seeded Juan Ignacio Chela 7-6 (0), 6-2. It was the fourth straight time Chela lost his opener at Vina del Mar since 2001.

The loss of Calleri and Chela added to those in the opening day of Mariano Zabaleta, Gaston Gaudio and Guillermo Coria.

Chela's loss was the fourth straight time he was eliminated in his opener at Vina del Mar.

Two qualifiers won their first-round matches. Daniel Gimeno-Traver of Spain outlasted Eduardo Schwank of Argentina 6-4, 1-6, 6-1, and Marcel Granollers-Pujol of Spain beat Boris Pashanski of Serbia 7-6 (4), 6-2.

Argentines still in competition include two winners from Monday -- Juan Monaco, who beat Ecuador's Nicolas Lappenti, and Sergio Roitman, who defeated local hero Nicolas Massu.

On Tuesday, two other Argentines advanced to the second round. Martin Vasallo-Arguello defeated Olivier Patience of France, 6-4, 6-1 and Carlos Berlocq eliminated Nicolas Devilder of France 7-5, 6-2.

Two of four Chileans lost in the debut, disappointing organizers who have seen crowds smaller than expected.

David Marrero of Spain eliminated Chile's Adrian Garcia Chile, 6-7 (2), 7-6 (3) 6-4, and another Spaniard, Fernando Verdasco, disposed of Hans Podlipnik of Chile, 6-4, 6-3.
This story has been viewed 977 times.