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Fernando Gonzalez defeats Dudi Sela, Michael Llodra out

Fernando Gonzalez of Chile competes in the first round of the Tennis Channel Open tennis tournament in Las Vegas on Tuesday. PHOTO: AP

Fernando Gonzalez, who was sidelined for a month with an abdominal injury, defeated Israel's Dudi Sela 6-2, 7-6 (7/2) in the opening round of the ATP Las Vegas event on Tuesday.

The 27-year-old Chilean is seeking his ninth career title and second win of the season.

Gonzalez has been sidelined with an abdominal injury since winning in Vina del Mar last month.

The world No. 13, Gonzalez had lost to Sela in their only previous meeting last September in Davis Cup action.

Gonzalez made four aces and capitalized on six double faults as he advanced to the second round of the hardcourt tournament for a matchup with Russian Evgeny Korolev, who defeated Sergio Roitman of Argentina 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 on Monday.

No. 6 Michael Llodra was the only seeded player not to survive the first round.

The Frenchman suffered a 6-2, 7-6 (7/2) loss on Tuesday to qualifier Kevin Anderson of South Africa.

Anderson, who will meet wildcard John Isner in the second round, fired 10 aces en route to victory.

The 27-year-old Llodra was enjoying a successful start to his campaign, winning two titles and posting a 14-3 record before the setback.

In other seeded action on Tuesday, No. 5 Peter Starace of Italy had three aces without a double fault en route to a 7-6 (7/5), 6-0 triumph over Argentine Carlos Berlocq.

Starace next will face qualifer Amer Delic, who ousted Austrian Jurgen Melzer with a 7-5, 7-6 (7-2) victory on Tuesday.

No. 3 Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus defeated American Vincent Spadea, 7-6 (7/5), 6-1 in the final match of the day in their first meeting since 2006.

Baghdatis, who will next face Robby Ginepri, improved to 2-1 over Spadea in his career.
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