Nikolay Davydenko, David Nalbandian through to the second round – BNP Paribas Open 2012
Nikolay Davydenko beats Sergei Bubka 7-5, 6-3
Former world number three Nikolay Davydenko toppled Sergei Bubka of Ukraine in straight sets 7-5, 6-3 in the first round at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, USA on Friday.
Davydenko and Bubka broke each other twice in the first 10 games of the opener, taking the score to 5-5. The Russian made the decisive breakthrough in the 11th and served out the set at 6-5.
The 30-year-old veteran faced some problems with his second serves, as he conceded two double faults and won just five of the eight points on them. Bubka fired five aces but he was unable to save three of the five break threats
he faced in the opener.
The second set was a pretty one-sided affair. Davydenko snatched a double break and capitalised on them to seal it 6-3.
Davydenko delivered 78 percent of the first serves and converted both break points he received in the second set.
It took the Russian an hour and 33 minutes to ease past his opponent.
Davydenko is pitted against 14th seed, Gael Monfils of France, in the next match. The Frenchman received a bye in the first round.
David Nalbandian defeats Potito Starace 7-6(4), 6-0
Another former world number three David Nalbandian made his way to the second round, as he prevailed over Italian Potito Starace in straight sets 7-6(4), 6-0 in the opening round. The Argentinean beat Starace in just an hour and
25 minutes.
Nalbandian and Starace exchanged a break of serve in the first set, equalising the score at 6-6 and forcing a tie-breaker. The Argentinean, Nalbandian, took a lead with the help of some powerful cross court winners and closed it
7-6(4).
The Cordoba, Argentina, resident delivered two aces and the same number of double faults. He targeted his opponent’s second serves, winning 11 of the 18 points on them. Although, Nalbandian could have grabbed an easier serve break
if he had availed more than one of the nine break chances he created in the opener.
With the winning momentum on his side, Nalbandian completely crushed the Italian in the second set. The Argentinean made sure that Starace does not win even a single game, breaking him three times to bag the set 6-0.
The right-hander was almost flawless on the returns, capturing six of the eight first and six of the seven second ones.
Nalbandian is slated to play 24th seed, Marin Cilic of Croatia, in the round of 64.
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