Auckland, New Zealand (Sports Network) - Thomaz Bellucci of Brazil and Belgian
wild card Olivier Rochus were among the winners Monday at the Heineken Open.
The eighth-seeded Bellucci posted a 7-6 (7-5), 6-2 win over Belgian David
Goffin, while Rochus -- last year's Auckland runner-up to David Ferrer --
notched a 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 triumph over Spaniard Albert Ramos.
Ferrer is this year's top seed in Auckland, a final tune-up for the year's
first Grand Slam -- the Australian Open. The Spaniard has a bye into the
second round.
The first day of play also produced a pair of minor upsets, as Belgian veteran
Xavier Malisse and American Brian Baker knocked off seeded players. Malisse
eliminated seventh-seeded Martin Klizan of Slovakia, 7-6 (7-4), 3-6, 6-3,
while Baker took out fifth-seeded Jerzy Janowicz of Poland, 4-6, 7-6 (7-5),
6-4.
Eight more first-round matches are on tap for Tuesday.
The Sports Network