Halle (Germany), Jun 12: Sixth-seeded Marcel Granollers of Spain defeated Mischa Zverev of Germany 6-4, 6-2 on Tuesday to reach the second round of the Gerry Weber Open.
The 26-year-old Granollers overcame spirited resistance from the Russian-born Zverev, who is ranked No. 190.
Zverev held his serve and saved six break points before Granollers finally broke him in the ninth game to take a 5-4 lead to take the first set. The 22nd-ranked Spaniard broke the German twice in the second to wrap up the match.
Granollers will next play German veteran Tommy Haas, who advanced after Bernard Tomic of Australia retired after 22 minutes while trailing 5-2. Haas said Tomic had told him he'd been ill.
Also, Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic eliminated seventh-seeded Andreas Seppi of Italy after beating him 7-6 (6), 4-6, 7-6 (7).
Serbia's Viktor Troicki beat Benjamin Becker of Germany 6-2, 7-6 (6) to set up a second round meeting with third-seeded Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic.
Earlier, Germany's Florian Mayer beat American qualifier Tim Smyczek in straight sets to set up a second round meeting with five-time winner Roger Federer on Wednesday.
Rafael Nadal will open on the same day against Lukas Lacko of Slovakia, who beat Konstantin Kravchuk of Russia 2-6, 6-2, 6-3 in the first round.
Nadal won a record seventh French Open title on Monday after defeating top-ranked Novak Djokovic at Roland Garros.
