Monday, Nov. 02, 2009

Davydenko rolls in Valencia opener

Second-seeded world No. 7 Nikolay Davydenko was an easy first-round winner Monday at the $2.98 million Valencia Open.

The Russian Davydenko drubbed Colombian qualifier Alejandro Falla 6-2, 6-1 on the indoor hardcourts here. Davydenko advanced in a mere 61 minutes with the help of five service breaks.

The host nation had a pair of winners on Day 1, as Albert Montanes beat qualifier and fellow Spaniard Roberto Bautista-Agut 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 and Guillermo Garcia-Lopez handled German Simon Greul 7-5, 6-2.

One other result saw 19th-ranked Czech Tomas Berdych blitz France's Paul-Henri Mathieu 6-3, 6-4.

In addition to Davydenko, this week's star-studded field also includes top- seeded Andy Murray, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Spanish slugger Fernando Verdasco, the 2004 Valencia titlist. Murray will face Spanish wild card Daniel Gimeno- Traver here on Tuesday.

David Ferrer beat Nicolas Almagro in last year's popular all-Spanish Valencia final. Almagro was the reigning two-time champ here. Ferrer and Almagro will meet in a rematch of last year's title tilt in an opening-rounder here on Tuesday.

The 2009 Valencia winner will take home $475,000.