Ferrer takes revenge

Acapulco, February 27 

David Ferrer  breezed past Russia’s Andrey Rublev 6-4 6-3 in a night match to reach the second round of the Mexican Open on Monday. 

Four-time champion Ferrer gained revenge against Rublev, who had beaten the Spaniard last month at the Australian Open. The unseeded Ferrer won 78 percent of his first-serve points and broke Rublev’s serve four times. Rublev was more solid in the second, but Ferrer was at his vintage self, pushing and pulling the young Russian all over the court. 

Kevin Anderson surged past Moldova’s Radu Albot in the opening round. The fifth seed’s 6-4 6-3 result marked his fifth straight win after his recent title run at the New York Open.

Dimitrov knocked out by wildcard in Dubai opener

Top seed Grigor Dimitrov suffered a shock 4-6 7-5 6-4 to Tunisian wildcard Malek Jaziri in the first round of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on Tuesday.

Richard Gasquet lost 6-4 6-3 to Borna Coric. Lucas Pouille eased past Ernests Gulbis 6-4 6-4. — Agencies