Tue Oct 7 17:32:06 2008

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Nalbandian, Ancic move on in Stockholm

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Stockholm, Sweden (Sports Network) - Top seeds David Nalbandian and Mario Ancic were among Tuesday's first-round winners at the $980,000 Stockholm Open.

The Argentine Nalbandian blasted American Bobby Reynolds 6-1, 6-1, while the Croatian Ancic fired 19 aces and erased Belgian Olivier Rochus 7-6 (8-6), 6-2 on the indoor hardcourt at Royal Tennis Hall.

Fifth-seeded Wimbledon semifinalist Rainer Schuettler of Germany advanced with a 6-0, 6-3 pasting of Aussie Chris Guccione, while sixth-seeded Argentine Jose Acasuso saved a match point and edged out German qualifier Matthias Bachinger 7-6 (7-5), 3-6, 7-6 (7-4).

Tall Swede Joachim Johansson entered the draw as a wild card this week and defeated Frenchman Nicolas Mahut 7-5, 7-6 (7-5). Johansson retired from the ATP back in February due to ongoing shoulder problems, but decided to return to action in Stockholm this week.

"I'm very happy for the win," said the former world No. 9 Johansson. "I didn't feel anything on my shoulder, so that is very positive. Regardless on how I do in Stockholm I want to take things slowly, and get back on the circuit little by little."

In other Day-2 action, Argentine lucky-loser Juan Monaco mauled Swedish veteran Jonas Bjorkman 6-2, 6-4, while Belgian Steve Darcis overcame countryman Christophe Rochus 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 and Spaniard Oscar Hernandez doused Czech Ivo Minar 6-4, 6-3. The wild card Bjorkman played his final singles match on the ATP, going 414-362 on the circuit.

"It was a very emotional match," said the 1997 Stockholm titlist Bjorkman. "I felt I could have played a lot better than I did because I was playing well during practice during the last weeks."

Croat Ivo Karlovic, who is not defending his title here this week, beat Swedish favorite Thomas Johansson, the 2000 and 2004 Stockholm champion, in last year's finale here.