Baghdatis Blasts Past Nishikori, Joins Dolgopolov In Second Round

© Malaysian OpenAlexandr Dolgopolov cruised through his opener.

Sixth-seeded Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis make light work of Japan's Kei Nishikori with a 6-1, 6-1 victory in just 54 minutes on Tuesday at the Malaysian Open, Kuala Lumpur 2010.

Baghdatis, who has reached eight ATP World Tour quarter-finals (or better) this year, hit eight aces and converted five of six break point opportunities for his 38th win. The World No. 18 lifted his fourth title at the Medibank International Sydney (d. Gasquet) in January. Nishikori has won three ATP Challenger Tour titles this season.

“It was a great match,” said Baghdatis. “I played really good tennis. I’m happy with the way I played and I’m happy I won. Nishikori is a very talented player; he had a good run at the US Open, he’s beaten some good players this year. But I played really well and didn’t give him any chances and I’m very happy about that.”

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Alexandr Dolgopolov, who started the year ranked World No. 131 and rose to a career-high No. 39 on 19 July, defeated French qualifier Laurent Recouderc 6-3, 6-1 in just 50 minutes on Tuesday. Dolgopolov improved to a 15-17 match record on the season, highlighted by a run to his first ATP World Tour semi-final at the AEGON International in Eastbourne (l. to Llodra).

Two qualifiers, Milos Raonic and Igor Andreev, both advanced to the second round on day two at the ATP World Tour 250 indoor hard-court tennis tournament. Raonic hit 23 aces past World No. 105 Igor Kunitsyn of Russia for a 7-6(6), 6-3 victory in 86 minutes, while Andreev saved all three break points he faced to beat Go Soeda of Japan 6-1, 6-4 in one hour and 33 minutes.

“It feels very good,” said Raonic, who recorded his first ATP World Tour-level win. “I played my best tennis in a while today. I’ve been having a good summer, so it’s good to continue here into the indoor swing, where I feel I play well. It’s a little weight off my shoulders, getting my first ATP win. I served really well, that helped me a lot and took a lot of pressure off me.”