Wawrinka advances in Rogers Cup

Toronto, July 27 (IANS) Second seed Stan Wawrinka headlined the seeded players to advance on the second day of action in Rogers Cup Main Draw tournament at Aviva Centre here.

The 31-year-old Swiss battled Russia's Mikhail Youzhny in a two-hour match that went to tie break in both sets on Tuesday. Wawrinka won 7-3 in the first tie break and 8-6 in the second to secure his spot in the third round of the tournament, reports Xinhua.

In the only other second round match on Tuesday, No. 5 seed Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic overcame a first set loss to beat Borna Coric of Croatia in three sets.

Tuesday saw three seeded French players in first play. No. 10 seed Gael Monfils and No. 13 seed Lucas Pouille were victorious while No. 14 seed Benoit Paire was bounced in straight sets by 37-year-old Czech Radek Stepanek, who reached the main draw as a qualifier.

The final seeded player in action, Steve Johnson of USA, the No. 15 seed fell in straight sets to Italian Fabio Fognini.

Tuesday also featured Canadian Vasek Pospisil, one of six Canadians in the Main Draw. The 26-year-old was victorious over Frenchmen Jeremy Chardy, who was forced to retire with a right foot injury in the opening game of the second set.

Of the 30 remaining players in the tournament, five are Canadian. No. 4 seeded Milos Raonic will play his opening match Wednesday evening, his first match since losing to Andy Murray in the finals of Wimbledon earlier in the month.

In doubles action, World. No. 1 ranked Novak Djokovic and partner Nenad Zimonjic fell in three sets to the Canadian team of Philip Bester and Adil Shamasdin.

--IANS

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