Belgian David Goffin made a winning start at the Rotterdam World Tennis Tournament as he defeated Russian Andrey Kuznetsov 6-3 6-2 for a place in the second round.
The third-seeded Goffin rebounded after losing the Sofia final to Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov on Sunday.
“I am feeling good. I’m playing really well and pleased with the victory, especially against Andrey – a good indoor player,” the winner said. “He can play fast, so it was not an easy first round.
“I served well when I needed to and I am happy to win my first match in Rotterdam. I had a great week in Sofia and I’ve come here with a lot of confidence.
“I remember the first time I played in Rotterdam and I didn’t win any games against Jarkko Nieminen [in the 2013 first round]. The tournament isn’t far from Belgium and I have support here.”
Dimitrov also advanced Wednesday as he stretched his season record to 15-1 with a 6-7 (4-7) 6-2 6-4 defeat of Mischa Zverev.
Dimitrov is the only man in 2017 with two ATP titles, having won in Brisbane last month before adding the home honours at the weekend.
Zverev, who knocked Andy Murray out of the Australian Open in the fourth round, is the elder brother of Alexander Zverev, whose title in Montpellier sent him inside the world top 20.
Dimitrov needed just under two hours to advance to the second round, setting up a match point with his 11th ace.
“I’m pleased with the win, Mischa did not make it easy for me with his game,” he said. “I had to fight to win.”
Dimitrov next takes on Denis Istomin, the Uzbek who eliminated Novak Djokovic in the second round of the Australian Open.
In the first round, Richard Gasquet beat Serb Viktor Troicki 6-4 6-2 claiming victory with a pair of untouchable backhand passing shots.
Defending champion Martin Klizan, meanwhile, reached the quarter-finals as he chases a repeat title, beating German Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-7 (5-7) 6-4 6-1.
Sixth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga beat Luxembourg’s Gilles Muller in straight sets to ease into the second round.
Tsonga broke his opponent three times and did not face a single break point on his own serve as he wrapped up a 6-4 6-2 win in just over one hour.
