South African tennis veteran Wayne Ferreira, due to retire from the sport next month, scrambled to a 6-2, 6-3 win over Spaniard David Sanchez on Monday to reach the second round of the $380 000 ATP Long Island event.
The South African, who will wrap up his career after the US Open and a final Davis Cup appearance for his nation, improved his record this closeout season to 13 wins against 14 losses.
He has a chance to pull level for 2004 when he plays the winner of a Tuesday match between Thailand’s Paradorn Srichaphan and qualifier Kevin Kim.
The event is missing Andre Agassi, who withdrew on Sunday only hours after a semifinal loss in Washington to finalist Gilles Muller of Luxembourg.
Taking up much of the week’s spotlight is Washington champion Lleyton Hewitt, who is on form for next week’s start of the US Open, which he won in 2001.
The former world number one Australian, seeded second, begins play on Tuesday against France’s Olivier Mutis.
”I’m happy where my game is at,” said the winner of three titles this season. ”I just need a few more matches to keep this roll going.”
Gasquet is one of four Frenchmen in the field, all in the bottom half of the draw.
Former top-20 contender Gambill has used this event as a US Open warm-up for the past several years.
The American said his goal for the remainder of this season will be a top-40 finish.
”I had to pick up my serving in the second set,” said the winner, now 13-18 this season. ”I stayed tough, didn’t get angry and stuck it out.
”I had six good serving games in the second. Now that I’m fit, I’m able to work harder than ever in practice.” — Sapa-AFP