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Monfils, Wawrinka win openers in Tokyo

Posted on: Monday, 5 October 2009, 10:16 CDT

Gael Monfils and Stanislas Wawrinka claimed straight-set wins Monday in first-round play at the $1.23 million Japan Open tennis tournament in Tokyo.

Monfils, seeded fourth, used three service breaks to dispatch Marsel Ilhan in 66 minutes. Monfils, 23, saved five break-point situations and had 15 aces in just nine service games.

Wawrinka, the No. 7 seed, had one break in each set of a 6-4, 6-4 win over John Isner. He was forced into just one break-point chance by Isner and saved it.

Also Monday, Simon Greul stopped Martin Vassallo Arguello 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 and Marco Chiudinelli beat Dudi Sela 4-6, 6-1, 6-4. Chiudinelli's win was worth a second-round matchup against Monfils while Greul next plays Wawrinka.

Juan Martin del Potro is the tournament's top seed. He was the Japan Open runner-up in 2008.

The tournament continues through Sunday when the champion will be rewarded with $300,000.

Source: United Press International

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