SYDNEY (AP) — Former U.S. Open champion Juan Martin del Potro, returning from a wrist injury that sidelined him much of 2010, beat sixth-seeded Feliciano Lopez of Spain 6-7 (5), 7-6 (9), 7-6 (3) in the first round of the Sydney International on Monday.
Other men’s winners included Germany’s Florian Mayer and Ukrainian Sergiy Stakhovsky.
In women’s play, French Open champion Francesca Schiavone was beaten by Alisa Kleybanova of Russia 6-7 (5), 6-1, 6-2. Fourth-seeded Australian Samantha Stosur won 7-5, 6-4 over Yanina Wickmayer, while seventh-seeded Victoria Azarenka beat Ekaterina Makarova 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 and eighth-seeded Li Na defeated Anastasia Rodionova 6-1, 6-2.
Defending men’s champion Marcos Baghdatis withdrew from the tournament due to a left groin injury suffered during a training session over the weekend.
