Chennai: Chennai Open tennis tournament saw its first big causality when second seed David Nalbandian was knocked out in the first round itself.
Nalbandian seemed to be well in control against Kristian Pless and won the first set with considerable ease. But then Pless took over and turned the game around.
He won 2-6, 6-3, 7-5 in a three-hour long encounter in the center court.
Meanwhile, crowd favourite Carlos Moya and top seed Rafael Nadal sailed through to the second round.
The Spaniard, playing his first match after nearly three months had some trouble disposing Alexander Waske but he finally emerged victorious in straight sets 6-4, 6-2.
"He took away from me but I'm pretty happy with the way I played today," Moya said after the match.
Indian hope Karan Rastogi also went through to the next round. The 20-year-old made short work of his higher ranked opponent Thiago Alves beating him in straight sets 6-3, 6-4.
Though the real challenge is around the corner, as Rastogi will play Rafa in the second round he was not worried.
"I am going to focus on my game and I really can't think about what he is doing. I'm going to focus on my stokes and figure out a way to tackle him. I'm looking forward to the challenge," Rastogi said.
Even though Rafael Nadal sent Rainer Schuettler packing the World No 2 felt he needed to lift his game some more.
"I am happy that I have won the match. I need to improve. When you are out of competition for some time it is not easy," Nadal said.
A lot of action is waiting to unfold at the Chennai Open on Day III with Moya and Pless returning to the courts to take on Kevin Kim and Ivo Karlovic.
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