LYON, France - Gaston Gaudio kept alive his hopes of claiming one of the three remaining Masters Cup tennis berths with a 6-3 4-6 6-3 defeat of Frenchman Arnaud Clement at the Lyon Grand Prix today.
The Argentine, who sits 10th in the Champions Race leaderboard and needs a strong showing here, reeled off the last four games to beat the 2000 champion and secure a second round against French teenager Gael Monfils or Czech Jan Hernych.
In the opening day's most anticipated clash, seventh seed Mario Ancic of Croatia beat American James Blake, winner in Stockholm earlier this month, 6-2 7-6.
Ancic is joined in the draw by Davis Cup teammate Ivan Ljubicic who will be hoping to maintain his hot streak.
Ljubicic, who has won 16 of his last 17 matches, plays 2004 Lyon semi-finalist Vince Spadea on Tuesday.
Top seed Andy Roddick, already assured of his place in the Masters Cup in Shanghai, opens against local wildcard Thierry Ascione on Tuesday.
The American former world No 1 has not won a match on the ATP Tour since his semifinal victory over Lleyton Hewitt in Cincinnati in August.
- REUTERS
Tennis: Gaudio keeps Masters Cup hopes alive
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