Tennis: Sitak collects good win in Rio

Artem Sitak returns a shot against Michael Berrer. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand Davis Cup team member Artem Sitak and American doubles partner Nicholas Monroe have scored a good win in the first round of the ATP 500 tournament Rio de Janeiro beating Argentine Guillermo Duran and Spaniard Albert Ramos-Vinolas 7-6(5) 7-6(5).

For Sitak, ranked 53 in the world, a first round win at an ATP 500 tournament brings with it 90 ATP ranking points and a good confidence boost as well.

At the same tournament Marcus Daniell and Marcelo Demoliner (Brazil) face the top seeds Jamie Murray (Scotland) and Bruno Soares (Brazil) tomorrow in their first round match.

Mike Venus and Robert Lindstedt (Sweden) lost to third seeds Treat Huey (Philippines) and Max Mirnyi (Belarus) 5-7 3-6 in their first round match At the ATP 250 tournament at Delray Beach in the United States.