Mikhail Youzhny reaches second round of tennis tournament in Cincinnati

Mikhail Youzhny of Russia has fought his way into the second round of a representative tennis tournament of the Masters series in Cincinnati, whose prize fund is $2,200,000.

On the previous day, Youzhny, ranked 44th by the Professional Tennis Association (PTA), defeated Nicolas Massu from Chile.

The duel which lasted more than two hours ended in the Russian's 6-3, 3-6 and 6-3 victory.

In the second round the Muscovite is facing Fabrice Santoro of France.

Before this the Frenchman and the Russian had played each other three times, and Youzhny was invariably the stronger. The last time they met was two years ago at a tournament in Halle (Germany) when Youzhny won 6-0, 7-6.

Earlier, the best Russian tennis player Marat Safin had made it to the second round in Cincinnati. In his opening match he conquered Czech Jiri Novak (6-0, 6-3).