World No. 8 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga struggled to victory against wild-card entry Javier Marti from Spain 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 in the Valencia Open on Tuesday. The chances for Mardy Fish to play in his first ATP season final may have been badly compromised as the American suffered a hamstring injury in his first round encounter.
Fish was leading James Blake 1-0 in the opening set when he was forced to retire.
At Basel, Roger Federer gave his home fans exactly what they were seeking as the four-time champion moved into the second round with a 7-6(3), 6-4 victory over Potito Starace on Monday.
Federer showed some rustiness against the World No. 54 before he claimed his sixth win in six meetings with the Italian.
The results : At Valencia (ATP Valencia Open): First round : Sam Querrey bt Ernests Gulbis 6-3, 6-4; Jo-Wilfried Tsonga bt Javier Marti 4-6, 7-5, 6-2; David Ferrer bt Fernando Verdasco 6-3, 6-2.
At Basel (ATP Swiss Indoors Basel): First round : James Blake bt Mardy Fish 0-1, retd.; Stanislas Wawrinka bt Ivan Dodig 6-4, 6-4; Michael Lammer bt Mikhail Youzhny 6-4, 6-3; Roger Federer bt Potito Starace 7-6(3), 6-4.
