Verdasco advances to second round

Seventh-seeded Fernando Verdasco of Spain has advanced to the second round of the French Open by beating Igor Kunitsyn of Russia 6-4, 6-2, 6-2.

The left-handed Spaniard converted six of his 10 break points and had 20 forehand winners on Tuesday.

After winning in Barcelona and reaching the final in Monte Carlo and Nice last week, Verdasco is hoping to make a deep run at the French Open, where he has never advanced beyond the round of 16.

Verdasco will next face either Florent Serra of France or American Michael Russell.