Haas, Safin Win; Hewitt Shocked by Goldstein in LA

Posted on July 26, 2006

Sixth seed and former champion Tommy Haas breezed into the second round of the Countrywide Classic in Los Angeles Tuesday with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Australian qualifier Wayne Arthurs. Haas, the LA champion in 2004 (d. Kiefer in final), did not face a break point and dropped just six points on his serve.

Haas, a former World No.2, is chasing his third title on US hard courts this year following his victories in Delray Beach and Memphis.

"I had a good first serve percentage," Haas said. "I was really playing solid and not making too many loose mistakes. I thought I was solid on both wings."

Marat Safin took advantage of Mardy Fish's poor serving to reach the second round with a 6-4, 7-5 win. With Fish serving at just 45 percent, Safin earned nine break point chances, converting three. Former World No. 1 Safin is attempting to reach his first quarterfinal since Valencia in mid April. The Russian is a modest 13-12 on the season. His last title came 18 months ago at the Australian Open.

"I have no fever," said the Russian who is coming off some health issues. "The allergies are gone. I had one week to practice. I had fitness and rest. I'm much better. For the first round, this was pretty good."

Making his first appearance of the US Open Series and playing his first tournament since Wimbledon, second seed Lleyton Hewitt dropped serve four times in his 6-4, 6-4 loss to American Paul Goldstein.

Goldstein, who last week fell to Paradorn Srichaphan in the third round of Indianapolis after blowing three match points, avenged his semifinal loss to Hewitt in the Las Vegas semifinals in early March. He is now 14-14 on the season.

"I've been 0-4 coming into tonight's match vs. Lleyton but in those matches I had played him close those times," Goldstein said. "I talked with my coach and he told me I need to take the opportunity to measure myself against one of the top players out there. This has to be one of my best matches. I served well and I maintained discipline out there tonight."

Seventh seed Dominik Hrbaty claimed three service breaks in his 7-5, 7-5 win over Zach Fleishman to reach the second round.

Meanwhile, fourth-seeded Robby Ginepri knocked out Newport finalist Justin Gimelstob 6-4, 6-4 for a second round meeting with Kenneth Carlsen.