Andy Murray looked good in his 2015 clay debut.

“I’m really happy I’m able to defend the title,” Nishikori said. “I think the second set was extremely tough and I don’t really know how I won it to be honest. Pablo was very aggressive, he kept moving the ball and made me run up and down all the time. I also tried to be aggressive and I think that’s why I won the important points, but I’d say he played better than me.”

Caroline Wozniacki collected one of her best wins of the season.

Kei Nishikoi beat Santiago Giraldo in last year’s final…Returning former champs in the final are Nishikori (2014), Nadal (2013-11,’09-05), Verdasco (2010) and Robredo (2004).

The Bryan brothers, coming off the Miami Open title, are the top seeds in doubles…The tournament celebrates its 15th year in Houston after moving about in the U.S. since 1910…Former champs in the field are Verdasco (2014), Isner (2013), and Hewitt (2009).

“I was either going to be a genius or a nonsense captain,” Mauresmo said. “I took the decision to play Kristina because I knew she had the game to beat Errani. We knew the tactics and she was able to deliver on the court which is always the toughest thing to do.”

The stars are coming out on week one, even uncharacteristically on the women’s side, as current No. 1 Novak Djokovic and former top dogs Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Lleyton Hewitt, Maria Sharapova, Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic compete at four events in week one of 2015.

Notes: All 16 seeds receive opening-round byes in the 48-player draw…Dolgopolov has not won a match at Hamburg in three attempts, and fellow seeds Youzhny, Kohlschreiber, Granollers and Giraldo also have losing records in the ‘burg…Tough potential starts for (16) Seppi vs. Monaco, (4) Dolgopolov vs. Janowicz, (7) Kohlschreiber vs. Montanes, and (14) Sousa vs. Rosol…107th edition of the event…

The hodgepodge of seeds includes a former world No. 1 and Wimbledon champ and this year’s Wimbledon men’s doubles winner…Interesting starts for (7) Sock vs. the veteran Kuznetsov and the struggling (2) Karlovic vs. Ginepri…

Wildcards went to Azarenka and Brits Heather Watson and Johanna Konta…Pulling from the event were Svetlana Kuznetsova and Sorana Cirstea…Tough starts go to (5) Kerber vs. Riske, (4) Azarenka vs. Giogi, (8) Wozniacki vs. Stosur, and (2) Kvitova vs. Safarova…Returning former champs in the field are Wozniacki (2009) and Radwanksa (2008).

“I’ve had ups and downs,” Wawrinka said. “That’s why I’m saying I am not at the level of Djokovic, Nadal, Federer, because they have been around for many years, and they win everything. I know I’ll have the level. I could defeat them, but it’s different…I need to put the puzzle back together, find solutions, because the pressure is different.”

Notes: Haas beat Kohlschreiber in the all-German 2013 final…The top-seeded Fognini makes his Munich debut…Challenging starts for (1) Fognini after a bye vs. either Dr. Ivo or Smokin’ Dustin Brown, and (4) Monfils the Meltdown after a bye possibly facing the Austrian veteran Tuna Melzer…

The semifinals are set at Monte Carlo, who’ll be in the Sunday final?

Will the Top 4 seeds make it to the Monte Carlo semifinals?

It was the fourth career title on clay for Verdasco, who improved to 6-13 in career finals. Almagro extended a losing streak in finals of his own, dropping his fourth straight final and falling to 12-9 career in finals. He repeated his runner-up effort of 2013 when he lost to John Isner in the Houston final.