In the final match of the first day of the LA Tennis Open, the doubles team of Russians Igor Kunitsyn and Marat Safin took down Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus and Dudi Sela of Israel in an 11-9 tiebreaker after splitting the first two sets, 6-7 and 6-2.
Safin had only a few minutes of rest after his exhibition match against Pete Sampras.
Despite a noticeably smaller crowd at the second match of the night in Straus Stadium, loyal fans stayed behind to catch the initial traces of first-round action of the doubles draw.
Kunitsyn and Safin will face the winner of tomorrow’s match between the Bryan brothers (Bob and Mike) and Carsten Ball of Australia and Kaes Van’t Hof of the U.S.
The Russian duo’s win came in large part to their saving 14 of 17 break points, while Baghdatis and Sela saved only five of 10 break chances.
Despite taking the second set easily by 6-2, Kunitsyn and Safin had a tough time in the tiebreak against Baghdatis and Sela. About 20 minutes after a quick second set, Kunitsyn and Safin kept their tournament hopes alive with a tiebreak victory.
Compiled by Farzad Mashhood, Bruin Sports senior staff.