Mirnyi downs Baghdatis to advance in Monte Carlo

MONTE CARLO, Ap 16 (Reuters) Max Mirnyi of Belarus made light work of Cypriot 14th seed Marcos Baghdatis winning 7-5 6-4 to reach the Monte Carlo Masters Series second round today.

Big serving Mirnyi wrapped up the win in one hour and 38 minutes on his first match point and will meet either Austrian Juergen Melzer or Argentine qualifier Sergio Roitman for a third round spot.

Belgian Kristof Vliegen set up a second round clash with former world number one Marat Safin when he beat Paul-Henri Mathieu 7-5 6-3.

The Frenchman was suffering from gastro-enteritis.

Compatriot Marc Gicquel, who was 5-2 down in the decider, won five games in a row to get past German Florian Mayer 7-5 5-7 7-5.

Ninth seed David Nalbandian of Argentina was playing Italian qualifier Federico Luzzi.

REUTERS AKD PM2141