Safin upset by Kiefer in first round in Cincinnati

CINCINNATI, Aug 13 (Reuters) Former world number one Marat Safin was dumped out in the first round of the Cincinnati Masters today, beaten 6-3 7-6 by German Nicolas Kiefer.

The Russian made too many unforced errors and Kiefer, still in the early throes of his comeback after a year out with a wrist injury, took advantage to reach round two.

Former US Open and Australian Open champion Safin, now ranked 24, suffered a terrible start, slipping to 5-0 down and though he got one break back, Kiefer took the set.

The German, ranked 222 but in the tournament thanks to a protected ranking, broke to lead 2-1 in the second set but Safin gave himself hope when he broke back for 3-3 and then held his serve to force a tiebreak.

The Russian then played a woeful tiebreak, double-faulting to hand Kiefer victory, 7-1.

Eleventh seed Ivan Ljubicic of Croatia recovered from an awful start to beat American Amer Delic 1-6 7-6 6-3, while number 13 Mikhail Youzhny of Russia crushed Slovak Dominik Hrbaty 6-3 6-1.

Another former world number one, Carlos Moya, the winner in 2002, enjoyed a 7-6 7-6 win over Argentine David Nalbandian to set up a clash with Serb Novak Djokovic, who won the Montreal Masters yesterday.

Moya came from 3-0 down to win the opening set but the Spaniard let slip a 4-1 lead in the second before recovering to win a second tiebreak 7-2.

Argentine Juan Ignacio Chela beat Briton Tim Henman 6-4 3-6 6-3, while Juergen Melzer of Austria, Spaniard Nicolas Almagro and Finn Jarkko Nieminen all claimed first-round wins.

Reuters KK SBA VP0343