Youzhny battles past Djokovic in Marseille first round

MARSEILLE, Feb 12 (Reuters) Russian Mikhail Youzhny beat fourth-seed Novak Djokovic 4-6 6-4 7-6 after a two and half hour battle to reach the second round of the Marseille Open today.

Youzhny snatched seven points in a row in the deciding tie-break to wrap up the match.

Serbian Djokovic, winner of the Adelaide Open last month, was the first seed to crash in Marseille.

Youzhny will take on the winner of the first round match between French veteran Fabrice Santoro and Spain's Fernando Verdasco.

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