Associated Press

Gstaad, July 8:

Two-time champion Albert Costa of Spain was upset in the second round of the Swiss Open, surrendering in straight sets to Russia’s Igor Andreev in 544,750 clay-court event. Andreev dominated the 1996 and 1999 champion 6-2, 6-4 in an hour and 23 minutes to advance to the quarter-finals. Earlier, defending champion Jiri Novak suffered a first-set scare before defeating Albert Montanes of Spain 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 to reach the round of eight. Andreev will face Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo in the quarter-finals. The Spaniard defeated Stefan Koubek of Austria, 6-3, 6-4. Novak’s victory was his 12th straight in Gstaad. In last year’s final, Novak defeated local favourite Roger Federer. With the victory, fourth-seeded Novak improved his overall record on the red clay in Gstaad to 15-4. Novak is seeking his third title in Gstaad after also winning in 2001. In the quarter-finals, Novak will play Italian qualifier Potito Starace, who beat Victor Hanescu of Romania 3-6, 7-6, 7-6.

Hall of Fame

NEWPORT: Brian Vahaly of the United States snapped a seven-match losing streak, beating Michal Mertinak of Slovakia 6-2, 6-2 to advance to the second round of the Hall of Fame Tournament. Vahaly had climbed to a world ranking of 84th at the end of last year, but his losing streak dropped him to 236th entering this tournament. In other first-round matches, American qualifier Brian Baker defeated Wesley Moodie of South Africa 6-2, 6-7, 7-6; Glenn Weiner of the United States beat Alexander Peya of Austria 7-6, 6-4; Gilles Elseneer of Belgium defeated American Rajeev Ram 6-2, 6-3; and David Sanguinetti of Italy eliminated Robert Kendrick of the United States 3-6, 6-2, 6-3.