MADRID, Spain — Ernests Gulbis has moved into the second round of the Madrid Open, dealing to Spaniard Albert Montanes in straight sets 7-5, 6-1.

The match had been labeled the must watch match of the first round given the form the world no. 35 and 33 respectively have shown of recently. Whilst Gulbis was able to knock off world no.1 Roger Federer two weeks ago, Montanes was able to replicate the feat last week in Estoril, going on to win the tournament.

Given that Montanes only played in the final of the previous tournament on Sunday, it was always going to be difficult for him to backup and play his best tennis in the first round here in Madrid, especially against a player of Gulbis’ talent.

Both players were broken early in the first set as they battled to get into the rhythm of the match. However, following the early breaks the advantage stayed with serve until Gulbis was  able to break Montanes on his sixth and subsequently final trip to the service line.

Following his disappointment of the first set, the pressure of backing up from Sunday’s final began to show on Montanes as his game began to suffer. As Gulbis began to pull away with ease Montanes attempted to no avail to question the umpire on decisions and take an elongated toilet break.

But Gulbis’ concentration was not to falter as he cantered home to book his place in the second round.

There he will meet 10th seeded Russian Mikhail Youzhney, who needed three sets to dispatch of Slovakian Lukas Lacko 2-6, 6-3, 6-1.

Victory there could then see him facing six seed Andy Roddick, who he would need to overcome to set up  a potential third date with Roger Federer this season.

This article is free to view. To read Baltic Reports’ subscription-only articles, click here.