Tennis-Nalbandian overcomes Chela in Vienna

VIENNA, Oct 10 (Reuters) David Nalbandian overcame fellow Argentine Juan Ignacio Chela 6-7 6-2 6-2 to reach the second round of the Vienna Open today.

The number two seed, who is hanging on to final place for the eight-player Masters Cup by a single point, struggled at first to get the upper hand against a persistent opponent.

Nalbandian earned the first break to lead 3-2 when Chela was too casual at the net.

But he failed to serve out the set at 5-4 when he netted a backhand and also wasted two set points at 6-4 in the tiebreak before Chela snatched it with a winning return off a second serve.

Nalbandian had to wait until late in the second set to gain an advantage, winning the last four games. The 24-year-old also finished the third set in style, breaking for 3-1 and then winning the last 11 points.

Sixth seed Tommy Haas of Germany defeated Austrian wildcard Martin Fischer 7-6 6-2 in his first step towards trying to re-capture the title he claimed in 2001.

Haas carried an early break right through the opening set, but was unable to serve out the set at 5-4 and was taken to a tiebreak, sweeping to a 6-0 lead before claiming it 7-3.

He broke for 2-0 in the second set but allowed Fischer to level at 2-2 before a forehand error gave the German a further break for 4-2 and he went on to break once more for the match.

Reuters SHB RS2145