BASTAD, Sweden (AP) Former finalist Fernando Verdasco saved all five break points he faced in beating Swiss qualifier Henri Laaksonen 6-3, 6-2 in the first round of the Swedish Open on Tuesday.
Verdasco, who won his seventh ATP title in Bucharest in April, has reached the quarterfinals or better five times in Bastad, including the 2013 final. He next faces Spanish compatriot Albert Montanes, a winner of six clay-court titles, and who handed Elias Ymer of Sweden his 10th consecutive main draw loss, 6-4, 6-2.
''I'm pleased about the way I played, especially as it's my first match on clay since the grass swing,'' Verdasco said. ''I've done well here in the past with a runner-up finish and a couple of semifinals, but I'll be working hard to lift the trophy this week.''
Other winners included Taro Daniel of Japan, who downed seventh-seeded Horacio Zeballos of Argentina 6-4, 6-2, Gastao Elias of Portugal, Dustin Brown of Germany, and Roberto Carballes of Spain.
David Ferrer, the top seed and former two-time champion, had a bye into the second round and will play Calvin Hemery, who notched his first ATP main draw win against fellow Frenchman and qualifier Tristan Lamasine 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.
