By Chris Soderstrom
Top-seeded Scot Andy Murray shot off the blocks at the St Petersburg Open today with a solid straight sets victory over Serbia’s Viktor Troicki.
Murray, the defending champion, defeated Troicki 6-3, 6-3 and will now face Latvian danger-man Ernests Gulbis. Despite winning their last encounter 5-7, 6-1, 6-4 in this year’s Queen’s Club third round, Murray will tread cautiously.
Two-time champion, Marat Safin, defeated top Ukrainian Sergiy Stakhovsky 6-2, 6-4 in his first round match.
The burly Russian fired nine aces and converted four of seven break points en route to victory. He will now face Kazakhstan qualifier Andrev Golubev, an easy winner over Belgian Olivier Rochus.
Second seed Nikolay Davydenko withdrew from his second round match against local wildcard Michail Elgin due to a wrist injury.
He will now shift his attention to the Tennis Masters Tournament in Shanghai, which is set to commence on November 9.