Tennis: Nielsen wins first round in Russia

New Zealand tennis No 1 Mark Nielsen beat his doubles partner to win his first round match at a US$25,000 ($36,818) challenger tournament in Russia today.

Nielsen beat American Scott Lipsky 6-3 6-3 to progress to the second round of the claycourt tournament in Saransk.

The pair teamed up to lose their first round doubles match to Enev and Adrian Cruciat of Romania, 7-6 (8-6) 3-6 7-5.

Nielsen, currently with a world singles ranking of 394 and doubles ranking of 277, had more doubles success at the weekend.

He and Lipsky won the doubles title at the US$25,000 Togliatti Cup in Russia, beating Italian pair Flavio Cipolla and Massimo Ocera 6-2 6-3 in the final.

- NZPA