Tennis: Venus and Pavic back to winning ways

Michael Venus celebrates with Mate Pavic after winning their doubles final at the ASB Classic. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand doubles No.1 Michael Venus has continued his good form with regular partner Mate Pavic of Croatia.

The pair have won their first round clash on clay at the ATP tournament in Marrakech, Morocco, beating the Argentine team of Facundo Bagnis and Federico Delbonis 7-6 (7) 6-2.

They face the talented pair of Spaniard Albert Ramos-Vinolas and Czech Jiri Vesely in the quarterfinals tonight in what is the start of their build up to the French Open next month.

There was also a doubles win for Marina Erakovic and Italian Karin Knapp. They beat top seeds Maria Rigoyen (Argentina) and Paula Kania (Poland) 6-4 6-3 in just over an hour in the first round of the Katowice WTA event.

Meanwhile at the ATP tournament in Houston Marcus Daniell and an unwell Artem Sitak lost to American third seeds Eric Butorac and Scott Lipsky in the first round 6-4 6-4