Monday 8 February 2016 22:58, UK
Former finalist Marin Cilic made a winning start to the Rotterdam Open after seeing off Denis Istomin on Monday.
Second seed Cilic, a 2014 finalist at the Ahoy stadium, posted a 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 victory to leave Istomin without a win at the event for a third consecutive year.
The 2014 US Open winner, who finished runner-up to Tomas Berdych two years ago, hopes to go one better this year and also emulate his coach Goran Ivanisevic, who won the event 20 years ago.
"To win here would be a huge honour but the tournament is tough," he said. "I can only go step by step, there is no other way. But I will be pushing myself hard to try and win it."
Cilic plundered 10 aces against the 29-year-old and never faced a break point.
"It was a tough, mental challenge," the 13th-ranked winner said. "The first set was very close and the second was a mental battle. I was lucky to pull it through."
World No 87 Ivan Dodig carried on his fine form, having come through weekend qualifying, to record a 6-3 7-6 (7-4) defeat of seventh-seeded Benoit Paire.
Paire, one of seven French players in the draw, committed well over 50 unforced errors in what was a frustrating afternoon.
Jiri Vesely won an all-Czech battle in the first round as he defeated Lukas Rosol 6-4 6-2 while Croatian younsgter Borna Coric beat home hope Thiemo de Bakker 7-6 (11-9) 4-6 6-3.
Frenchman Richard Gasquet is the top seed in the event after Roger Federer pulled out after undergoing knee surgey.
Gasquet comes to the Netherlands in tip-top form having collected a 13th career title after winning in Montpellier at the weekend.
Watch the ATP ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam all this week on Sky Sports 3 HD - your home of tennis. Or watch from £6.99 without a contract, on NOW TV.
