Top seed Fernando Verdasco cruised through to the third round of ATP Pilot Pen with a 6-4 6-4 win over Israel's Dudi Sela.
Former doubles partners Isner and Karlovic to clash in round three
Top seed Fernando Verdasco cruised through to the third round of ATP Pilot Pen with a 6-4 6-4 win over Israel's Dudi Sela.
The Spaniard brushed aside the world number 75 to make an excellent start in New Haven. He had received a first round bye.
Next up for Verdasco will be either 15th seed Eduardo Schwank or Ivo Minar from the Czech Republic.
American hopes of a home win in the tournament could rest with wildcard entries John Isner and Robby Ginepri, who were both victorious in the second round.
Massive battle
Big-serving Isner knocked out Russian Igor Kunitsyn, a semi-finalist last week at the Legg Mason Classic, to set up a battle of the giants against Ivo Karlovic.
The 6ft 9 Isner and the 6ft 10 Croatian Karlovic played doubles together at the Australian Open at the start of the year.
"That will be interesting for sure," Isner said ahead of the clash. "If I somehow play well enough to win, that will be huge."
Viktor Troicki continued his impressive form from Washington last week, where he lost in the final to the in-form Martin Del Potro, with a 7-5 2-6 6-1 over American qualifier Alex Bogomolov Jr.
Pulled out
Del Potro has pulled out of the event citing exhaustion after winning the last four successive ATP Tour titles he has competed in.
"It is difficult to still play a lot of matches," he said. "I want to recover for the US Open. Unfortunately I have to pull out of this tournament."
In the women's event, Patty Schnyder advanced past the opening round thanks to a 6-4 7-6 (7-2) victory over American Jill Craybas.
Seventh seed Alize Cornet of France is also through, edging out Nicole Vaidisova 6-3 7-6 (8-6) but Dominika Cubulkova, seeded eighth, had to retire against Caroline Wozniacki due to illness.
