Jiri Novak advances at Japanese Open

TOKYO, Oct. 2 (UPI) -- Jiri Novak, who won the Japanese Open in 2004, came from behind to beat another Czech, Robin Vik, in the 2006 tournament's opening round Monday.

Novak won, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, at Ariake Colosseum.

Another former title-holder, Kenneth Carlsen of Denmark, beat wild card Gouichi Motomura, 6-7 (5-7), 6-3, 6-2. Carlsen won the Open in 2002.

Takao Suzuki of Japan slammed German Simon Greul, 6-2, 6-2. Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina licked wild card Go Soeda, 6-3, 6-1.

Also advancing were Argentine Edgardo Massa, Canadian Frank Dancevic, Taipei's Yeu-Tzuoo Wang and Denmark's Kristian Pless. Roger Federer of Switzerland, who won the U.S. Open last month and is the top seed in Tokyo, had a bye in the first round.