Gonzalez starts with win in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS, March 5 (UPI) -- Top-seeded Fernando Gonzalez downed Dudi Sela 6-2, 7-6 (7-2) Tuesday in the first round of the $436,000 Tennis Channel Open in Las Vegas.

Marco Baghdati, seeded third, also managed a two-set win over Vincent Spadea, 7-6 (7-5), 6-1, in the hard-court tourney. The event is where Spadea won his only ATP title in 2004.

Kevin Anderson recorded the day's only upset, knocking off sixth-seeded Michael Llodra 6-2, 7-6 (7-2).

Fifth-seeded Italian Potito Starace stopped Argentine Carlos Berlocq 7-6 (7-5), 6-0; Frenchman Julien Benneteau beat veteran Swede Jonas Bjorkman 6-4, 7-6 (7-4); American wild card John Isner overcame Colombian Alejandro Falla 4-6, 6-3, 6-4; and Amer Delic downed Jurgen Melzer 7-5, 7-6 (7-2).

In other matches, Chris Guccione defeated Victor Hanescu 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (7-5); Peter Luczak led Mischa Zverev 6-2, 1-0 when Zverev retired; and Ernests Gulbis beat Nicolas Massu 7-5, 4-6, 6-4.

The winner of this event takes home $68,800.