Nadal opens post-French play with win

LONDON, June 11 (UPI) -- World No. 2 Rafael Nadal swept through a second-round win Wednesday at the $1.12 million Artois Championships tennis tournament in London.

Nadal had a first-round bye at the tournament, making Wednesday's appearance his first since he won his fourth consecutive French Open championship. The Artois is played on grass rather than Nadal's preferred clay surface but he was still dominant in a 6-2, 6-2 win over Jonas Bjorkman.

Second-seeded Novak Djokovic defeated Roko Karanusic 6-23, 7-6 (9-7) and No. 3-seeded Andy Roddick, the Artois defending champion, strongly rebounded after a shaky first set for a 6-7 (6-8), 6-1, 6-1 win over Robby Ginepri.

Fourth-seeded David Nalbandian was another straight-set winner Wednesday, talking out Viktor Troicki 6-4, 7-6 (7-4) while No. 5 Richard Gasquet beat Simone Bolelli 6-3, 6-3. Also, 10th-seeded Fernando Gonzalez eliminated Marat Safin 6-3, 7-6 (7-3) and 11th-seeded Lleyton Hewitt was a 6-3, 6-2 winner over Xavier Malisse.

No. 12-seeded Andreas Seppi was upset 6-3, 6-7 by Ernests Gulbis. Other winners second-round Wednesday were Janko Tipsarevic, Mardy Fish, Kei Nishikori and Nicolas Mahut.