Vassallo Arguello takes Dutch Open opener

AMERSFOORT, Netherlands, July 14 (UPI) -- No. 7-seeded Martin Vassallo Arguello notched a straight-set victory Monday in first-round play of the Dutch Open in the Netherlands.

Vassallo Arguello dispatched Alberto Brizzi 6-4, 6-3 in one of five matches -- which all lasted just two sets -- on the first day of the clay-court tournament.

Alberto Martin beat Yuri Schukin 7-6 (8-6), 6-4; Christophe Rochus stopped David Marrero 7-5, 6-2; local wild-card entrant Thiemo de Bakker defeated Adrian Cruciat 7-5, 6-4; and Teimuraz Gabashvili won 6-2, 7-6 (7-1), over Thierry Ascione in the other matches.

The top seeds for the 2008 Dutch Open are, in order, Marc Gicquel, Jose Acasuso and defending champion Steve Darcis.

The winner of the $500,000 tournament will collect $86,000.