INDIANAPOLIS, July 15 (UPI) -- Top-seeded James Blake, seeking his first tournament triumph of the year, survived a first-round upset bid Tuesday at the Indianapolis Tennis Championships.
Blake, appearing for the first time since his second-round exit at Wimbledon, defeated Dodi Sela 7-6 (7-2), 6-2.
That set up a second-round match between Blake and qualifier Woong-Sun Jun, who defeated Chris Guccione 6-4, 7-6 (7-4).
Blake has reached the finals in two events this year, including the U.S. Clay Court Championships, but lost on both occasions.
No. 5 seed Tommy Haas also had to work hard before downing Jesse Levine 7-6 (7-4), 6-2.
Fabrice Santoro, the sixth seed, was eliminated by wild card Rajeev Ram 7-6 (8-6), 6-4.
Other first-round winners included Bobby Reynolds, Wayne Odesnik, John Isner and Allejandro Falla, who surprised eighth-seeded Thomaz Bellucci 3-6, 6-4, 6-1.
