AUCKLAND, Australia, Jan. 6 (UPI) -- Fifth seed Jose Acasuso was bounced in straight sets in the first round of the Heineken Open Monday by Mantilla of Spain as the Australian Open prep tournament got underway.
On the eve of the event, the Argentine was a 50-1 shot. Top seed Jiri Novak of the Czech Republic was the favorite and No. 3 Fernando Gonzalez of Chile and No. 4 Gustavo Kuerten of Brazil were next.
The oddsmakers knew what they were talking about as Mantilla made short work of Acasuso. Mantilla advanced to a second-round meeting with Kenneth Carlsen of Denmark, who rallied past of Brazil, 6-7 (7-9), 7-5, 6-4.
Acasuso was the only seed in action. The second seed is 2002 Wimbeldown finalist David Nalbandian of Argentina. American Vincent Spadea eliminated Anthony Dupuis of France, 6-3, 6-4, to earn a date with Nalbandian.
In a battle of Spaniards, David Ferrer ousted Alberto Martin, 6-3, 6-2. Ferrer could face Gonzalez.
Elsewhere, Dominik Hrbaty of Slovakia recorded a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Simon Rea of New Zealand and Fernando Vicente of Spain posted a 4-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-2 over Luis Horna of Peru.
