COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Feb. 26 (UPI) -- Magnus Norman picked up a rare victory Wednesday, edging eighth seed Raemon Sluiter of the Netherlands, 7-6 (7-4), 7-5, in the first round of the Copenhagen Open.
It was the second win of the season for Norman, a 26-year-old Swede who has been hampered by injuries the past two years. He had not won an ATP Tour match longer than a set since October.
"It feels nice to win again, especially against a player who is playing well at the moment," said Norman, who has six ATP titles. "I didn't play as well as I have done in practice. Hopefully, I will play even better tomorrow."
Norman finally is feeling healthy, having undergone hip surgery in August 2001 and left knee surgery in September and November 2002.
"It's great to be back on tour," he said. "I've missed all the things you hated before, like the airports, packing your bags, etc. I was a little scared of what would happen if my career had ended."
Sluiter was the runner-up last week at Rotterdam.
Also Wednesday, second seed Wayne Arthurs, the hard-serving Australian, advanced to the second round with a 7-6 (7-5), 6-2 victory over Olivier Mutis of France.
Arthurs' second-round opponent will be Swedish wild card Andreas Vinciguerra, who defeated American Brian Vahaly, 6-4, 6-4.
"He is tough to play," Vinciguerra said. "He has a good serve, which is tough to break. If I can return his serve, I have a good chance. I will do my best and play my game."
There were two other first-round matches with a pair of Americans bowing out. Local favorite Kristian Pless breezed past Cecil Mamiit, 6-2, 6-0, to set up a second-round meeting with Norman.
Also in the first round, Karol Beck of Slovakia eased past Justin Gimelstob, 6-4, 6-3.
There was one second-round match as Olivier Rochus buried Lars Burgsmuller of Germany, 6-1, 6-2.
