LONDON, June 13 (UPI) -- Top-seeded Rafael Nadal, in his first grass-court action of the year, posted a straight-set victory Wednesday at the $900,000 Artois Championships in London.
Nadal has dominated play on clay courts, including winning his third consecutive French Open title Sunday. He appeared to make an easy transition to grass courts in a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Juan Martin del Potro. Nadal won 40 points in his 46 serves in the match.
Defending champion and sixth-seeded Lleyton Hewitt was upset Wednesday, getting ousted by qualifier Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (7-2).
In other second-round matches involving highly seeded players No. 3 Fernando Gonzalez defeated Janko Tipsarevic, 7-6 (9-7), 4-6, 7-6 (9-7); fourth-seeded Novak Djokovic beat Robert Kendrick, 3-6, 6-3, 6-3; and No. 7 Dmitry Tursunov ran by Frank Dancevic, 7-5, 6-1.
No. 11-seeded Jonas Bjorkman joined Hewitt in making an early exit as he was beaten 6-3, 6-7 (2-7), 6-3 by Nicolas Mahut.
Eighth-seeded Marat Safin was tied with Sebastien Grosjean, 3-6, 6-4, 4-4, when their match was suspended Wednesday. It is to be made up Thursday, when there will also be third-round matches.
