Former New Haven champ Blake logs win

NEW HAVEN, Conn., Aug. 23 (UPI) -- Two-time champion James Blake eased to a first-round win Monday at the Pilot Pen Tennis event in New Haven, Conn.

Blake, who won the event in 2005 and 2007, quickly dispatched Spaniard Pere Riba 6-0, 6-1 Monday.

Blake, 30, has missed two months of the ATP Tour season with a knee injury, and as a result has fallen to No. 111 in the world rankings.

Also logging a first-round win was fellow American Taylor Dent, who had to go to three sets to overcome Argentine Eduardo Schwank 7-6 (7-1) 4-6, 6-0. Dent improved to 9-15 this year.

Radek Stepanek advanced to the second round with a 6-0, 6-4 thumping of Uruguay's Pablo Cuevas and American Donald Young handled France's Stephane Robert 6-1, 6-2.