Moya overcomes electric Voltchkov

But then, top seeded Moya had just enough in the reserve tank to pull off a 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, win, and advance to the second round.

Earlier, Karol Kucera of Slovakia, the No 10 ranked second seed, took early terrors in his stride to post a comfortable 7-5, 6-1, win against 126-ranked Michael Kohlmann of Germany.

One could only commiserate with Voltchkov if only for the fact that he all but won himself a birthday gift. Displaying some beautiful touchtennis, Voltchkov, ranked 128, pulled Moya from side to side with a series of well-directed returns, apart from executing delicate volleys that had the Spaniard on the run.

However, Moya, struggling to get his game together, played the big points better and, eventually, it made the difference. Vlotchkov, who squandered several breakpoints in the decider, had not much left at the finish while Moya raised his game when it counted most.

The match was off to a sensational start with both Voltchkov and Moya dropping their opening service games. It was clear at this stage itself that the Spaniard, who has every chance of regaining his world No 1 ranking by reaching the semifinals, would have to put in his best to subjugate the Belarussian.

With the games going with serves thereafter, a tie-break looked imminent until Voltchkov, leading 5-4, broke Moya in the 10th game. Voltchkov won himself two set points with a brilliant return of serve and then took the set when Moya hit long a simple putaway at thenet.

The second set was a virtual repeat with neither player holding serve in the opening two games before Moya made the crucial breaks in the seventh and ninth games to force the decider. From then on, it looked to be anybody8217;s match and the tension seemed to get the better of both players. Moya dropped served in the third game with two double-faults, but came back to break Voltchkov in the next for 2-2.

Thereafter, Moya went for broke with virtually every shot and a service break in the eighth had the Spaniard serving for the match which he went on to take.

Given the fact that Moya8217;s form since the Indian Wells tournament when he took the No 1 spot from Pete Sampras, has been anything but impressive, today8217;s showing was par for the course. Moya made an early exit in the Lipton tournament the following week and then lost his crucial Davis Cup fourth singles against Brazil in Barcelona that cost his country the rubber.

In the earlier match, Kucera took time to settle down to the bounce and pace of thecourt that had the Slovak, up by a break, dropping serve at 5-4 in the first set. However, he recovered to break Kohlmann in the 11th and then hold serve for the set.

Kucera was at his brilliant best in the second set which he pocketed with a six-game streak as he moved from 0-1 to 6-1, in double-quick time.

On the outside court, Wayne Black of Zimbabwe put out Paul Goldstein of the United States 7-6 6, 6-1, to set up a second round meeting with Moya.

Other results: Doubles 1st round:

Jens Knippschild/Mikael Tillstrom bt Jeff Coetzee/Myles Wakefield 6-4, 7-5.