STOCKHOLM Second seed Yevgeny Kafelnikov swept past Swiss George Bastl to reach the second round of Stockholm Open with a 6-2 6-2 victory in 51 minutes on Monday.
Kafelnikov broke Bastl's serve three times to seal the first set after 25 minutes with a hard forehand. In the second set the Russian raced to 4-1 up and never looked back.
"I played as well as I needed today and I'm looking forward to being back on the court later this week," said Kafelnikov, one of the eight qualified for next week's Masters' Cup in Lisbon.
Kafelnikov, playing in Stockholm for the first time in six years, faces wildcard entrant Swede Jonas Froberg in the second round.
Froberg, 19, ranked 32 in Sweden, grabbed a surprise win in his first appearance on the ATP Tour by knocking out Byron Black of Zimbabwe 3-6 6-3 6-4.
"I got my chance when I had my first break early in the second set, then I felt I could win," said Froberg, helped by a strong forehand.
Seventh-seeded Roger Federer of Switzerland had to battle hard before eliminating Russia's Mikhail Youzhny 5-7 6-4 6-3.
(Reuter)