Behrend upsets Moya

Moya latest Spaniard to fall at Mercedes Cup

STUTTGART, Germany (Reuters) -- Brazilian-born German Tomas Behrend delighted home fans with a surprise 7-6, 7-6 victory over top seed Carlos Moya in the second round of the Mercedes Cup on Wednesday.

Moya, given a bye in the first round of the claycourt tournament, was the latest Spanish baseliner to fall, following defeats for Albert Costa and Felix Mantilla on Tuesday.

The 28-year-old Behrend held his nerve when it mattered to record his second victory over a former world No. 1 player this year after beating Chilean Marcelo Rios at the World Team Cup in May.

Behrend goes on to play hard-hitting Max Mirnyi of Belarus for a place in the quarterfinals of the 765,000 euro (about $860,000 USD) event.

Wimbledon semi-finalist Sebastien Grosjean also made an early exit on Wednesday when he was swept aside 6-2, 6-1 by Italian Filippo Volandri in his opening match.

The fourth-seeded Frenchman struggled to switch back to the slow surface after reaching the last four earlier this month at the All England Club, where he fell to eventual runner-up Mark Philippoussis.

 

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