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Torrential rain washed out most of the first-round matches at
the Japan Open on Monday night, but did little to dampen the
spirits of local teenager Ayumi Morita.
The world No. 136 beat 53rd-ranked Marina Erakovic of New Zealand
6-1 6-4 after the roof was closed over centre court as the
downpours worsened in Tokyo.
"She made a lot of mistakes," said 18-year-old Morita, who also
beat Erakovic in the first round of last month's Beijing
Olympics.
"It feels good to get my first career win at the Japan Open."
World number five David Ferrer of Spain, American number eight Andy
Roddick and Chile's 11th-ranked Fernando Gonzalez head the
$US794,000 men's draw.
Former US Open champion Roddick won the China Open at the weekend
while France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, the runner-up at this year's
Australian Open, won his maiden tour title in Bangkok.
Japan's top player, 18-year-old Kei Nishikori, who in February
became the first player from his country to win an ATP Tour title
in 16 years, is also playing this week.
Former Japanese number one Takao Suzuki, who pushed Roger Federer
to the brink of a shock elimination in 2006, progressed with a 6-3
7-6 win over compatriot Yuichi Sugita.
In other women's matches completed on Monday, fifth-seeded Estonian
Kaia Kanepi beat Czech Lucie Safarova 4-6 6-3 6-4 while Poland's
Marta Domachowska ousted Japan's Ai Nakamura 6-4 7-5.
