Hanescu advances in Nice

Victor Hanescu of Romania eased into the second round of the Open de Nice with a 6-0, 6-1 win over French qualifier Benoit Paire on Monday.

Hanescu, a semifinalist in Casablanca last month, broke his opponent five times and saved the six break points he faced to close out the match in just 54 minutes.

The French Open starts Sunday at Roland Garros.

Pere Riba advanced by beating Guillaume Ruffin of France 6-2, 6-2. The Spaniard, who dropped only five points on first serve, next plays fifth-seeded Alexandr Dogolpolov of Ukraine.

Pablo Andujar of Spain was leading 5-0 when Grigor Dimitrov retired ill. Andujar won his first ATP title in Casablanca.

Andujar was joined in the second round by Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan, who beat Olivier Rochus of Belgium 6-2, 7-6 (5) for his first victory on the ATP Tour since March.

Andreas Seppi of Italy rallied to beat French wild card Edouard Roger-Vasselin 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.