Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic advanced to the third round of the Madrid Masters on Wednesday after Victor Hanescu of Romania retired due to an apparent groin injury while trailing 6-7 (8), 7-6 (8), 3-1.
Hanescu won the first-set tiebreaker on his third set point when Djokovic hit a forehand long.
Hanescu saved a set point in the second set by hitting a powerful forehand to catch the third-ranked Djokovic going the wrong way in the 12th game.
The 1.98-meter Hanescu trailed 4-1 in the ensuing tiebreaker before leveling at 5-5. But Djokovic finally evened the match on his second set point with a backhand shot.
American qualifier Robby Ginepri scored the day's first upset by beating fifth-ranked Nikolay Davydenko 4-6, 6-4, 6-4.
Top-ranked Rafael Nadal pulled out of doubles play with Carlos Moya on Tuesday due to a slight upper leg injury.
David Nalbandian won his sixth straight match by defeating Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic 6-2, 6-7 (5), 6-1.
Australian Open finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga advanced after rallying to beat Spanish qualifier Marcel Granollers 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (5).
Tsonga will next face either second-ranked Roger Federer or Radek Stepanek, who play later Wednesday.
(Xinhua News Agency October 16, 2008)