UMAG, Croatia (AP) Defending champion Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain advanced to the second round of Croatia Open when Maximo Gonzalez retired with a back injury.
Ferrero lost the set before Gonzalez retired with the score 3-6, 6-3, 1-1 on Tuesday.
Ferrero, who is returning from wrist and knee injuries, will play third-seeded Croat Ivan Ljubicic on Wednesday.
Also Potito Starace of Italy defeated Thiemo De Bakker of the Netherlands 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-1, and Robin Haase of the Netherlands beat Simone Vagnozzi of Italy 3-6, 6-3, 6-1.