Haas makes impressive start to Memphis defence

MEMPHIS, Tennessee, Feb 21 (Reuters) Tommy Haas made an impressive start to his Memphis International title defence when he cruised past veteran American Vince Spadea 6-4 6-1 in the first round.

World number 68 Spadea beat Haas in Delray Beach three weeks ago but the German needed just 55 minutes to take his revenge yesterday.

After a cagey opening, second seed Haas broke in the fifth game and held on to take the first set.

The second set was all Haas as the world number nine dominated thanks largely to a superb serving effort -- he did not lose a single point on his own delivery.

In the second round, Haas will play Amer Delic, a 7-5 7-6 winner over fellow American Paul Goldstein.

A resurgent Mardy Fish was equally impressive in brushing aside German Bjorn Phau 6-3 6-2 in the first round.

The fourth-seeded American, who reached the Australian Open quarter-finals last month, broke once to win the first set and twice more in the second to seal his place in round two.

World number 25 Fish will play Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina, who hammered Spaniard Feliciano Lopez 6-1 6-2.

After two operations on his wrist in 2005, Fish stormed back up the rankings to end last year at 47th.

Having remodelled his forehand with his coach Todd Martin, his confidence is at an all-time high and a place in the top 10 this year is a real possibility.

''That's the goal,'' Fish told reporters. ''I am definitely playing the best tennis of my life.

''I used to feel that I could play with guys in the top 10 but now I almost feel like I should beat them. It's all about confidence and becoming more consistent.'' In other first-round action, Dane Kristian Pless beat Russian Igor Kunitsyn 6-3 6-1 to set up a possible clash with third-seeded Briton Andy Murray, who won last week's San Jose Open.

Murray takes on Canadian Frank Dancevic on Wednesday and top seed Andy Roddick opens his title bid against former Australian Open champion Thomas Johansson of Sweden.

REUTERS AY KN0946