Simon survives Andreev in Madrid, faces Blake next

MADRID, Spain -- Gilles Simon saved four match points and beat Igor Andreev 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7) in the first round of the Madrid Masters on Monday.

Simon saved fought off all four while serving at 4-5 in the third set. Then the three-time title winner on tour this year came back from a 3-5 deficit in the tiebreaker and advanced to a matchup with 11th-seeded James Blake.

Former top-5 player Tommy Robredo held off Andreas Seppi 7-6 (5), 3-6, 6-3 in 2 hours, 19 minutes. Robredo managed a decisive break point in the sixth game of the final set when Seppi slapped a forehand into the net. He next plays eighth-seeded Andy Roddick.

Tomas Berdych eased past Rainer Schuettler 6-1, 6-2, while Marian Cilic beat qualifier Olivier Rochus 6-3, 7-5.

Mardy Fish hit 13 aces to beat Steve Darcis in his first match since he got married two weeks ago. Fish converted all four of his break points against Darcis to play Richard Gasquet next.

Lucky loser Simone Bolelli also advanced, beating Nicolas Almagro 7-6 (4), 6-1. Bolelli, who was entered only after former champion Marat Safin withdrew with a shoulder injury, will next face U.S. Open finalist Andy Murray.

Top-ranked Rafael Nadal, who won in Madrid three years ago and was looking for his fourth Masters title of the season, will play Ernests Gulbis on Tuesday. Roger Federer opens against Radek Stapenek on Wednesday.