ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (AP) — Second-seeded Mikhail Youzhny advanced to the second round of the St. Petersburg Open on Monday by rallying to beat fellow Russian Alsan Karatsev 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-2.
Youzhny, the 2004 champion, won four consecutive games in the second set and broke Karatsev twice in the third.
The 20th-ranked Youzhny is looking for his second title this season. He won his ninth career title in Gstaad, Switzerland, in June.
Earlier Monday, 17-year-old Russian wild card Karen Khachanov, who is making his debut on the ATP Tour, beat Romanian veteran Victor Hanescu 7-6 (4), 7-6 (4).
