Squillari and Meligeni progress in BMW Open

Franco Squillari of Argentina, the defending champion, cruised into the third round of the $400,000 BMW Open in Munich, Germany today by crushing Martin Damm of the Czech Republic 6-2, 6-2.

"I really feel good in Munich," Squillari said after his quick victory.

Including last year's run to the title, the Argentine left-hander now has a 7-0 winning streak on Munich's red clay.

"I've been playing well the whole week. Everything feels just fine," said the seventh-seeded Squillari, who blasted a service winner on his first match point.

Fernando Meligeni of Brazil also advanced to the third round but he needed three sets to outlast Gaston Etlis, a qualifier from Argentina.

Meligeni, seeded No. 6, prevailed 7-5, 3-6, 6-4.

Max Myrnyi of Belarus gained the quickest victory of the day by routing Hernan Gumy of Argentina 6-3, 6-0.

Rain then hit the Bavarian capital and halted play for the day, with Richard Fromberg of Australia one set up against second-seeded Younes el Aynaoui of Morocco.

Results from the $400,000 BMW Open ATP tennis tournament (seedings in parentheses):

Second Round

Max Mirnyi (Bela) def. Hernan Gumy (Arg) 6-3, 6-0. (7) Franco Squillari (Arg) def. Martin Damm (Cz Rep) 6-2, 6-2. (6) Fernando Meligeni (Br) def. Gaston Etlis, Argentina, 7-5, 3-6, 6-4. Richard Fromberg (Aus) leads (2) Younes El Aynaoui (Mor) 7-6, 3-4, halted by rain.