General / Editor / 21 February 2007 /

Tommy Haas served notice of his intention to successfully defend his title with a comfortable straight sets victory over Vince Spadea in the first round of the Morgan Keegan Championships in Memphis.

The German was in fine form as he cruised through against his American opponent, who had beaten him at the Delray Beach event three weeks ago, winning 6-4 6-1 in less than an hour.

The world number nine's serve proved to be the biggest difference between the two as Spadea had no answer, particularly in the second set when he failed to win a single point on the German's service.

Haas was delighted to have got his tournament off to a fine start but is confident he will get better as the event, and the season, progresses.

"I think I served pretty well," said the number two seed. "I served better in the second set than the first, but I am pleased with my start. After the first set I felt pretty comfortable out there.

"I think I am improving. I want to stay healthy and do well in the Masters Series events.

"The Australian Open also helped me get closer to my goal - I would love to win a grand-slam title eventually. That's why I still play the game."

The 26-year-old - a semi-finalist at Melbourne Park - now takes on Amer Delic, a first-round straight sets winner over Paul Goldstein, for a place in the quarter-finals.

Haas is available at 4.3 to lift the trophy on Sunday and his task has been made easier by the fact that fifth seed Xavier Malisse, in his half of the draw, has already been knocked out.

Andy Roddick (3.15) and Andy Murray (4.1) are still ahead in the outright winner market but they are scheduled to meet in the semi-finals in the top-half of the draw.

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