Top seed Juan Martin del Potro won his 2012 season opener on Wednesday, beating Lukasz 6-4, 6-2 in one hour and 36 minutes at the Apia International in Sydney. The Argentine saved all four break points he faced, and broke Kubot three times to advance to the quarter-finals.

"[They were] really tough conditions for both of us," said del Potro. "But I was just focussed on my serve in the first set, and then tried to take a little opportunity, because it was really difficult to play long rallies, to feel the ball like I wanted."

In doubles play, Lukasz and his doubles partner Marcel Granollers were ousted in the first round by Colin Fleming and Ross Hutchins, 6-3 6-3.

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