Tennis: Trio of Israelis make first round in Moscow

Harel Levy and Noam Okun win third round qualifiers at $1 million Kremlin Cup in Moscow on Monday to reach the first round proper, joining Dudi Sela.

By ALLON SINAI
Dudi Sela 298.88 (photo credit: AP)
Dudi Sela 298.88
(photo credit: AP)
For the first time in a decade three Israelis will compete in the first round of an ATP tour event. Harel Levy (194 in the world) and Noam Okun (521) won their respected third round qualifiers at the $1 million Kremlin Cup in Moscow on Monday to reach the first round proper, joining Dudi Sela (70). The trio were all part of Israel's successful Davis Cup team which triumphantly defeated Peru in a World Group playoff earlier this month. The last time Israel had three representatives in an ATP tournament was in Uzbekistan in 1998 when Levy, Eyal Ran and Nir Welgreen all reached the main draw of the event. On Monday, Levy defeated Michail Elgin of Russia 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 and he will face world No. 52 Julien Benneteau in the first round. Okun beat Valery Rudnev 6-3, 6-4 and plays former world No. 1 Marat Safin (40) in his next match. Sela faces Romanian Victor Hanescu (72) in his first round match.