Britain's Martin Lee beat second seed Wayne Arthurs in the first round of the Hall of Fame Championships in Rhode Island.

Lee, who was a surprise finalist last year, lost the first set to the Australian but recovered to win 3-6 7-5 6-2.

Arthurs started with an overpowering serve and steady volley game on the grass but he could not maintain the form and double-faulted nine times in the final two sets.

Top-seed James Blake overcame his customary slow start to record a 6-4 7-5 win over Gabriel Trifu of Romania.

The American is trying to become the first number one to win the title in the tournament's 26 years.

Blake was broken in the first game of the match but broke back in the sixth and 10th games, winning the first set when Trifu double faulted.

Third-seeded Julian Knowle of Austria advanced by downing Martin Vassallo Arguello of Argentina 6-2 6-2.

Thomas Blake, James' older brother and a wild-card entrant, defeated Alex Kim of the United States 5-7 6-4 7-5.

Tuesday's results from Newport, Rhode Island

Mardy Fish (USA) bt Yves Allegro (Swi) 6-3 7-6
Martin Lee (Gbr) bt Wayne Arthurs (Aus x2) 3-6 7-5 6-2
Julian Knowle (Aut x3) bt Martin Vassallo Arguello (Arg) 6-2 6-2
Michael Kohlmann (Ger) bt Alexandre Simoni (Bra) 6-2 6-2
Justin Gimelstob (USA) bt Ben Ellwood (Aus) 6-2 0-6 6-3
Noam Okun (Isr) bt Adam Kennedy (Aus) 6-2 7-6
Jonathan Erlich (Isr) bt Jurgen Melzer (Aut x8) 7-5 6-4
James Blake (USA x1) bt Gabriel Trifu (Rom) 6-4 7-5 Back to top