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 When fully fit, the top-seeded Haas can still compete with the
very best on the tour and he confirmed his form and fitness against
America's Wayne Odesnik, needing just 55 minutes to reel off a 6-2
6-1 victory at the Las Vegas event.
"With injuries, I lost probably three or four years of my career,"
Haas, ranked 12th in the world, told reporters.
"I always felt I wanted to end this on my terms, like when the mind
is not there anymore or physically I can't do it anymore. I just
want to continue and enjoy."
Haas, who once rose as high as number two in the world, never faced
a break point during his lopsided win and is looking to win the
tournament for the first time since 2006.
On a day when veterans were keen to impose themselves, former world
number one Lleyton Hewitt was equally as impressive in his 6-3 6-1
demolition of another unseeded American, Bradley Klahn.
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The 32-year-old Australian, who captured this title back in 1999,
would have been delighted with his display, particularly as the
eighth seed's compatriot and golf legend Greg Norman was one of the
spectators.
The younger seeded players in the draw had a much tougher time
advancing, however, including John Isner, who rallied from a set
down to edge fellow American Michael Russell 4-6 7-6 6-4.
Isner, seeded two, needed every one of his 20 aces to prevail and
was unable to crack Russell's serve in the first two sets before
breaking his opponent twice in the decisive third.
Kei Nishikori and Kevin Anderson, the third and fourth seeds
respectively, also needed a full three sets to eke out wins.
Japan's Nishikori outlasted Portugal's Gastao Elias 6-1 5-7 6-2
while South Africa's Anderson rallied past American Tim Smyczek 4-6
6-1 6-3.
(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles;
editing by John O'Brien)
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