© Getty Images
Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga faced a challenging start in his first career appearance at the Sony Ericsson Open, but came back to defeat Austrian Jurgen Melzer 6-7(4), 7-5, 6-1 in second round action on Saturday in Miami.

Tsonga dropped serve just once in the opening set, and saved all three break point chances faced in the ensuing sets to prevail in two hours and three minutes.

"He played very well the two first sets," said Tsonga. "I was lucky to win the second set. In the third I was better also and it was the difference."

Watch ATP Masters Series TV: Tsonga (English) | (French)

The 22-year-old had entered the tournament ranked a career-high No. 12, rapidly making his way up the South African Airways ATP Rankings this season with a runner-up finish at the Australian Open, semifinals at Adelaide and fourth round last week in Indian Wells. Tsonga stands 151 Rankings points back of Czech Tomas Berdych at the No. 10 spot, and could gain up to 500 points over this next fortnight.

Earlier this week in Miami, Tsonga was named 2007 ATP Newcomer of the Year having climbed from a No.212 ranking in 2006 to No. 43 last year.

World No. 11 Mikhail Youzhny comfortably made his way into the third round, needing just 64 minutes to get by American qualifier Bobby Reynolds, 6-2, 6-2. He did not face a break point throughout the entire match, while breaking Reynold's serve four times in 11 chances.

It marks just the second time in six event appearances that Youzhny has not lost in his opening match in Miami. The Russian broke a four-match event losing streak in his second round opener last year by defeating compatriot Teimuraz Gabashvili, but bowed out in the next round.

Spanish No. 24 seed Nicolas Almagro, the winner of two clay court titles this season, rebounded from an opening round loss in Indian Wells by defeating Frenchman Arnaud Clement 6-2, 6-2. Another clay court specialist, 18th-seeded Argentine Juan Monaco, celebrated his 24th birthday with a 6-3, 7-5 win over American qualifier Ryan Sweeting. Afterwards, he was serenaded by the crowd with a Spanish rendition of "Happy Birthday."

Five more seeds fell in early Saturday action, adding to the exodus of top players a day earlier which counted No. 3 and defending champion Novak Djokovic, No. 7 David Nalbandian and No. 8 Richard Gasquet among the eliminated.

Frenchman Julien Benneteau denied Croat Ivo Karlovic his first career victory in Miami, outlasting the No. 19 seed 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(2). Karlovic, who was making his fifth event appearance, also lost in a third set tie-break last year and in 2005.

Israeli Dudi Sela dismissed No. 14 Tommy Robredo 7-6(5), 6-1; Italian Simone Bolelli got by No. 26 Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-4, 6-3; Serb Janko Tipsarevic (pictured) ousted No. 29 Fernando Verdasco 6-4, 7-6(4); and Czech qualifier Ivo Minar prevailed 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 over No. 30 Juan Ignacio Chela.

Friday: Qualifier Anderson Upsets Defending Champ Djokovic
Friday: Nadal Advances to Third Round
Thursday: Monfils Rallies to Defeat Isner
Thursday: Reynolds Upsets Safin; Russian Struggles Continue
Wednesday: Querrey Advances Along With Teenagers Cilic, del Potro
Wednesday: Fans Favorite Kuerten Falls in Opener