How ironic that the weapon that had served Todd Martin so well was the thing most responsible for his exit from the XL Capital Bermuda Open.

In his previous match against Noam Okun of Israel, the Florida-based player had championed his serve and yesterday, at least for half of the two hour, 44 minute 2-6, 7-6(5), 7-5 contest against Zeljko Krajan of Croatia, it looked as immaculate as ever.

He won all four service games in the opening set on Coral Beach's Centre Court and broke Krajan twice into the bargain.

In the second, he was 4-1 up and the Croat looked on the verge of going out, needing to hold his own serve in the sixth game or face the threat of Martin serving for the match.

Krajan did just that and then staged a terrific comeback as errors began to creep into Martin's play.

Taking the second set on a tiebreak, Krajan began to impose himself, and although the third was not memorable for either player in terms of the skill factor, it was in terms of the result, Martin's demise symbolised by a break of that previously dominant right hand.

"I played really well from the beginning and, at a set and 4-1, I really don't think he felt like he was too in it," said Martin afterwards. "Then you play a loose point or two and he hits a couple of good shots and it's just enough of a hint to get him to keep out there."

The eight time singles title holder said the third set was a "comedy of errors".

"We both tried to let the other one win and I was more successful at that," he said with a rye smile.

"I don't know whether it was nerves so much. It was probably a little bit of fatigue and more mental than anything else."

Addressing his serve, Martin said he started to struggle with it as Krajan started to find ways past it.

"It usually goes hand in hand," he said. "He started to return better and I tried to serve too well then.

"At the beginning I was just letting it happen and at the end I was really forcing it, and I, more than anybody else, don't serve well when I force it."

In contrast to Martin's superb start and late capitulation, the analysis of Krajan's game was the complete opposite.

"I started very bad," he said. "I was 4-1 down and I didn't know what to do. I was not feeling the ball good, I was playing very short, giving him all the chances to make the easy winners and making a lot of mistakes."

Krajan said it was just a case of "hanging in there" as the match progressed into the second set.

"At 4-2 when I made a break I was really starting to get in the match. Before I was not on the court," he said, adding the result and the manner in which it was achieved gave him great confidence going forward.

"Of course it gives me confidence to come back from 6-2 and 4-1 and beat a guy like Todd Martin," he said.

Reigning champion and world number 78 Flavio Saretta also progressed into the third round, overcoming Paul Goldstein of the USA in two sets, 6-4, 6-3.

"I played very well, better than yesterday (Tuesday)," he said. "Then it was my first round and I was a little bit nervous in the first set, being the defending champion.

"(Today) I think I played much better. I was more confident and I served well - I think I did everything well."

The Brazilian said there was still more left in his arsenal.

"You get much more confident and you play better and better and better.

"I came here thinking I could win again," he said, adding with a grin. "This time I am with my coach, not with my girlfriend, so I am little bit more focused."

Goldstein said he had come up against a very difficult opponent who he just could not overcome, despite a decent performance on his behalf.

"I felt I played a lot of good tennis," he said. "Flavio, especially on the clay and in the heavy conditions, is much stronger physically than I am. I felt like I was having to work very hard to play my best tennis.

"Though I put together some great points and, for me, played some really strong tennis, I wasn't able to do that consistently enough. I think it's a little more natural and more easy for him to play big and play heavy."

One man certainly worth keeping an eye on is German, Bjorn Phau, a two set, 7-6(5), 6-1, winner over Ricardo Mello of Brazil.

He is showing good form and put together some fine tennis away from the Centre Court gaze.

"I had to fight a lot for the first set," he said. "Fortunately, I broke him at 6-5 and closed the set.

"Afterwards I converted my chances very well and the second set was better."

Phau said he knew he was in for "a tough match, against a very tough player".

"(Because of that) I was surprised that the second set was so easy," he said.