Monfils v Stepanek – German Open Update

Written by: Global Chick on 21st July 2011

Monfils v Stepanek - German Open Update

French tennis professional Gael Monfils returns to Czech player Radek Stepanek during their ATP tournament tennis match at Rothenbaum in Hamburg, Germany, 21 July 2011. EPA/ANGELIKA WARMUTH |

Flamboyant Frenchman Gael Monfils only needed 73 minutes to overcome qualifier Albert Ramos of Spain 6-4 6-2.

Top seed Monfils faced five break points but saved them all. “I think I played some great tennis. I played aggressive,”Monfils said.

Former World No. 8 Radek Stepanek will now face Gael Monfils after beating German wildcard Andreas Beck in two straight sets 6-1 7-5.

No. 7 seed Juan Ignacio Chela of Argentina fell against wildcard Tobias Kamke of Germany 6-1 6-4. Kamke’s next opponent is No. 12 seed Marin Cilic of Croatia. Cilic beat German qualifier Bastian Knittel 6-3 6-7 (4) 6-4.

World No. 12 and second seed Jurgen Melzer had to play three sets to get past Spain’s Daniel Gimeno-Traver 6-3 5-7 6-1. Jurgen Melzer’s third round opponent is No. 15 seed Fabio Fognini of Italy. The Italian took out Guillermo Olaso of Spain 6-1 7-5.

Ladies’ favourite Fernando Verdasco can look forward to playing Cedrik-Marcel Stebe another German wildcard in the third round. Stebe had a surprise win over No. 11 seed Nikolay Davydenko 6-3 7-6 (5)

Nicolas Almagro is up against Philipp Kohlschreiber in the third round. Kohlschreiber went through to the third round when his opponent Albert Montanes had to retire in the second set.

Argentinian Juan Monaco crushed the No. 9 seed Janko Tipsarevic 6-2 6-4. World No. 20 Florian Mayer needed 88 minutes to get past Turkish qualifier Marsel Ilhan 6-4 7-6 (5).

The No. 3 seeds in the doubles event Oliver Marach and Alexandr Peya of Austria are through to the semi-finals of the bet-at-home Open in Hamburg. The Austrian team had to fight hard to win against Gael Monfils and Gilles Simon, the match finished 6-3 6-7 (3) 10-5.