CHALLENGING CONDITIONS ON DAY ONE AT KOOYONG

Written by: Staff on 11th January 2012

CHALLENGING CONDITIONS ON DAY ONE AT KOOYONG

Mardy Fish of the USA in action against Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic during their session 8 men's singles match of the Hopman Cup tennis tournament in Perth, Australia, 04 January 2011. EPA/TONY MCDONOUGH AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT |

(Courtesy of AAMI Classic)

After a rain delay and in some of the windiest conditions ever experienced at Kooyong, play got under way on day one of the 2012 AAMI Classic around 1.00 pm. JO-WILFRIED TSONGA (FRA) was first-up against JURGEN MELZER (AUT). Melzer was too good for a jet-lagged Tsonga, winning 6/4 6/3. Tsonga had arrived late from his Doha victory and struggled with the prevailing winds. Melzer had a back injury last year causing him to drop in the rankings. “I’m feeling fine and have been practising five hours a day. I’m happy with the way it is” he said after the match.

In the second match of the day, Australia’s top ranked player, BERNARD TOMIC showed good form going into the Open by beating world no. 7 TOMAS BERDYCH (CZE) 4/6, 6/3 6/4. When asked how important it was to win these types of matches, Tomic said “Yeah. I mean, I like to win as much as I can. Even being in this tournament, this is one of the most serious exhibitions there is. I work on my things as well and you can only learn and get confidence if you win a few matches under your belt”.

MARDY FISH (USA) had an easy win over a weary MILOS RAONIC (CAN) – 6/1 6/2, who later withdrew from the event with an upset stomach. “It’s been a long time since I’ve really felt 100% healthy, which I do now. And now I just need the matches and I need to get going again” Fish said in his after-match media conference.

In the last match of the day GAEL MONFILS (FRA) defeated American ANDY RODDICK 7/6 (2) 7/6 (3) in an entertaining match which provided great preparation for the Australian Open for both players.

Tomorrow’s schedule starting at 11.00 am sees JO-WILFRIED TSONGA take on Japanese sensation, KEI NISHIKORI, who replaces MILOS RAONIC. BERNARD TOMIC meets GAEL MONFILS in the second match and ANDY RODDICK is up against TOMAS BERDYCH in the last match of the day.

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