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Singles – First Round: (1) R Federer def. N Mahut 6-4 6-4
This was tougher than most people probably expected, but Roger Federer got through in just over an hour — important if he is to win five matches in five days.
Singles – First Round: (2) T Berdych def. L Rosol 6-4 6-2
Any additional points Tomas Berdych earns here will count toward his ranking, but he can’t climb this week. On the other hand, a title would take him to within striking distance of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the contest for #6.
Singles – First Round: (3) J del Potro def. M Llodra 6-4 6-7(3-7) 6-4
Juan Martin del Potro needs only one more win to clinch the #10 ranking, but he needs a title to rise above that. Michael Llodra will fall to right around #50.
Singles – First Round: A Bogomolov Jr. def. S Stakhovsky 6-3 0-1, retired (viral illness)
Alex Bogomolov Jr. has really struggled as he has tried to make it to the Top Thirty. He still isn’t there, but an easy win can only help. He needs two more….
Singles – First Round: K Beck (Q) def. P Petzschner 7-6(8-6) 6-3
This plus his qualifying points ought to put Beck into the Top Hundred.
Singles – First Round: M Baghdatis def. M Bachinger 7-6(7-2) 6-2
Marcos Baghdatis defends his points. Any additional wins would move him very close to the Top Forty.
Singles – Second Round: (1) R Federer def. M Youzhny walkover (foot)
Now this really helps Federer’s cause — and leaves Mikhail Youzhny around #30.
Singles – Second Round: J Nieminen def. L Kubot 6-3 5-7 7-6(7-2)
Jarkko Nieminen is now just a few points below the Top Forty. One more win should put him in. On the other hand, that one win has to come against Federer. On the gripping hand, Federer seems to be rather vulnerable right now.
Singles – Second Round: N Davydenko def. P Mathieu (Q) 6-4 6-7(7-9) 6-1
It can take a long time for injured players to get their stamina back, and Nikolay Davydenko kept Paul-Henri Mathieu out there for two and a half hours. Still, this seems promising for Mathieu. As well as for Davydenko, who will probably gain a couple of ranking spots.
Doubles – First Round: Granollers/M Lopez def. (1) Mirnyi/Nestor 7-6(7-5) 7-5
Granollers and Lopez are very good doubles players — but the main reason for this is probably the jet lag Daniel Nestor suffered coming from Vancouver. This may not have been smart scheduling.
Doubles – First Round: (3) Lindstedt/Tecau def. Marach/Peya 6-1 7-5
The strength of this doubles draw is illustrated by the fact that Marach/Peya were unseeded. And, obviously, they paid for that.
Doubles – First Round: Qureshi/Rojer def. Gasquet/Ljubicic 7-6(7-4) 6-1
Doubles – First Round: Schoorel/Sijsling def. Nieminen/Troicki 1-6 7-5 10-8 (Match TB)
Doubles – First Round: de Bakker/Haase def. Fyrstenberg/Matkowski 7-6(7-2) 7-5
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Topics: Abn Amro World Tennis Tournament, Rotterdam