Singles – First Round: (1) J Isner def. (WC) J Levine 6-4 7-6(17-15)
OK, so John Isner couldn’t set a record for longest match. At least he could make a try for a tiebreak record…. It’s no help to his ranking, naturally.
Singles – First Round: J Nieminen def. (2) M Cilic 6-3 3-6 6-2
This was Marin Cilic’s first match back, plus he faced a tenacious defender. On the whole, not too bad. But it appears to end his chances for a return to the Top Twenty.
Singles – First Round: S Darcis def. (3) V Troicki 6-4 4-6 6-4
Viktor Troicki has a lot less excuse than Marin Cilic for his loss, but the effect is the same: No chance for the Top Twenty.
Singles – First Round: (4) A Roddick def. P Petzschner 4-6 6-4 6-1
Andy Roddick’s struggles have left him with a lot of slots in which to put points — but not even he can gain any benefit from second round points at a 250 point event. He needs a semifinal here. But at least he finally won a match, and against a pretty good opponent. Maybe it means things are finally coming around for him.
Singles – First Round: (5) P Kohlschreiber def. O Rochus 6-1 6-4
Not enough points yet to matter to Kohlschreiber, but he costs Olivier Rochus his chance for a Top Fifty return.
Singles – First Round: (6) A Bogomolov Jr. def. M Yani (Q) 6-3 6-1
Because this is a 250 point event, it’s going to be hard for Alex Bogomolov Jr. to make a major rankings move here. So, naturally, he starts winning.
Singles – First Round: (7) K Anderson def. A Krajicek (Q) 6-1 6-4
Kevin Anderson needs two more wins here to count toward his ranking, so it’s going to be hard for him to move. On the other hand, the draw is opening up….
Singles – First Round: T Smyczek (Q) def. J Melzer 6-4 2-6 7-5
Jurgen Melzer had only two days to recover from winning Memphis, plus he has that broken toe. That is surely the primary explanation for this. Not that it matters much; he wasn’t likely to climb here.
Singles – First Round: E Gulbis def. A Falla 6-4 6-1
This was the site of Ernests Gulbis’s first title, so little surprise that he is happy to be playing here!
Singles – First Round: X Malisse def. G Garcia-Lopez 7-6(7-3) 6-3
Guillermo Garcia-Lopez is down to #93. At this rate, he won’t be Top Hundred much longer.
Singles – First Round: I Dodig def. M Bachinger 4-6 6-4 6-4
Ivan Dodig’s results seem to have picked up since he fell out of the Top Fifty. Evidently he just needed a little motivation….
Singles – First Round: M Matosevic (Q) def. I Karlovic 6-3 6-4
Something seems to have been wrong with Ivo Karlovic, who had only six aces. As a result, he will remain below #40.
Doubles – First Round: (3) Fleming/Hutchins def. Sweeting/Tomic 6-4 7-5
Doubles – First Round: Farah/Huey def. (WC) Levine/Reynolds 6-4 7-6(8-6)
© “DAILY TENNIS NEWS WIRE”
Topics: Andy Riddick, John Isner