Today’s Men’s News (05/29) – Roland Garros

Written by: Staff on 29th May 2012

Today's Men's News (05/29) - Roland Garros

Rafael Nadal of Spain returns to Novak Djokovic of Serbia during their men's single final match at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 30 January 2012. EPA/HOW HWEE YOUNG |

Roland Garros

Singles – First Round: (2) R Nadal def. S Bolelli 6-2 6-2 6-1

Even with this win, Rafael Nadal is more than 500 points behind Roger Federer in the contest for #2. But, of course, he’s Rafael Nadal and this is Roland Garros. It may not matter much….

Singles – First Round: (4) A Murray def. T Ito 6-1 7-5 6-0

It looks as if Andy Murray’s back isn’t too troublesome right now….

Singles – First Round: (6) D Ferrer def. L Lacko 6-3 6-4 6-1

David Ferrer still trails Tomas Berdych in the contest for #6, but he’s keeping it close.

Singles – First Round: (8) J Tipsarevic def. S Querrey 2-6 6-4 7-6(7-3) 6-3

Janko Tipsarevic maintains his lead on Juan Martin del Potro in the contest for #8, but that won’t be settled any time soon.

Singles – First Round: (12) N Almagro def. P Lorenzi 6-3 7-5 6-4

Surprisingly, Nicolas Almagro wasn’t defending anything, so this is at least a slight help to him — although he remains only #13 in safe points.

Singles – First Round: (13) J Monaco def. G Rufin 6-2 2-6 6-2 7-6(7-3)

Juan Monaco is at #14 in safe points, and will almost certainly stay Top Fifteen — but it’s going to be hard for him to rise; there is a big gap below #13.

Singles – First Round: S Stakhovsky def. (16) A Dolgopolov 6-7(4-7) 6-4 7-6(7-4) 3-6 6-3

Now this is a shock, given the surface. There is a very real chance that this will cost Alexandr Dolgopolov his Top Twenty ranking, although it’s too early to be sure.

Singles – First Round: (17) R Gasquet def. J Zopp 6-3 6-4 7-6(7-4)

Richard Gasquet will need at least one more win to stay Top Twenty; we’d guess he’ll need two.

Singles – First Round: (27) M Youzhny def. J Blake 6-1 6-1 6-2

It’s a good thing John Isner won his opener; the Americans are going fast….

Singles – First Round: (29) J Benneteau def. M Zverev 6-2 6-7(3-7) 6-4 6-4

A pretty impressive result for Julien Benneteau, considering that he almost destroyed his shoulder a few weeks back. One more win would just about assure him a Top Thirty spot.

Singles – First Round: (32) F Mayer def. D Gimeno-Traver 6-4 6-2 6-3

Florian Mayer defends his points and is edging toward a return to the Top Thirty.

Singles – First Round: B Paire def. A Ramos 7-6(7-3) 6-4 6-7(5-7) 6-3

A disappointing ending to what had been, until now, a fine clay season for Albert Ramos. It will cost him his Top Forty ranking.

Singles – First Round: J Chardy def. Y Lu 6-4 6-1 6-7(3-7) 3-6 11-9

That’s the second 11-9 final set of the event. How many more can we manage?

Singles – First Round: T Haas def. F Volandri 6-3 0-6 6-4 6-4

This match had been interrupted by darkness the day before. Otherwise, we’d have thought beating Filippo Volandri on clay a significant testament to Tommy Haas’s stamina. As it is, we’ve no idea what it means.

Singles – First Round: D Tursunov def. G Soeda 6-1 6-4 6-4

Go Soeda isn’t really much of an opponent on clay, but it’s good to see Dmitry Tursunov actually winning in singles.

Singles – First Round: D Istomin def. I Kunitsyn 6-2 6-1 6-2

Any clay points at all are good news for Denis Istomin. He is just below the Top Forty; if he can win another match, he’ll likely rise above that mark.

Singles – First Round: L Rosol def. C Berlocq 6-4 7-5 6-7(6-8) 6-2

Carlos Berlocq’s strong start to the year seems to be fading. We’d guess he’ll fall about two spots.

Singles – First Round: G Dimitrov def. D Young 7-6(7-3) 6-1 6-1

This probably means no return to the Top Fifty for Donald Young. The ranks of the Americans are getting awfully thin around here.

Singles – First Round: R Haase def. I Dodig 6-2 6-2 6-1

Robin Haase defends his points but probably needs one more win to stay Top Forty.

Singles – First Round: M Baghdatis def. J Chela 6-3 6-3 6-1

Juan Ignacio Chela made the quarterfinal last year, so this is a truly major blow. He will fall to probably around #80. And with the clay season mostly over, too, so he’ll have a hard time rebuilding.

Singles – First Round: E Schwank def. I Karlovic 6-4 6-0 6-3

This is turning into a genuine singles comeback for Eduardo Schwank, at least on clay. He will probably rise to around #160.

Singles – First Round: J Nieminen def. I Andreev 3-6 6-2 2-1, retired

Jarkko Nieminen is already adding points, so this should clinch his Top Fifty ranking.