Today’s Men’s News (08/07)

Written by: Staff on 7th August 2012

Today's Men's News (08/07)

epa03326370 Austria's Jurgen Melzer returns to Marin Cilic of Croatia during the London 2012 Olympic Games Tennis competition in Wimbledon, Greater London, Britain, 30 July 2012. EPA/ANDY RAIN |

Singles – First Round: S Querrey def. J Melzer 6-3 6-2

That U. S. Open seed is getting closer for Sam Querrey — he’s now just below the Top Thirty. But Jurgen Melzer will probably be around #37 — his odds of being seeded are looking very poor.

Singles – First Round: T Haas def. D Nalbandian 6-2 6-7(11-13) 6-3

David Nalbandian really does seem to be in decline; he is near the bottom of the Top Forty, and we would guess he’ll need a Cincinnati semifinal to earn a U. S. Open seed. But if he needs inspiration, he need only look at Tommy Haas, who is up to #24 in safe points.

Singles – First Round: R Stepanek def. A Dolgopolov 6-3 6-1

This was a contest of the last two champions at the event in Washington. The old champion, who was rested, beat the new…. Stepanek is still toward the bottom of the Top Forty; Dolgopolov might rise as high as #15, but that’s as high as he’ll go for now.

Singles – First Round: M Granollers def. (Q) S Stakhovsky 4-6 6-4 6-3

This may well suffice to put Marcel Granollers in the Top 25.

Singles – First Round: M Youzhny def. K Anderson 6-1 7-6(7-3)

A real blow to Kevin Anderson’s U. S. Open seeding hopes. He was defending third round points, so he will fall to around #35.

Singles – First Round: M Kukushkin def. (WC) F Dancevic 6-3 7-5

This was about as good a draw as Frank Dancevic could have hoped for here, but he couldn’t take advantage, meaning that he will almost certainly remain below #120.

Singles – First Round: (Q) F Fognini def. Y Lu 7-6(9-7) 5-7 7-6(7-5)

This took almost three hours — and it’s perhaps no surprise that it was close, given that the two are only four rankings spots apart. But it wasn’t an upset; Fognini was the higher-ranked. And it appears it will stay that way.

Singles – First Round: J Benneteau def. (Q) W Odesnik 6-4 6-4

Julien Benneteau’s Top Thirty spot is not yet guaranteed, but his chances look pretty good.

Singles – Second Round: (7) J Monaco def. (WC) V Pospisil 7-5 6-4

This makes Juan Monaco’s #10 ranking almost secure; the next closest player, John Isner, now needs a final to pass him.

Singles – Second Round: (11) M Fish def. (LL) M Ebden 6-2 6-0

A very, very important win for Mardy Fish, given that he was defending finalist points. Had he lost, he would have fallen below #20. As it is, he will probably stay close to that mark.

Singles – Second Round: (16) M Raonic def. V Troicki 6-3 6-4

A very efficient win for Milos Raonic, who never faced a break point. This might put him in the Top Twenty. Viktor Troicki will not rise above his current #33, so he will probably have to do well at Cincinnati to earn a U. S. Open seed.

Doubles – First Round: Chardy/Simon def. (WC) Bester/Shamasdin 6-4 4-6 13-11 (Match TB)

Doubles – First Round: Hanley/Zimonjic def. Berlocq/Nishikori 6-3 7-5