Today’s Men’s News (08/11)

Written by: Staff on 11th August 2012

Today's Men's News (08/11)

epa03052357 Mahesh Bhupathi (L) and Rohan Bopanna of India in action during their semi final match against Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram of Israel at the Chennai Open 2012 tennis tournament in Chennai, India, 07 January 2012. Erlich and Ram won 4-6, 6-3 and 10-8. EPA/NATHAN G |

Singles – Third Round: (1) N Djokovic def. S Querrey 6-4 6-4

This was delayed, once again, by rain (something which caused them to run singles matches on four different courts at once rather than concentrate on the main courts), but Novak Djokovic managed to get through and keep the #1 ranking within sight — if he wins both here and in Cincinnati. Sam Querrey at least made it into the Top Thirty — he appears sure to earn a U. S. Open seed.

Singles – Third Round: (14) R Gasquet def. (4) T Berdych 6-4 6-2

All the talk in the last day or so has been about Novak Djokovic and his troubles, but Tomas Berdych isn’t doing any too well either. He will once again remain stuck at #7. Richard Gasquet is pushing toward the Top Twenty, but this didn’t begin to settle the matter.

Singles – Third Round: (5) J Tipsarevic def. (10) M Cilic 6-2 6-4

We’ve wondered, given the delays and the jet lag, how hard some of the players here would play, but that is rarely a problem with Janko “I Play Everything” Tipsarevic. He still needs a lot more to regain the #8 ranking, though.

Singles – Third Round: (11) M Fish def. (7) J Monaco 2-6 6-1 6-4

Juan Monaco won’t rise above his current #10. Mardy Fish, who is defending finalist points, still needs a lot more to stay in the Top Fifteen, but this appears to assure his Top Twenty spot.

Singles – Third Round: (8) J Isner def. (12) P Kohlschreiber 6-7(4-7) 6-4 6-4

Philipp Kohlschreiber ends up at #16. John Isner still had the chance to rise — but this was an awfully long contest for a guy who still faced the possibility of three more matches in two days….

Singles – Third Round: T Haas def. R Stepanek 2-6 6-4 6-1

Tommy Haas’s stamina frankly is amazing, given his age. Of course, he’ll need all the stamina he can get, given the schedule here! This will likely take him to #23; Radek Stepanek will have to settle for around #37.

Singles – Third Round: M Granollers def. J Chardy 6-1 6-4

This effectively ends Jeremy Chardy’s U. S. Open seeding hopes; he’ll be around #38, and some 200 points away from a seed. But Marcel Granollers appears almost certain to pick up a Top 24 seed.

Singles – Quarterfinal: (1) N Djokovic def. T Haas 6-3 3-6 6-3

Even with this win, Novak Djokovic is 700 points behind Roger Federer, and that with the Cincinnati final to defend. But he keeps his hopes to return to #1 next week faintly alive.

Singles – Quarterfinal: (5) J Tipsarevic def. M Granollers 6-4 6-4

Once again Janko Tipsarevic’s endurance pays off. He was the first player into the semifinal, letting him defend his points and putting him one win away from regaining the #8 ranking. It looks as if Marcel Granollers will be #25.

Singles – Quarterfinal: (8) J Isner def. (16) M Raonic 7-6(11-9) 6-4

Impressive for John Isner, who after all was playing his second match of the day and faced a rested opponent. Milos Raonic will have to settle for #19; Isner is now one win away from a return to the Top Ten. And that one win won’t have to come against Djokovic; Isner is in the bottom half, so his next opponent is Richard Gasquet:

Singles – Quarterfinal: (14) R Gasquet def. (11) M Fish 5-7 6-1 6-2

Mardy Fish frankly picked a lousy time to run out of gas. Not only did he lose — bad enough, given that he was defending finalist points — but he lost to Richard Gasquet, letting Gasquet pass him in the rankings. Gasquet should rise to at least #16; Fish will fall to probably #20. And Fish says his ankle still isn’t 100%, although he doesn’t think it is affecting his performance.

Doubles – Second Round: (2) Bryan/Bryan def. Dodig/Melo 7-5 6-2

Doubles – Second Round: Hanley/Zimonjic def. (6) Bhupathi/Bopanna 6-4 7-6(8-6)

With the Olympics over, Bhupathi/Bopanna have lost one of their two reasons to play together. They still have one motivation: The chance for a spot at the London Championships. They came here at #7 in the Race, and it appears they will fall to no better than #8 — and #8 probably won’t get in this year, because Marray/Nielsen can expect the Grand Slam Wildcard. It looks as if Bhupathi/Bopanna are going to keep trying even so — but it’s hard to believe they will continue after this year.

Doubles – Quarterfinal: (2) Bryan/Bryan def. Hanley/Zimonjic 7-5 6-1

The Bryans needed just over an hour to finish this — obviously good news, considering that it was their second match of the day.

Doubles – Quarterfinal: (4) Lindstedt/Tecau def. (7) Qureshi/Rojer 6-4 3-6 10-7 (Match TB)

Qureshi/Rojer came in at co-#7 in the Race. And they earned more points than Bhupathi/Bopanna, so they should take sole possession of the #7 spot. But not by enough to feel at all comfortable.

Doubles – Quarterfinal: (5) Melzer/Paes def. (3) Fyrstenberg/Matkowski 7-6(7-5) 4-6 10-6 (Match TB)

Interesting that Leander Paes is playing with Jurgen Melzer here when Radek Stepanek is in the singles draw. Presumably Paes/Stepanek consider themselves clinched for London, giving Stepanek the chance to concentrate on singles.