Today’s Men’s News (08/13)

Written by: Staff on 13th August 2012

Today's Men's News (08/13)

epa03313415 Croatia's Marin Cilic in action against Germany's Tommy Haas during their semi final match at the ATP World Tour 500 tournament at Rothenbaum in Hamburg, Germany, 21 July 2012. EPA/ANGELIKA WARMUTH |

Cincinnati

Singles – First Round: (12) M Cilic def. (Q) S Stakhovsky 6-3 4-6 6-4

Marin Cilic doesn’t have much chance of reaching #12 this week. But he currently leads in the contest for #13. And there are so many top players injured that #13 just might earn him a Top Twelve U. S. Open seed. So this win, which moved him ahead of Richard Gasquet in safe points, just might prove big.

Singles – First Round: N Davydenko def. (13) A Dolgopolov 6-1 6-1

Alexandr Dolgopolov wasn’t defending anything, but this ends his hopes for a Top Twelve U. S. Open seed, and might even cost him his Top Sixteen seed.

Singles – First Round: (WC) B Baker def. (15) P Kohlschreiber 7-6(9-7) 7-6(7-3)

After a few bad weeks, it looks as if Brian Baker is back. This just might cost Philipp Kohlschreiber his Top Twenty ranking; it will surely cost him his Top Sixteen U. S. Open seed.

Singles – First Round: (Q) Y Lu def. L Kubot 6-3 6-0

Not really much of an upset — Yen-Hsun Lu came in ranked just two places behind Lukasz Kubot. That is likely to revere after this.

Singles – First Round: V Troicki def. (Q) I Dodig 6-4 7-5

One more win would likely put Viktor Troicki back in the Top Thirty. As it is, he makes it likely, although not yet certain, that he will earn a U. S. Open seed.

Singles – First Round: D Istomin def. J Benneteau 6-3 6-1

This was a battle for a U. S. Open seed. Had Julien Benneteau won, he would have effectively clinched. Instead, he is now in some danger. Denis Istomin still hasn’t clinched — in fact, he’s still behind Benneteau — but this keeps him within striking distance. Had he lost, he would have been out.

Singles – First Round: P Andujar def. (Q) M Matosevic 6-4 6-3

This pretty well guarantees Pablo Andujar’s Top Forty ranking; he still has a slight chance for a U. S. Open seed.

Singles – First Round: (Q) J Levine def. D Young 6-4 7-6(7-2)

Another contest without much of a rankings gap — Jesse Levine came in at #88, Donald Young at #80. Expect them to reverse places.

Singles – First Round: F Mayer def. (Q) F Fognini 7-5 6-2

This all but assures Florian Mayer’s Top 24 seed; two more wins might make him Top Twenty.

Singles – First Round: A Seppi def. R Haase 6-4 6-4

Robin Haase blows his chance to hit the Top Forty — and, of course, his chance for a U. S. Open seed.

Singles – First Round: S Wawrinka def. (Q) P Mathieu 6-2 3-6 6-1

Stanislas Wawrinka improves his chances of reaching the Top 25 — but he needs at least two more wins to get to #24 and a Top 24 U. S. Open seed.

Doubles – First Round: Haase/Monaco def. Anderson/Butorac 6-4 3-6 10-6 (Match TB)

Truly a tough week for Kevin Anderson. And a real surprise; Haase/Monaco don’t seem like they would be an effective doubles team on hardcourt.