Today’s Men’s News (08/20)

Written by: Staff on 20th August 2012

Today's Men's News (08/20)

epa03281384 Ernests Gulbis of Latvia returns to Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic during their first round match for the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, in London, Britain, 25 June 2012. EPA/GERRY PENNY |

Winston-Salem

Singles – First Round: T Bellucci def. M Baghdatis 7-5 3-1, retired

The Great August Breakdown of Bodies continues….

Singles – First Round: (Q) S Stakhovsky def. G Muller 7-6(7-4) 6-4

Another Top Fifty chance gone for Gilles Muller.

Singles – First Round: (Q) E Gulbis def. C Berlocq 6-4 7-5

This might take Ernests Gulbis above #150. Yes, you read that right — he came here having fallen to #153. His slump is that bad. Not that Carlos Berlocq is doing all that much better — but he isn’t defending anything, so he will stay in the #45 range.

Singles – First Round: M Klizan def. B Paire 6-2 7-6(7-4)

There is a faint chance that this will cost Benoit Paire his Top Fifty spot. Certainly he won’t be climbing.

Singles – First Round: (Q) M McClune def. A Falla 6-1 6-4

Michael McClune came in ranked #303, so this represents a big win for him — he ought to rise above #300 while costing Alejandro Falla his Top Fifty chance.

Singles – First Round: .L Kubot def. T Robredo 6-1 2-6 6-2

This event is weak enough that it seemed like a chance for Tommy Robredo to finally earn some hardcourt points. Sadly, he’s going to remain in the #175 range.

Singles – First Round: D Young def. L Mayer 4-6 6-3 6-2

And, finally, after about half a year and seventeen defeats, Donald Young’s losing streak is over. Unfortunately, this is worth only ten points, so he’s going to stay right around #80. But, surely, Young will take it….

Singles – First Round: R Haase def. N Davydenko 6-2 6-3

These two came in ranked very close together — but Robin Haase had a lot more motivation. He has semifinal points to defend; Nikolay Davydenko had nothing that matters. This doesn’t help Haase at all, but at least he has the chance to add more points in later rounds.

Singles – First Round: Y Lu def. L Lacko 6-3 7-6(7-3)

A slight upset, but Lukas Lacko, after a fine start to the year, has been struggling lately.

Singles – First Round: (Q) B Becker def. T Ito 6-3 4-6 6-2

An interesting draw for Benjamin Becker: He faces Jarkko Nieminen next, and Nieminen has been struggling.

Singles – Second Round: (5) A Roddick def. (WC) J Blake 7-6(8-6) 7-6(8-6)

This was incredibly close — which is either good news for James Blake or bad news for Andy Roddick. But it leaves Blake still below #100.

Singles – Second Round: D Goffin def. (10) V Troicki 3-6 6-4 7-5

At least Viktor Troicki will be properly rested for the U. S. Open. But he won’t be rising above #30.

Doubles – First Round: S Gonzalez/Lipsky def. (3) Fleming/Hutchins 7-6(9-7) 7-6(7-3)

Despite the seedings, this is just what we would have expected on a hardcourt.

Doubles – First Round: Andujar/L Mayer def. Elgin/Istomin 6-4 6-4