Today’s Men’s News (09/19) – St. Petersburg & Metz

Written by: Staff on 19th September 2012

Today's Men's News (09/19) - St. Petersburg & Metz |

St. Petersburg

Singles – First Round: L Kubot def. (2) D Istomin 4-6 6-3 6-4

It really does seem as if Denis Istomin is still suffering Davis Cup after effects. He will remain below #35.

Singles – First Round: (3) M Klizan def. (WC) M Elgin 6-4 6-3

Martin Klizan continues his steady climb. He is now only about fifty points away from the Top Forty, and he has room to add points.

Singles – First Round: (4) F Fognini def. T Kamke 4-6 6-2 6-3

After breaking a long losing streak earlier this year, Tobias Kamke seems to be starting another; this is his third loss in a row.

Singles – First Round: (8) J Zopp def. (Q) A Kumantsov 6-3 5-3 retired (Dizziness)

Considering that this was only his second ATP match (the first coming at Marseille last year), you’d think Andrey Kumantsov would have tried to finish it off….

Singles – First Round: P Lorenzi def. (Q) S Betov 1-6 6-2 6-2

It’s all unknowns around here… five players in the draw were ranked below #500. Sergey Betov was playing his first ATP match. He came in at #514; he will be improving a lot.

Singles – First Round: S Bolelli def. H Zeballos 7-6(7-3) 7-5

Horacio Zeballos obviously won’t be returning to the Top Hundred.

Singles – First Round: R Berankis def. P Petzschner 6-2 3-3 retired (Left Knee)

Probably no return to the Top Hundred for Philipp Petzschner, either.

Singles – First Round: (WC) T Gabashvili def. (Q) N Fidirko 6-2 6-0

Of all the new players around here, Nikolai Fidirko is the unknown-iest — he came in at #934. Just making it through qualifying more than doubles his points; he should rise above #750.

Singles – First Round: S Stakhovsky def. (LL) I Nedelko 7-6(7-2) 6-2

Believe it or not, Ivan Nedelko gives us yet another player ranked below #500. Nedelko — who last year was a wildcard here and is still looking for his first ATP win — replaced Igor Andreev, who pulled out due to the shoulder injury he suffered in Davis Cup.

Doubles – First Round: Kubot/Youzhny def. G Garcia-Lopez/H Zeballos 6-2 6-4

Doubles – First Round: Lacko/Zelenay def. (WC) Berankis/Gudozhnikov 6-1 6-1

Doubles – Quarterfinal: (1) Ram/Zimonjic def. Marx/Mergea 2-6 6-1 10-8

Metz

Singles – First Round: (5) A Seppi def. I Dodig 6-7(7-9) 6-3 6-4

Andreas Seppi has a shot at the Top 25 this week, but this doesn’t look very promising — he was already tired from Davis Cup, and now this….

Singles – First Round: J Levine def. C Stebe 6-3 6-2

Cedric-Marcel Stebe may have been a Davis Cup hero, but that was last week….

Singles – First Round: (LL) M Berrer def. J Hajek 6-4 2-0, retired (right wrist)

Not exactly an inspiring win, but Michael Berrer will surely take it; it’s his first ATP victory since Roland Garros.

Singles – First Round: G Muller def. (WC) P Mathieu 7-6(7-5) 6-4

Gilles Muller was defending semifinalist points, so he obviously wanted to do well here.