Today’s Men’s News (09/26)

Written by: Staff on 26th September 2012

Today's Men's News (09/26)

epa03218736 French tennis player Gael Monfils returns the ball to Russian Alex Bogomolov in their match at the Italian Open Tennis Tournament (ATP World Tour), at the Foro Italico in Rome, Italy, 14 May 2012. EPA/CLAUDIO ONORATI |

Bangkok

Singles – First Round: G Soeda def. (WC) D Udomchoke 6-4 7-5

This won’t by itself put Go Soeda back in the Top Fifty, but it’s a nice start.

Singles – First Round: G Monfils def. (Q) K Anderson 6-4 2-6 7-5

You read that right: Kevin Anderson — who would have been seeded had he signed up here in time — played qualifying. And, presumably, tired himself out. He’ll remain around #35. Nor does the win help Gael Monfils — as we mentioned last week, he has few required events bug an abundance of optional events. So he needs a final here to do him any good.

Singles – First Round: I Karlovic def. M Matosevic 6-3 6-4

Believe it or not, based on current rankings, this is a substantial upset — Karlovic came in #90, Matosevic #57. Obviously Matosevic won’t be making the Top Fifty just now.

Singles – Second Round: (1) J Tipsarevic def. (Q) H Moriya 6-4 6-4

Like Gael Monfils, Janko Tipsarevic is oversupplied with optional events. He needs a title to make any difference.

Singles – First Round: (7) J Nieminen def. P Petzschner 7-6(7-1) 6-2

For the second straight round, Jarkko Nieminen, who was hurting last week, faced an opponent battling his own physical problems. That’s likely to gain Nieminen a ranking spot.

Doubles – First Round: (1) Paes/Tecau def. Haase/Rojer 6-4 7-5

No word on what happened to Robert Lindstedt that he is not here. But Lindstedt/Tecau are safe for London.

Doubles – First Round: J Murray/Sa def. (2) S Gonzalez/Lipsky 6-4 3-6 10-7

Doubles – First Round: Kas/Troicki def. Dimitrov/Tomic 6-4 7-5

Doubles – First Round: (WC) Lu/Udomchoke def. Brunstrom/Marray 6-1 3-6 11-9

Doubles – Quarterfinal: (WC) Ratiwatana/Ratiwatana def. (3) Marrero/Verdasco 6-3 1-6 10-6 (Match TB)

Suddenly the Ratiwatanas are playing as if it were four or five years ago. This is a slight but definite blow to Marrero and Verdasco’s London chances, which weren’t very good anyway.

Kuala Lumpur

Singles – First Round: (5) F Lopez def. L Lacko 6-3 7-6(7-3)

Lukas Lacko simply hasn’t been the same player in the second half that he was in the first. If he doesn’t cure that soon, he may end up back in Challengers next year.

Singles – First Round: D Istomin def. (6) P Andujar 6-3 6-2

This isn’t much of an upset, since Pablo Andujar’s ranking just took a hit. But the result means he will not rise above #40.

Singles – First Round: A Bogomolov Jr. def. (Q) D Inglot 7-5 6-3

Another doubles specialist in the main draw — but without much luck when there.

Singles – First Round: A Falla def. R Ram 7-6(7-4) 4-2 retired (Hamstring)

Too bad for Ram, since indoor courts are probably his best surface after grass.

Singles – First Round: N Davydenko def. (LL) S Singh 7-5 6-4

Nikolay Davydenko was supposed to face Martin Klizan, but of course Klizan had a very long plane flight to make…. The surprises here are that, first, a guy ranked #373 got a Lucky Loser spot, and second, that he made it so close.

Singles – Second Round: (7) J Benneteau def. M Ebden 7-5 6-2

Julien Benneteau has already started to add points, but he’s at a very bad spot in the rankings; it appears he needs a final to climb.

Singles – Second Round: V Pospisil def. (Q) M Yani 6-3 7-5

One more win would very likely put Vasek Pospisil in the Top Hundred.

Doubles – First Round: (1) Fyrstenberg/Matkowski def. (WC) Merzuki/Syed Naguib 6-1 6-3

Doubles – First Round: Kohlmann/Moser def. Huey/Inglot 5-7 6-3 11-9 (Match TB)

Tough scheduling to make doubles specialist Inglot play two matches in one day!