Today’s Men’s News (10/24)

Written by: Staff on 24th October 2012

Today's Men's News (10/24)

epa03286571 Rafael Nadal of Spain returns to Lukas Rosol of the Czech Republic during their second round match for the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, in London, Britain, 28 June 2012. EPA/FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA |

Valencia

Singles – First Round: G Muller def. (8) M Raonic 7-5 7-6(7-1)

Interestingly, Gilles Muller hit only eight aces, compared to 16 for Milos Raonic. Muller was a little better on first serve points, but substantially worse on second. Since these two guys live and die by their serves, it would seem as if Muller should have lost. But he converted two of three break chances; Raonic converted only one of five. And that means — out of the Race for Raonic. He’ll probably stay Top Fifteen, though.

Singles – First Round: M Granollers def. (Q) J Hajek 7-5 6-4

This is trivial next to what Marcel Granollers has to defend, but at least it’s a fast start.

Singles – Second Round: D Goffin def. (5) J Isner 7-6(7-2) 4-6 6-4

This has been an awful event for seeds — this makes it five eliminated, and the second round is just beginning. John Isner’s year, though, is getting close to its end; he loses his chance to make the Top Ten, and he is eliminated from the Race.

Singles – Second Round: (7) M Cilic def. F Verdasco 6-1 6-4

Marin Cilic, interestingly, is one of the few guys still alive in the Race, although his chances are more theoretical than real. He leaves Fernando Verdasco still at #24 or lower.

Singles – Second Round: (Q) Ivan Dodig def. (WC) L Hewitt 6-1 3-6 6-2

A year or two ago, Ivan Dodig seemed to be going places and Lleyton Hewitt seemed to be history. Now, that’s reversed — this was a match Dodig almost certainly had to win to get direct entry to the Australian Open.

Doubles – First Round: (2) Peya/Soares def. Andujar/F Lopez 6-4 6-1

Doubles – First Round: Knowle/Polasek def. (4) Fleming/Hutchins 4-6 6-4 10-5 (Match TB)

Julian Knowle is having a pretty good comeback all of a sudden. Unfortunately for Fleming/Hutchins, who came in at #9 in the Race but are now eliminated. It’s Qureshi/Rojer, Bhupathi/Bopanna, and Fyrstenberg/Matkowski competing for two spots in London.

Doubles – First Round: (WC) Ferrer/Ferrero def. Berlocq/Dolgopolov 3-6 6-1 10-7 (Match TB)

Not quite done yet for Juan Carlos Ferrero….

Doubles – First Round: Klizan/Mertinak def. Melzer/Petzschner 6-4 6-4

It’s amazing how far Melzer/Petzschner have fallen in the last couple of years.

Basel

Singles – First Round: (2) J del Potro def. A Falla 6-4 6-1

As we said yesterday, Juan Martin del Potro hasn’t clinched his London spot yet — but he might well do so before the end of the week. Especially if he keeps playing like this.

Singles – First Round: B Paire def. (5) A Seppi 4-6 6-2 6-3

Andreas Seppi was probably tired before this match; he’s certainly tired after it! He will not rise above #22.

Singles – First Round: M Matosevic def. (7) F Mayer 6-2 6-3

Florian Mayer loses his chance to make the Top 25. Marinko Matosevic is very close to hitting the Top Fifty.

Singles – First Round: (WC) P Mathieu def. (WC) H Laaksonen 6-2 7-5

There are wildcards and there are wildcards. Not much doubt about which is the stronger one here!

Singles – Second Round: (1) R Federer def. T Bellucci 6-3 6-7(6-8) 7-5

Definitely not what Roger Federer wanted in his last-ditch attempt to earn the year-end #1. He still has a shot, of course, but every bit of energy he expends probably lessens his chances. He leaves Thomaz Bellucci probably #34.

Singles – Second Round: (3) R Gasquet def. (WC) M Chiudinelli 6-1 6-4

Richard Gasquet is one of only three players in action this week who could still pass Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the Race (Almagro and Cilic being the others). Given that he’s French, a good score for him here just might make Paris very interesting. Here is how we currently show the Race Top Fifteen (no one below the Top Fifteen is still alive):

1..Djokovic….11410…CLINCHED

2..Federer……9255…CLINCHED

3..Murray…….7510…CLINCHED

4..Nadal……..6840…CLINCHED

5..Ferrer…….4780…CLINCHED

6..Berdych……4225…CLINCHED

7..Del Potro….3740…

8..Tsonga…….3310…

9..Tipsarevic…2810…

10..Almagro……2425…

11..Gasquet……2370…

12..Monaco…….2340…

13..Raonic…….2290…OUT

14..Isner……..2205…OUT

15..Cilic……..2150…

Singles – Second Round: G Dimitrov def. J Benneteau 7-6(7-5) 6-7(1-7) 7-6(7-3)

Julien Benneteau remains below #35; he’s probably going to need a good result in Paris if he is going to earn an Australian Open seed.

Doubles – First Round: Bracciali/Cermak def. (3) Qureshi/Rojer 6-4 6-7(5-7) 10-6 (Match TB)

Qureshi/Rojer remain in the London hunt, but they lose the chance to build up any cushion at all. In singles, there probably won’t be much excitement at Paris. But the doubles is going to be quite the event.

Doubles – First Round: Anderson/Troicki def. (WC) Bossell/Laaksonen 6-2 6-2

Doubles – First Round: Marray/Nielsen def. Butorac/Hanley 7-6(8-6) 2-6 10-5 (Match TB)