Today’s Men’s News (10/31) – Paris

Written by: Staff on 31st October 2012

BNP Paribas 2012 Masters Tennis Tournament

Today's Men's News (10/31) - Paris

epa03453449 Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns the ball to Sam Querrey of the USA during their second round match at the BNP Paribas 2012 Masters tennis tournament in Paris, France, 31 October 2012. EPA/IAN LANGSDON |

Paris

Singles – Second Round: S Querrey def. (2) N Djokovic 0-6 7-6(7-5) 6-4

To give Sam Querrey his due, he was serving incredibly well in this match. And there is a report that Novak Djokovic had a family situation at home in Serbia that he refuses to talk about. And Djokovic has clinched the year-end #1. Still… you have to wonder if Roger Federer regrets his decision to pull out.

Singles – Second Round: (3) A Murray def. (WC) P Mathieu 7-5 6-3

Obviously this is now very much Andy Murray’s event to win. And it’s still theoretically possible for him to end the year at #2 — if he can win London as well and Roger Federer doesn’t do very well. Hm.

Singles – Second Round: (4) D Ferrer def. M Granollers 6-1 6-3

Six straight wins for David Ferrer. That could be promising for London — if he doesn’t get too tired. Marcel Granollers will end the year at #32 or #33.

Singles – Second Round: (7) J del Potro def. (Q) A Falla 6-2 6-2

In addition to extending his winning streak, Juan Martin del Potro keeps the pressure firmly on Tomas Berdych in the contest for the year-end #6 spot. Indeed, he still has an outside chance to end the year #5.

Singles – Second Round: (8) J Tipsarevic def. (Q) I Sijsling 6-4 7-6(7-0)

Had Janko Tipsarevic lost this, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga would have clinched for London. As it is, Tsonga waits. As does Tipsarevic, for that matter. He remains in line for the #8 spot, but there are several players who can still catch him.

Singles – Second Round: (9) J Monaco def. (Q) G Dimitrov 7-6(7-4) 6-2

Juan Monaco stays alive in the Race, too. He faces Tipsarevic next, in fact, in a match that is must-win for Monaco while it would come close to clinching for Tipsarevic.

Singles – Second Round: (11) N Almagro def. A Ramos 7-6(7-1) 6-7(4-7) 6-3

And so we’ll have to wait until tomorrow to settle the Race. Almagro and Tipsarevic could both still pass Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, so we still have two live spots. Albert Ramos will br right around #50.Singles – Second Round: (WC) M Llodra def. (10) J Isner 6-4 7-6(7-5)At this rate, maybe Michael Llodra can make it back into the Top Hundred after all…. He of course knocks John Isner out of the Race; it appears Isner will fall all the way to #14.

Singles – Second Round: K Anderson def. (12) R Gasquet 7-6(7-5) 4-6 6-1

Richard Gasquet, too, it out of the Race. The best he can hope for is the #10 ranking and the top alternate spot. Barring additional withdrawals, of course.

Singles – Second Round: (14) M Raonic def. J Chardy 6-7(4-7) 7-6(7-4) 6-3

This was the late match, and the locals definitely got a fine show! But they didn’t get what they probably wanted most, which was Jeremy Chardy clinching a Top Thirty spot. It’s pretty likely — he’s #30 in safe points — but not guaranteed. Milos Raonic is likely to end the year at #13 or better; he remains alive in the Race. Just barely. He is the lowest-ranked player who still has a shot at London.

Singles – Second Round: G Simon def. (LL) V Hanescu 7-5 6-3

Victor Hanescu didn’t do much to take advantage of being in Roger Federer’s spot in the draw. Gilles Simon, though, finds himself in the place of the #1 seed — and if he can win even one more match, he could end the year at #16 and with a near-guarantee of a Top Sixteen Australian Open seed.

Doubles – First Round: (WC) Ouanna/Renevand def. Paire/Wawrinka 6-3 6-4

Doubles – First Round: (WC) Benneteau/Mannarino def. Bracciali/Cermak

Doubles – First Round: S Gonzalez/Lipsky def. Berlocq/Istomin 6-2 4-6 10-4 (Match TB)

Doubles – Second Round: (2) Mirnyi/Nestor def. Kas/Seppi 7-6(7-3) 6-2

Truly interesting. Mirnyi/Nestor had been struggling. So Nestor went and played a bit with other partners — and suddenly they’re back to life.

Doubles – Second Round: Cilic/Melo def. (3) Lindstedt/Tecau 6-3 3-2, retired .

(Lindstedt – neck)Lindstedt/Tecau are clinched for London, but this doesn’t look promising.

Doubles – Second Round: (4) Fyrstenberg/Matkowski def. Fleming/Hutchins 3-6 6-3 10-5 (Match TB)

This was the week’s first doubles match that had any London significance, and it (at least temporarily) moves Fyrstenberg/Matkowski to the leading place among the three contenders for the last two spots. But it certainly didn’t settle anything…. We currently estimate the Race as follows:

# 1..(1) Bryan/Bryan……..9495

# 2..(2) Mirnyi/Nestor……6505

# 3..(3) Paes/Stepanek……6275

# 4..(4) Lindstedt/Tecau….5975

# 5..(5) Granollers/M Lopez.4370

# 6..(7) Fyrstenberg/Matkow.3690

# 7..(6) Qureshi/Rojer……3525

# 8..(8) Bhupathi/Bopanna…3465

# 9..(9) Fleming/Hutchins…2420

# 10.(10) Marrero/Verdasco…2260

# 11.(11) Marray/Nielsen…..2180