Today’s Men’s News (01/7)

Written by: Staff on 7th January 2013

BNP Paribas 2012 Masters Tennis Tournament

Today's Men's News (01/7)

epa03451184 Martin Klizan of Slovakia returns the ball to Andreas Seppi of Italy during their first round match at the BNP Paribas 2012 Masters Tennis tournament in Paris, France, 29 October 2012. EPA/IAN LANGSDON |

Auckland

Singles – First Round: B Baker def. (5) J Janowicz 4-6 7-6(7-5) 6-4

Jerzy Janowicz was making errors in bunches in this match; he costs himself his shot at the Top 25.

Singles – First Round: X Malisse def. (7) M Klizan 7-6(7-4) 3-6 6-3

Martin Klizan won’t be rising, either, although we’d guess he will be able to keep the #30 ranking.

Singles – First Round: (8) T Bellucci def. D Goffin 7-6(7-5) 6-2

If Klizan falls below #30, it will probably be Thomaz Bellucci who replaces him — but Bellucci needs a final. David Goffin’s Top Fifty ranking is looking a little iffy.

Singles – First Round: (WC) O Rochus def. A Ramos 6-2 5-7 6-2

Olivier Rochus was a finalist last year at this time, and that represents more than a quarter of his points. Had he lost this, he would have been stuck in qualifying at almost every event. He needed this!

Doubles – First Round: (1) Fleming/Soares def. (WC) King-Turner/Venus 2-6 7-6(8-6) 10-7

Sydney

Singles – First Round: (5) F Mayer def. (Q) J Sousa 6-1 6-2

This is only a 250 point event, so this won’t do Florian Mayer any noticeable good.

Singles – First Round: (8) M Granollers def. (WC) M Ebden 5-7 7-5 6-1

Matthew Ebden had a strong 2011, then faded last year. There isn’t yet much evidence that he’s over the fade.

Singles – First Round: J Benneteau def. P Andujar 6-3 5-7 6-2

There isn’t much ranking gap between these two, but Julien Benneteau had a lot more to defend….

Singles – First Round: D Istomin def. (WC) J Duckworth 6-7(4-7) 6-4 7-6(7-3)

This was pretty shockingly difficult, given the huge rankings gap between these two. And Denis Istomin still needs two more wins to defend his points.

Doubles – First Round: Chardy/Kubot def. (WC) Duckworth/Guccione 6-4 7-5