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