Today’s Men’s News (4/9) – Casablanca/Houston

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 9th April 2013

Today's Men's News (4/9) - Casablanca/Houston

epa03615557 Tommy Robredo of Spain hits a return against Marinke Matosevic of Australia during the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament in Indian Wells, California, USA, 08 March 2013. EPA/JOHN G. MABANGLO |

Casablanca

Two singles matches comprised the entire main-draw program on opening day, with clay veteran Tommy Robredo turning in an defeat of Frenchman Guillaume Rufin 7-6(2), 6-4. Blaz Kavcic shared the minor-league spotlight as the European clay season began with an ATP 250 event, beating local Moroccan Mehdi Ziadi 6-2, 6-4 to earn a second-round encounter with top seed Stanislas Wawrinka.

The 72nd-dranked Robredo has already spent most of his season on clay, stepping onto hardcourts for one opening loss in Indian Wells a month ago as he went down to Australian Marinko Matosevic. The experienced Spanish winner went through in one and three-quarter hours in Houston to face either fourth seed Jurgen Melzer or German Tobias Kamke, both of whom posted solid results in March on American cement.

Robredo trailed by a break in the second set but leveled at 4-all before breaking at the end to post victory.

The Casablanca field is headed by 2010 champion Wawrinka, who was followed by back-to-back titles from Spain’s Pablo Andujar at the last two editions in North Africa. Andujar is unseeded this season thanks to a 57th ranking and would play the second seed Kevin Anderson should the Spaniard beat a qualifier in the opening round.

Houston

Americans Sam Querrey and John Isner will have a week on clay to lick their wounds after both lost single matches in the US Davis Cup defeat by Serbia at the weekend in Idaho. Neither of the big men feel particularly comfortable on clay, but a least they get another week to play a home while putting off what for them is a mighty and fearful undertaking – a trip to Europe.

The Houston field on red clay is headed by Spanish top seed Almagro, with German Tommy Haas playing for the first time as a 35-year-old after his miracle Miami semi-final performance. Argentine Juan Monaco may have shined for his nation over France in Davis Cup, with the South American is still looking for his first ATP win of the season.

A pair of young and unpredictable Frenchman are in the field, with Gael Monfils playing on clay after skipping the entire US hardcourt swing and now playing a match since February. he is joined in the field by friend Josselin Ouanna, the No. 156. In a late-starting main draw lineup, American Rhyne Williams advanced over Argentina Guido Pella 7-5, 7-5.