RAFA. ROGER. MURRAY. DJOKOVIC ALL HEATING UP IN THE TENNIS IN MELBOURNE PARK & ARTEM SITAK WON HIS FIRST ROUND OF DOUBLES IN A GRAND SLAM

PRO TOUR NEWS – MEN

 

Tidbits :

 

* Federer survives unexplained hand problem

* Sick Nadal makes it through five set challenge

* No rematch for Nadal and Rosol after Sela upsets #28 seed

* Murray, Berdych cruise; Dimitrov, Anderson, Gasquet also win

* Baghdatis tops Goffin in match of last year’s top Challenger players

* Tomic upsets Kohlschreiber; Troicki keeps winning

* Chardy falls to Seppi; Klizan retires again

* Kyrgios shows he’s healthy with win over Karlovic

* #3 Granollers/Lopez upset in doubles; Bryans win easily

 

Auzzie Open results

 

Singles – Second Round: (2) R Federer def. S Bolelli 3-6 6-3 6-2 6-2

There was something wrong with Roger Federer’s hand in this match. At the time, at least, no one had a guess as to what — perhaps an insect bite or a blister. It made things difficult early on, but obviously he got over it! He leaves Simone Bolelli around the #48 ranking he came in with.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Singles – Second Round: (3) R Nadal def. T Smyczek 6-2 3-6 6-7(2-7) 6-3 7-5

After a good first round, Rafael Nadal really looked off in this contest — he said afterward that he was ill and felt dizzy. Pretty gritty — this took more than four hours. And, even so, he might have lost had not Tim Smyczek had the decency to let Nadal have another first serve when a fan cried out during Nadal’s motion. That perhaps cost Smyczek the match — and his shot at the Top Hundred.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Singles – Second Round: (6) A Murray def. M Matosevic 6-1 6-3 6-2

No problems for Andy Murray, obviously. This isn’t enough to put him back in the Top Five, but one more win might if everything goes his way.

 

Singles – Second Round: (7) T Berdych def. J Melzer 7-6(7-6) 6-2 6-2

So far, things are working out pretty well for Tomas Berdych here. Unlike most of the seeds, his draw is starting to open up, and he was the first player to make the third round. But he’s still only #8 in safe points, and needs at least one more win to go higher.

 

Singles – Second Round: (10) G Dimitrov def. L Lacko 6-3 6-7(10-12) 6-3 6-3

Grigor Dimitrov is now truly on Stan Wawrinka’s tail — if he can win one more match, and outlast Wawrinka, he will move past the defending champion to earn the #10 ranking.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Singles – Second Round: (14) K Anderson def. R Berankis 6-2 6-2 7-6(7-3)

Kevin Anderson hasn’t moved in the rankings yet, but he’s strengthening his grip on his Top Fifteen spot.

 

Singles – Second Round: M Baghdatis def. (20) D Goffin 6-1 6-4 4-6 6-0

These two both had incredible winning streaks in Challengers last year. David Goffin managed to ride that up to the ATP level as the year went on, and Marcos Baghdatis didn’t really, but Baghdatis knows Melbourne far better! He costs Goffin his Top Twenty chance.

 

Singles – Second Round: B Tomic def. (22) P Kohlschreiber 6-7(5-7) 6-4 7-6(8-6) 7-6(7-5)

There will be no Top Twenty spot for Philipp Kohlschreiber, either; he’ll likely be #23 or #24.

 

Singles – Second Round: N Kyrgios def. (23) I Karlovic 7-6(7-4) 6-4 5-7 6-4

It wasn’t a perfect day for Australians (see the next match), but it was pretty good! This might be enough to put Nick Kyrgios in the Top Fifty, and one more win would clinch it. Ivo Karlovic loses the chance to clinch a Top 25 spot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Singles – Second Round: (24) R Gasquet def. J Duckworth 6-2 6-3 7-5

Richard Gasquet has now defended his points; one more win would likely make him Top 25.

 

Singles – Second Round: V Troicki def. (26) L Mayer 6-4 4-6 6-4 6-0

That makes it ten straight wins for Viktor Troicki; he will probably rise to #45 or higher. But Leonardo Mayer won’t be making the Top 25.

 

Singles – Second Round: D Sela def. (28) L Rosol 7-6(7-2) 5-7 7-5 6-3

Had Lukas Rosol won this, he would have set up another meeting with Rafael Nadal — and one where he obviously would have had a pretty good chance. Instead. he will remain stuck right around #30.

 

Singles – Second Round: A Seppi def. (29) J Chardy 7-5 3-6 6-2 6-1

It almost seems as if Jeremy Chardy has a glass ceiling that stops him from hitting the Top Thirty. He’ll fall from #31 to no better than #32; it might be lower. Andreas Seppi is now just one win from a return to the Top Forty.

 

Singles – Second Round: J Sousa def. (32) M Klizan 4-6 7-6(7-4) 6-4 1-0, retired

Will Martin Klizan ever get healthy? It’s starting to seem doubtful. He will not rise above his current #34.

 

Singles – Second Round: M Jaziri def. E Roger-Vasselin 1-6 6-3 6-4 1-6 6-3

Edouard Roger-Vasselin remains below the Top Hundred.

 

Singles – Second Round: S Groth def. T Kokkinakis 3-6 6-3 7-5 3-6 6-1

Sam Groth had already scored his first Australian Open win in the first round, and with this, he adds his first win in five sets. It looks as if he’ll be able to add a career high, too.

 

Doubles – First Round: (1) Bryan/Bryan def. Millman/Mitchell 6-3 7-5

After a shocking loss last week, it looks as if the Bryans are back in the saddle and gunning to add to their Slam haul.

 

Doubles – First Round: Krajicek/Young def. (3) Granollers/Lopez 7-6(8-6) 2-6 7-5

This, though, it simply shocking, and it means that Granollers and Lopez will not rise above their current #8 and #9 rankings. There is a real possibility that Lopez at least might fall out of the Top Ten.

 

Doubles – First Round: (4) Dodig/Melo def. Begemann/Haase 7-6(7-2) 6-2

 

Doubles – First Round: (8) Qureshi/Zimonjic def. Gabashvili/Kukushkin 6-7(7-9) 6-4 6-3

Nenad Zimonjic slightly improves his chances of holding on to the #3 ranking, but he will surely need more. We currently show the Top Ten as follows:

1..(1) Bryan………….12650

1..(1) Bryan………….12650

3..(3) Zimonjic………..5640

4..(4) Nestor………….5400

5..(5) Benneteau……….5180

6..(7) Melo……………4940

7..(6) Roger-Vasselin…..4880

8..(8) Granollers………4750

9..(9) Lopez…………..4570

10.(10) Peya……………4400

10.(10) Soares………….4400

 

Doubles – First Round: (10) Klaasen/Paes def. Lipsky/Ram 6-4 7-6(8-6)

Five straight wins for Klaasen/Paes; they’re 8-1 this year. And this win was over a pretty good team. But Raven Klaasen still has about 1100 more points to defend if he wants to stay Top Twenty.

 

Doubles – First Round: (13) Knowle/Pospisil def. Struff/Thiem 7-6(7-3) 3-6 7-6(7-4)

 

Doubles – First Round: (14) Inglot/Mergea def. Ebden/Reid 6-2 6-2

 

Doubles – First Round: Bolt/Whittington def. (15) Draganja/Kontinen 7-6(7-4) 7-6(7-4)

Despite the loss by Ebden/Reid, this really is turning into a good event for Australians — although it’s surprising to see Draganja/Kontinen seeded; while Draganja seems to have genuine potential, it’s hard to see it in Henri Kontinen.

 

Doubles – First Round: (16) J Murray/Peers def. M Gonzalez/Monaco 6-1 6-7(4-7) 6-4

 

Doubles – First Round: Becker/Sitak def. Muller/Sijsling 6-3 6-4. FYI. SITAK is one of the most talented guys on tour that you never heard of . Bravo Artem for your persistence over the years. We love watching you play. Welcome to the big leagues. Hope you see lots of trophies and great success. Sure beats playing guitar in a coffee shop ……

 

Doubles – First Round: Carreno Busta/Garcia-Lopez def. Cermak/Vesely 6-3 6-2

Last week was a great one for veteran doubles players, with Daniel Nestor and Leander Paes both winning titles, but no luck so far for Frantisek Cermak. Maybe teaming with Jiri Vesely wasn’t so smart; Vesely really seems to have run out of gas after winning his first title.

 

Doubles – First Round: Cuevas/Marrero def. Marray/Stakhovsky 6-4 7-6(8-6)

 

Doubles – First Round: Erlich/Huey def. Lajovic/Lu 6-3 6-7(3-7) 6-3

 

Doubles – First Round: Guccione/Hewitt def. Delbonis/Ramos-Vinolas 6-3 6-3

Two Australians are better than none. Indeed…

 

Doubles – First Round: Jasika/Smith def. Junaid/Mannarino 6-2 2-6 6-3

…two Australians are better than one.

 

RANKINGS

 

Estimated ATP World Tour Rankings

As of January 21, 1015

 

 

Rank &

Prior…Player………..Points

1..(1) Djokovic……….11090

2..(2) Federer…………9245

3..(3) Nadal…………..5475

4..(5) Nishikori……….4890

5..(8) Raonic………….4530

6..(6) Murray………….4405

7..(9) Cilic…………..4105

8..(7) Berdych…………4030

9.(10) Ferrer………….3830

10..(4) Wawrinka………..3415

11.(11) Dimitrov………..3375

12.(12) Tsonga………….2560

13.(13) Gulbis………….2420

14.(14) Lopez…………..2085

15.(15) Anderson………..2035

16.(16) Bautista Agut……1975

17.(17) Robredo…………1845

18.(19) Monfils…………1725

19.(21) Isner…………..1720

20.(20) Simon…………..1685

21.(22) Goffin………….1664

22.(18) Fognini…………1620

23.(24) Kohlschreiber……1460

24.(23) Dolgopolov………1420

25.(27) Karlovic………..1400

26.(26) MayerL………….1389

27.(25) Benneteau……….1355

28.(28) Gasquet…………1350

29.(30) Rosol…………..1245

30.(29) Cuevas………….1217

 

DRAWS

 

Australian Open — Week of January 19

 

 

…………………2R

1 Djokovic

31 Verdasco

19 Isner

13 Bautista Agut

 

12 Lopez

17 Monfils

25 Benneteau

8 Raonic

 

4 Wawrinka

27 Cuevas

21 Dolgopolov

16 Fognini

 

9 Ferrer

18 Simon

30 Giraldo

5 Nishikori

 

7 Berdych……….(7)Berdych

26 L Mayer………Troicki

22 Kohlschreiber…Tomic

11 Gulbis……….Groth

 

14 Anderson……..(14)Anderson

24 Gasquet………(24)Gasquet

28 Rosol………..Sela

3 Nadal…………(3)Nadal

 

6 Murray………..(6)Murray

32 Klizan……….Sousa

20 Goffin……….Baghdatis

10 Dimitrov……..(10)Dimitrov

 

15 Robredo………Jaziri

23 Karlovic……..Kyrgios

29 Chardy……….Seppi

2 Federer……….(2)Federer

 

STATUS OF SEEDS:

1 Djokovic

2 Federer

3 Nadal

4 Wawrinka

5 Nishikori

6 Murray

7 Berdych

8 Raonic

9 Ferrer

10 Dimitrov

11 Gulbis………..lost 1R (Kokkinakis)

12 Lopez

13 Bautista Agut

14 Anderson

15 Robredo……….lost 1R (Roger-Vasselin)

16 Fognini……….lost 1R (A. Gonzalez)

17 Monfils

18 Simon

19 Isner

20 Goffin………..lost 2R (Baghdatis)

21 Dolgopolov…….lost 1R (Lorenzi)

22 Kohlschreiber….lost 2R (Tomic)

23 Karlovic………lost 2R (Kyrgios)

24 Gasquet

25 Benneteau……..lost 1R (Becker)

26 L Mayer……….lost 2R (Troicki)

27 Cuevas………..lost 1R (Bachinger)

28 Rosol…………lost 2R (Sela)

29 Chardy………..lost 2R (Seppi)

30 Giraldo

31 Verdasco

32 Klizan………..lost 2R (Sousa)

 

 

* SCORES

 

WEDNESDAY

 

Australian Open

Singles – Second Round

(2) R Federer def. S Bolelli 3-6 6-3 6-2 6-2

(3) R Nadal def. T Smyczek 6-2 3-6 6-7(2-7) 6-3 7-5

(6) A Murray def. M Matosevic 6-1 6-3 6-2

(7) T Berdych def. J Melzer 7-6(7-6) 6-2 6-2

(10) G Dimitrov def. L Lacko 6-3 6-7(10-12) 6-3 6-3

(14) K Anderson def. R Berankis 6-2 6-2 7-6(7-3)

M Baghdatis def. (20) D Goffin 6-1 6-4 4-6 6-0

B Tomic def. (22) P Kohlschreiber 6-7(5-7) 6-4 7-6(8-6) 7-6(7-5)

N Kyrgios def. (23) I Karlovic 7-6(7-4) 6-4 5-7 6-4

(24) R Gasquet def. J Duckworth 6-2 6-3 7-5

V Troicki def. (26) L Mayer 6-4 4-6 6-4 6-0

D Sela def. (28) L Rosol 7-6(7-2) 5-7 7-5 6-3

A Seppi def. (29) J Chardy 7-5 3-6 6-2 6-1

J Sousa def. (32) M Klizan 4-6 7-6(7-4) 6-4 1-0, retired

M Jaziri def. E Roger-Vasselin 1-6 6-3 6-4 1-6 6-3

S Groth def. T Kokkinakis 3-6 6-3 7-5 3-6 6-1

 

Doubles – First Round

 

(1) Bryan/Bryan def. Millman/Mitchell 6-3 7-5

Krajicek/Young def. (3) Granollers/Lopez 7-6(8-6) 2-6 7-5

(4) Dodig/Melo def. Begemann/Haase 7-6(7-2) 6-2

(8) Qureshi/Zimonjic def. Gabashvili/Kukushkin 6-7(7-9) 6-4 6-3

(10) Klaasen/Paes def. Lipsky/Ram 6-4 7-6(8-6)

(13) Knowle/Pospisil def. Struff/Thiem 7-6(7-3) 3-6 7-6(7-4)

(14) Inglot/Mergea def. Ebden/Reid 6-2 6-2

Bolt/Whittington def. (15) Draganja/Kontinen 7-6(7-4) 7-6(7-4)

(16) J Murray/Peers def. M Gonzalez/Monaco 6-1 6-7(4-7) 6-4

Becker/Sitak def. Muller/Sijsling 6-3 6-4

Carreno Busta/Garcia-Lopez def. Cermak/Vesely 6-3 6-2

Cuevas/Marrero def. Marray/Stakhovsky 6-4 7-6(8-6)

Erlich/Huey def. Lajovic/Lu 6-3 6-7(3-7) 6-3

Guccione/Hewitt def. Delbonis/Ramos-Vinolas 6-3 6-3

Jasika/Smith def. Junaid/Mannarino 6-2 2-6 6-3

 

***

 

Content Via Bob LARSON tennis news service.

Topics: Andy Murray, Artem Sitak, Atp, Australian Open, Bryan Brothers, Federer, Melbourne, Rafa, Tennis Results

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