By Ricky Dimon
With so many intriguing first-round matches at the Rogers Cup, not every one is going to be able to live up to the hype. Gael Monfils vs. Fabio Fognini certainly was one that underwhelmed on Monday in Montreal.
But don’t blame Monfils. The Frenchman turned in a no-nonsense performance to clobber a somewhat hobbled Fognini 6-3, 6-1 in one hour and three minutes. Fognini appeared to be dealing with minor calf and wrist issues.
“I played a solid match,” Monfils commented. “It was important to me. I wanted to start off this tournament well. It was not a great match, but I didn’t play bad. I was solid. I didn’t give away any points.”
Among those joining Monfils in the second round were Donald Young, Ivo Karlovic, Gilles Simon, Gilles Muller, Sam Querrey, Bernard Tomic, and Tommy Robredo.
Donald Young ( ‘D.Y.’ To his friends and fans) dominated an all-American showdown with Denis Kudla 6-3, 6-4. Having come through qualifying just to get into the main draw, the Atlanta resident already owns three match victories in Montreal. Karlovic won a big-hitting affair with Jerzy Janowicz, Simon eased past Andreas Seppi, Muller mauled Philip Bester and will face Monfils, Querrey crushed Martin Klizan, Tomic got a win over Joao Sousa, and Robredo beat fellow Spaniard Feliciano Lopez.
As for doubles action, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray all found the win column.
Nadal and Fernando Verdasco edged Tomas Berdych and Jack Sock 6-3, 5-7, 10-6. Djokovic and Janko Tipsarevic emerged victorious in a Serb-heavy match against Seppi and Viktor Troicki. Murray became Leander Paes’ 101st partner and the duo downed Kevin Anderson and Jeremy Chardy in easy straight sets.
The Murray brothers will collide in round two; it will be Andy and Paes vs. Jamie and John Peers.
Briefs
* Karlovic defeats Janowicz, can reach top 20 with one more victory
* Tomic gives himself a chance at top 25 by beating Sousa
* Bellucci outlasts Cuevas to put himself in position for U.S. Open seeding
* Muller moves on in Montreal, can punch a ticket to top 40 with one more win
* Stakhovsky holds off Peliwo, almost assured of staying in top 60
* Young dominates Kudla, could soar into top 70 even with second-round loss
Topics: Andy Murray, Atp World Tour, Donald Young, Doubles tennis, Gael Monfils, Montreal, Novak Djokovic, Rafa Nadal, Ricky Dimon, Rogers Cup, Sports, tennis update
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