Monaco Dodges A Bullet

It looked like Frenchman Michael Llodra would upset 30-seed Juan Monaco of Argentina. The Argentine had a slow start while the French veteran had a great start. The veteran serve-and-volleyer frustrated Monaco with his solid net play. Monaco started to pass the veteran but then errors undid any sort of comeback for the Argentine. Before long Llodra was up two sets, and Monaco was sitting on the sideline talking to himself.

Monaco settled down for the third set. He managed to hold stay even with the Frenchman and then broke in game nine. Serving for the match, Monaco immediately lost his serve to Llodra. By this point, the Argentine was beside himself. Looking at 40-0, Monaco fought back and broke the Frenchman again. Now, it iwas Llodra turn to be frustrated. Llodra kicked the court and lost his sneaker in the process.

Monaco served for the third set again, and quickly found himself down 0-40. He erased two break points, but then hit the ball in the net to be broken again and forced to play a tiebreak. In the tiebreak, the two players remained close until 5-5. Monaco won the next two points to win the set and stay in the match.

After the loss of the set, Llodra took an injury time out for his foot. Monaco was able to steamroll the Frenchman in the fourth set. For the final set, Llodra was able to must up some fight, but Monaco was able to seal the deal 3-6 3-6 7-6(5) 6-2 6-3.

Monaco advances to play Nikolay Davydenko, who is probably playing the best at this point in the year. Davydenko leads it 3-1.

Thursday's Results

Friday's Order of Play

(Image: AP/John Donegan)