David Ferrer helped Spain advance into the Davis Cup quarterfinals against France and thus begins Spain’s road to its second-consecutive title defense. Ferrer took no time in taking apart Stanislas Wawrinka and any Swiss hopes with a 6-2 6-4 6-0 victory. Nicolas Almagro finished up strong in his emphatic victory over Marco Chiudinelli at 6-1 6-3 after 75 minutes of play.

It goes to show how deep Team Spain is. Even without Rafael Nadal, Fernando Verdasco and Juan Carlos Ferrero, they still were able to advance comfortably. Hopefully, Spain will be much healthier in their quarterfinal matchup.

Team Spain is much deeper than France. France could be a formidable foe if Gael Monfils and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga can stay healthy and play well. Team France now has a great doubles partnership in Michael Llodra and Julien Benneteau, which can now handle any of the Spanish pairings.

Tsonga had to retire with a mild foot injury in his dead rubber match against German Simon Greul this afternoon. Why Guy Forget would play Tsonga in a dead rubber matchup seems kind of crazy to me. Luckily, they won the first round in their first-three matches. If they were in a dogfight with Spain, this would definitely be a problem. Injuries are really France’s Achilles heel.

No matter what happens, the France-Spain matchup in July will be entertaining.

Sunday’s Results
R4 – David Ferrer (ESP) def. Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) 6-2 6-4 6-0
R5 – Nicolas Almagro (ESP) def. Marco Chiudinelli (SUI) 6-1 6-3

(Image: AP)

France was pretty efficient in its 3-0 victory over Germany. Julien Benneteau and Michael Llodra defeated Christopher Kas and Philipp Kohlschreiber.

It looked like the French team would blow out the Germans when they won the first set 6-1, but Kas and Kohlschreiber slowly worked their way into the match. The Germans then returned the favor in the third set when they won it 6-1, but Llodra and Benneteau buttoned it up in the fourth. The French duo kept it close and then broke on the Kas serve for a 6-1 6-4 1-6 7-5 victory.

France now waits for the winner of the Spain-Switzerland duel. Their opponent will most likely be Spain. This French line-up looked good this weekend and could perhaps give Spain some trouble if there are no French flake outs.

Saturday’s Results
R3 – J. Benneteau (FRA)/M. Llodra (FRA) def. C. Kas (GER)/P. Kohlschreiber (GER) 6-1 6-4 1-6 7-5

(Image: AP)

Gael Monfils get Frenchie love from teammates Julien Benneteau and Richard Gasquet after his straight-sets victory against Philipp Kohlshreiber.

(Image: AP)

Tommy Robredo beat last week’s Open 13 singles finalist and doubles champion. The Spaniard had an easy time with Julien Benneteau 6-2 6-1 after just 44 minutes of work. Benneteau double’s partner from last week and the Open 13 champion did not fare much better today. Michael Llodra had to withdraw from his match with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga with a hamstring injury.

Robredo will advance to play Austrian Jurgen Melzer in the second round. The Spaniard leads their head-to-head 4-3. The new world no. 23 dropped 6 spots this week and has struggled this year. He is 2-4 before his match today. Since he was last year’s Juan Carlos Ferrero, he lost 500 points for not defending or replacing his championship points in Costa Do Sauipe and Buenos Aires.

Tuesday’s Order of Play
Singles First Round
4 Nikolay Davydenko (RUS) def. Florent Serra (FRA) 6-7(5) 6-4 6-1
5 WC Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) def. Michael Llodra (FRA) 7-6(9) RET. (left hamstring)
6 Marin Cilic (CRO) def. Arnaud Clement (FRA) 6-2 6-4
7 Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) def. Lukas Lacko (SVK) 6-7(3) 7-6(5) 6-1
Janko Tipsarevic (SRB) def. Andreas Seppi (ITA) 7-6(4) 7-5
Michael Berrer (GER) def. Sergiy Stakhovsky (UKR) 6-4 7-6(3)
Tommy Robredo (ESP) def. Julien Benneteau (FRA) 6-2 6-1
Q Somdev Devvarman (IND) def. Marco Chiudinelli (SUI) 6-4 7-5
Q Bjorn Phau (GER) def. WC Mohammad Ghareeb (KUW) 3-0 RET. (back)

Doubles First Round
S. Aspelin (SWE)/P. Hanley (AUS) def. N. Djokovic (SRB)/D. Vemic (SRB) 6-4 6-3
J. Tipsarevic (SRB)/V. Troicki (SRB) def. F. Serra (FRA)/G Simon (FRA) 7-6(4) 6-0
C. Kas (GER)/D. Norman (BEL) def. I. Ljubicic (CRO)/J. Melzer (AUT) 6-4 7-6(4)

Wednesday’s Order of Play

(Image: Getty Images)

Michael Llodra won the singles and doubles titles at the Open 13. The singles champion scored his fourth-career singles title and second indoor title.

The French lefty lost to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga last year. By Friday, it looked like there would be a rematch. Eighth-seed Julien Benneteau instead broke that all up when he took out second-seed Tsonga in the semifinals on Saturday.

Today, Llodra upset the last remaining seed to take the French singles title. He secured the victory with a 6-3 6-4 win over Benneteau and denying the runner-up his first-career title. Don’t feel bad for the singles runner-up though.

As consolation, Benneteau teamed up later with the singles champion to help secure Llodra's third Marseille doubles title (2010, 2009, 2007). The tricolored duo upset top-seeds Julien Knowle and Robert Lindstedt 6-4 6-3. The doubles title is Llodra’s 18th and his second title with Benneteau. Benneteau now has six-career doubles titles of his own.

Championship Sunday
Singles Final
Michael Llodra (FRA) def. 8 Julien Benneteau (FRA) 6-3 6-4

Doubles Final
2 J. Benneteau (FRA)/M. Llodra (FRA) def. 1 J. Knowle (AUT)/R. Lindstedt (SWE) 6-4 6- 3

Saturday’s Matches
Singles Semifinals
Michael Llodra (FRA) def. Mischa Zverev (GER) 6-1 7-6(3)
8 Julien Benneteau (FRA) def. 2 Jo-Wilfred Tsonga (FRA) 7-6 (11) 5-7 7-6(3)

Doubles Semifinals
2 J. Benneteau (FRA)/M. Llodra (FRA) def. A. Clement (FRA)/N. Mahut (FRA) 7-6(0) 6-4

(Image: Yohan Brandt/Open 13)

Michael Llodra was a double winner today. First, he upset seventh-seed Marcos Baghdatis in straight sets in singles. He now awaits the winner of the Soderling-Stakhovsky match for a quarterfinal matchup.

Later on in the day, he beat Sergiy Stakhovsky and Rogier Wassen with partner Julien Benneteau in doubles. The Frenchman is trying to defend his doubles title with a different partner. They will next meet play the person he won the title with last year, Arnaud Clement, who is now paired with Nicolas Mahut, in the semifinals.

Not a bad day’s worth of work for Monsieur Llodra.

Preview:
City: Marseille, France

Surface: Indoor Hard
 Championship Points: 250

2009 Singles Champion: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
2009 Doubles Champion: Arnaud Clement and Michael Llodra
Draws: Singles | Doubles

Wednesday’s Results
Singles First Round

WC Guillaume Rufin (FRA) def. LL Laurent Recouderc (FRA) 7-5 4-6 7-6(2)
Q Yannick Mertens (BEL) def. Jan Hajek (CZE) 7-6(8) 6-1

Singles Second Round

2 Jo-Wilfred Tsonga (FRA) def. LL Joanna Ouanna (FRA) 7-6(9) 6-4 

Mischa Zverev (GER) def. 4 Tommy Robredo (ESP) 6-2 3-6 6-1

Michael Llodra (FRA) def. 7 Marcos Baghdatis (CYP) 7-6(6) 6-4

8 Julien Benneteau (FRA) def. Florent Serra (FRA) 6-4 6-4

Doubles First Round

R. Bopanna (IND)/J. Coetzee (RSA) def. C. Rochus (BEL)/O. Rochus (BEL) 6-2 6-1

Doubles Quarterfinals

2 J. Benneteau (FRA)/M. Llodra (FRA) def. S. Stakhovsky (UKR)/R. Wassen (NED) 6-2 6-2

A. Clement (FRA)/N. Mahut (FRA) def. R. de Voest (RSA)/A. Qureshi (PAK) 6-3 7-5

Thursday’s Order of Play

(Image: EQ)

It was not an easy day at the office for the top three. Julien Benneteau upset top seed Roger Federer 3-6 7-6(4) 6-4. In their two previous meetings, the Frenchman never topped the current world no.1, but he broke through today. Hopefully, the 27 year old makes a run this week in front of the hometown crowned.

Benneteau continues the tricolor surge. He will play compatriot Gael Monfils in the third round. Monfils leads their head-to-head matchup 3-1.

Second-seed Rafael Nadal had never lost to Nicolas Almagro in their four previous meetings, but Almagro almost put an end to all of that today. Nadal was not helped by the fact that he really struggled in the first part of the match. The Majorcan was able to steer the ship clear of disaster after he saved five match points in the second set. After three hours and 15 minutes of play, he staved off disaster by beating Almagro 3-6 7-6(2) 7-5. Nadal will now meet another compatriot Tommy Robredo in the next round.

Novak Djokovic's day was not as tragic as the other two, but Juan Monaco did give him a test. The world no. 3 had an easy first set against Monaco, but the Argentine made him work for it in the second. Djokovic topped the Argentine 6-3 7-5. Arnaud Clement, who upset Tommy Haas in three sets today, will be the Serbs next opponent.

Wednesday’s Results
Singles Second Round
Julien Benneteau (FRA) def. 1 Roger Federer (SUI) 3-6 7-6(4) 6-4
2 Rafael Nadal (ESP) def. Nicolas Almagro (ESP) 3-6 7-6(2) 7-5 - Saved 5 M.P.
3 Novak Djokovic (SRB) def. Juan Monaco (ARG) 6-3 7-5
4 Andy Murray (GBR) def. James Blake (USA) 6-3 6-7(5) 7-6(4)
5 Juan Del Potro (ARG) def. WC Marat Safin (RUS) 6-4 5-7 6-4
9 Robin Soderling (SWE) def. Ivo Karlovic (CRO) 6-4 7-6(6)
10 Fernando Gonzalez (CHI) def. John Isner (USA) 7-5 7-6(3)
12 Marin Cilic (CRO) def. Q Lukasz Kubot (POL) 6-7(3) 6-4 6-2
13 Radek Stepanek (CZE) def. Viktor Troicki (SRB) 6-4 6-0
14 Tommy Robredo (ESP) def. Tomas Berdych (CZE) 6-4 6-4
15 Gael Monfils (FRA) def. Q David Guez (FRA) 6-4 7-5
Q Arnaud Clement (FRA) def. 16 Tommy Haas (GER) 5-7 6-3 7-6(8) - Saved 1 M.P.

Doubles Second Round
S. Aspelin (SWE)/P. Hanley (AUS) def. 3 M. Bhupathi (IND)/M. Knowles (BAH) 6-4 6-7(6) 10-7
J. Kerr (AUS)/T. Parrott (USA) def. 4 L. Dlouhy (CZE)/L. Paes (IND) 6-7(5) 6-4 10-5
M. Granollers (ESP)/T. Robredo (ESP) def. 5 W. Moodie (RSA)/D. Norman (BEL) 6-4 7-5
7 M. Fyrstenberg (POL)/M. Matkowski (POL) def. J. Brunstrom (SWE)/J. Rojer (AHO) 6-4 7-6(5)
8 F. Cermak (CZE)/M. Mertinak (SVK) def. B. Soares (BRA)/K. Ullyett (ZIM) 6-3 6-4

Thursday’s Order of Play

Watch Live
Tennis Channel – 5:00 AM ET – 5:00 PM ET

(Images: AP)

During the first-two days of the Paris tournament, the French had lost five-straight matches. To start out the third day of play, Jeremy Chardy lost his hard-fought match against Juan Monaco. Things were looking bleak for the French fans.

Out of nowhere, French qualifier and world no. 179 David Guez upset Stanislas Wawrinka in straight sets. Julien Benneteau beat Philip Petzschner in a tight match. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga then had a routine win over Albert Montanes to kick off the evening matches.

Gilles Simon had a difficult matchup with Ivan Ljubicic. The Croat has been playing really well of late and had caused a lot of trouble during the indoor circuit. He was especially troublesome for French players. In the last month, Ljubicic picked off Paul-Henri Mathieu, Julien Benneteau, Gael Monfils, Florent Serra, Arnaud Clement and Michael Llodra. Plus, it did not help matters that Gillou has played victim to the Croat in all three of their previous meetings.

On paper, it looked like he might cause trouble for Simon again. Instead, the 24 year old played well for the most part of the match. The Frenchman was finally able to post his first win over the veteran able by surpassing Ljubicic 6-3 3-6 7-6(4) in a three-set thriller. Gilliou now advances to play Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in an evil matchup of compatriots in third round.

After hemorrhaging matches for the first-two days, the French ended day three 4-1. Things are starting to look up for the tricolor.

Tuesday’s Results
Singles First Round
Nicolas Almagro (ESP) def. Marco Chiudinelli (SUI) 6-2 6-4
[Q] David Guez (FRA) def. Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) 6-3 6-4
Juan Monaco (ARG) def. Jeremy Chardy (FRA) 7-6(6) 7-5
Julien Benneteau (FRA) def. Philipp Petzschner (GER) 4-6 7-5 6-3
[Q] Arnaud Clement (FRA) def. Feliciano Lopez (ESP) 6-3 6-1
Singles Second Round
6 Nikolay Davydenko (RUS) def. Benjamin Becker (GER) 6-2 6-1
7 Fernando Verdasco (ESP) def. Andreas Seppi (ITA) 6-7(3) 6-4 6-4
8 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) def. Albert Montanes (ESP) 6-1 7-5
11 Gilles Simon (FRA) def. Ivan Ljubicic (CRO) 6-3 3-6 7-6(4)

Doubles First Round
B. Soares (BRA)/K. Ullyett (ZIM) def. P. Cuevas (URU)/O. Marach (AUT) 6-1 7-6(6)
M. Granollers (ESP)/T. Robredo (ESP) def. J. Del Potro (ARG)/F. Gonzalez (CHI) 7-6(2) 6-2
C. Kas (GER)/P. Kohlschreiber (GER) def. J. Monaco (ARG)/R. Nadal (ESP) 4-6 7-5 15-13 - saved 2 M.P.
J. Kerr (AUS)/T. Parrott (USA) def. M. Damm (CZE)/J. Erlich (ISR) 6-3 6-4
J. Brunstrom (SWE)/J. Rojer (AHO) def. WC S. Grosjean (FRA)/F. Santoro (FRA) 6-3 3-6 10-5

Wednesday’s Order of Play

Watch Live
Tennis Channel - 5:00 AM ET – 5:00 PM ET

(Image: C. Saidi/FFT)

Nikolay Davydenko out-hit Rafael Nadal today to upset the Spaniard 7-6(3) 6-3 after a little more than two hours of play. The Russian captured his first Masters title and fourth title of the year. Davydenko becomes the first player to win a Masters title that is not named Nadal, Federer and Murray.

In doubles, French troublemakers Julien Benneteau and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga upset Polish duo and sixth-seeds Mariusz Frystenberg and Marcin Matkowski 6-2 6-4. Les enfants problèmes had to knock off some tough teams along their way to the championship, mainly 1 Nestor/Zimonjic and 3 Bhupathi/Knowles.

This is their fourth pairing and first title together. They should stay together since it looks like the pairing is working. The French need another doubles couple since Arnaud Clement and Michael Llodra towards the end of their careers.

Championship Sunday
Singles Finals
6 Nikolay Davydenko def. 1 Rafael Nadal (ESP) 7-6(3) 6-3

Doubles Finals
J. Benneteau (FRA)/J. Tsonga (FRA) def. 6 M. Fyrstenberg (POL)/M. Matkowski (POL) 6-2 6-4

(Images: Philippe Lopez/AFP/Getty Images, Andy Wong/AP)

Novak Djokovic started out slow today but managed to turn it around. In the end, he was able to get passed Julien Benneteau 6-7(8) 7-6(1) 6-2 6-4. Hopefully, the Serb will play his way into the tournament if he wants to advance deep into the second week. He is definitely capable of turning it on, and I hope he does. Hats off to Benneteau who really played his heart out and banged himself up in the process.

For Djokovic, his next opponent will be current World No. 106 Simon Greul from Germany. The two players have never met in ATP competition or a grand slam.

(Image: Carl De Souza/AFP/Getty Images)

Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, former JC Ferrero Equelite attendee, rallied to beat lucky loser Julien Benneteau of France to capture the Kitzbuhel title. He captured the Austrian trophy after battling the Frenchman for three hours and ten minutes for a 3-6 7-6(1) 6-3 victory. Kitzbuhel is the Spaniard’s first ATP career title, so a congratulations is in order for the 25-year-old world no. 74.

On the doubles side, the Brazilian duo of Marcel Melo and Andre Sa successfully defended their title. They overcame a one-set deficit to beat Romanians Andrei Pavel and Horia Tecau 6-7(9) 6-2 10-7. The championship is their first of the year and their fifth title together.


Championship Results
Singles Final
Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (ESP) def. LL Julien Benneteau (FRA) 3-6 7-6(1) 6-3

Doubles Final
2 M. Melo (BRA)/A. Sa (BRA) def. A. Pavel (ROU)/H. Tecau (ROU) 6-7(9) 6-2 10-7


(Image: AP)

Top-seed and defending champion Nikolay Davydenko pulled out of the tournament due to an ankle injury and will be replaced by lucky loser Paul Capdeville of Chile. France’s Nicolas Devilder also pulled out of the tournament for an ankle inury and was replaced by lucky loser Julien Benneteau. Both lucky losers will make their tournament debuts tomorrow.

Monday’s Results
Singles First Round
3 Victor Hanescu (ROU) def. Q Nicolas Lapentti (ECU) 6-7(6) 6-3 7-5
7 Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) def. Daniel Gimeno-Traver (ESP) 6-2 7-6(7)
Marcel Granollers (ESP) def. Teimuraz Gabashvili (RUS) 7-6(11) 6-3
Nicolas Massu (CHI) def. Q Robin Vik (CZE) 6-4 6-2
WC Andreas Beck (GER) def. Jan Hernych (CZE) 5-7 6-3 7-5
WC Daniel Koellerer (AUT) def. Thomaz Bellucci (BRA) 6-4 6-4
Agustin Calleri (ARG) def. Yen-Hsun Lu (TPE) 3-6 7-5 0-1 ret. (illness)

Doubles First Round
2 M. Melo (BRA)/A. Sa (BRA) def. M. Gicquel (FRA)/C. Rochus (BEL) 6-2 6-4
4 F. Cermak (CZE)/M. Mertinak (SVK) def. J. Cerretani (USA)/D. Vemic (SRB) 6-3 3-6 10-2

Tuesday’s Order of Play

Tomas Berdych managed to care of the German menace (in a good way). The fourth-seed escaped from Andreas Beck 1-6 6-4 7-6(4) in a 150 minute battle. The Czech will now meet Lleyton Hewitt, who beat the last the qualifier, Thiemo De Bakker. Berdych leads Hewitt 1-0 in their head-to-head matchup.

Wildcard Daniel Brand (pictured) bested Frenchman Julien Benneteau 6-4 2-6 7-6(6). The lone German in the draw will play Potito Starace in the quarterfinals. The two players have never met in an ATP event.

On the doubles side, fourth-seeds Rohan Bopanna and Travis Parrott had a routine win over James Cerretani and Jeremy Chardy. They will meet second-seeds Ashley Fisher and Jordan Kerr in the semifinals.

Thursday’s Matches
Singles Second Round
Potito Starace (ITA) def. Simone Bolelli (ITA) 6-4 7-6(5)
4 Tomas Berdych (CZE) def. Andreas Beck (GER) 1-6 6-4 7-6(4)
WC Daniel Brands (GER) def. Julien Benneteau 6-4 2-6 7-6(6)
WC Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) def. Q Thiemo De Bakker (NED) 6-3 6-4

Doubles Second Round
4 R. Bopanna (IND)/T. Parrott (USA) def. J. Cerretani (USA)/J. Chardy (FRA) 6-4 6-4
J. Hernych (CZE)/I. Minar (CZE) def. M. Kohlmann (GER)/A. Waske (GER) 7-6(4) 6-4
D. Gremelmayr/D. Meffert (GER) def. J. Murray (GBR)/P. Vizner (CZE) 7-5 6-2

Friday’s Order of Play

(Image: BMW Open)

Preview: BMW Open
City: Munich, Germany
Surface: Outdoor Clay
Championship Points: 250
2008 Singles Champion: Fernando Gonzalez
2008 Doubles Champions: Michael Berrer and Rainer Schuettler

Fernando Gonzales was set to defend his title this year but has pulled out of the tournament. He sprained his ankle in his Roman quarterfinal match with Juan Monaco. He did play in the semifinal against Rafael Nadal, but his ankle was still sore. The Chilean was playing well and would have been the odds on favorite this year.

The withdrawal now opens the draw. Marin Cilic, the second seed, should be the favorite, but he is not as proficient on clay as some of the others. He should have a good shot at the semifinals, but I would not be surprised if he was tripped up in the earlier rounds.

Lleyton Hewitt is back on tour after taking a break from the tour after his first round loss in Monte Carlo. He did win on clay in Houston and should have no trouble getting to the quarterfinals. From there, he could meet Andreas Beck or Mischa Zverev in the quarterfinals, and I think the Aussie might lose that battle. It is a shame these German upstarts have to play each other in the first round. They are both looking to breakthrough and what better time than in front of an eager German audience. Berdych is also in this quarter and could do well.

Julien Benneteau now breathes a sigh of relief, as he was scheduled to play Gonzalez in the first round, but now plays a lucky loser. Clay is not really his surface, and I would not be surprised if someone tripped him up in the early rounds. His portion of the draw is now the least predictable.

The main beneficiary of the Gonzalez withdrawal is Nicolas Almagro. He is an excellent clay court player and the most proficient in the tournament, but has not had a great year. He did successfully defend his title in Mexico, but his European clay season has been a disaster. This could be a good opportunity for another title and build some confidence for Madrid. His only problem is Mikhail Youzhny, who he could meet in the second round. If he can pass the Russian, he has a pretty good shot at the title.


Tournament Draw
Singles / Doubles

Tournament Malfeasance
Andreas Beck (GER) vs. Mischa Zverev (GER)
Nicolas Kiefer (GER) vs. Ernest Gulbis (LAT)
Evgeny Korolev (RUS) vs. Jeremy Chardy (FRA)

Monday’s Order of Play

(Image: Getty Images)

ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament

Julien Benneteau upset the fourth-seed Nikolay Davydenko of Russia in straight sets. It seems the Frenchman is fired up this week, so let's hope this continues this year. He moves on to the quarterfinals and awaits the winner of the Monfils-Llodra match.



Rafael Nadal lost the first set to Simone Bolelli. He then proceeded to get down to business and rallied to win last two sets. Nadal will play the young talent, Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria in the second round. This is the Spaniard’s first match since his Australian open win.


AP

Dutchman Jesse Huta Galung stayed close with Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga but lost in straight sets. Galung was the last Dutch player left in the tournament. Tsonga will play Russian Dmitry Tursunov in the next round.


AP

Singles Round of 32:
1 Rafael Nadal def. Simone Bolelli 4-6 6-2 7-5
Gilles Simon def. Philipp Kohlschreiber 7-5 7-6(1) 7
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga def. wc Jesse Huta Galung 7-6(4) 7-6(4)
Mario Ancic def. Rainer Schuettler 7-5 6-2
Michael Llodra def. Ivo Karlovic 6-4 3-6 6-4
LL Marc Gicquel def. Q Evgueni Korolev 3-6 6-3 6-2

Singles Round of 16:
Julien Benneteau def. 3 Nikolay Davydenko 6-3 6-2
Mikhail Youzhny def. 6 David Ferrer 6-2 3-6 6-2

Doubles Quarterfinals:
2 L. Dlouhy/L. Paes def. I. Andreev/M. Matkowski 6-2 6-1

RICK NEDERSTIGT/AFP/Getty Images

Rafael Nadal and partner, Ignacio Coll-Riudavets lost to the French team of Arnold Clement and Michael Llodra in straight sets. The match took a little over an hour. The victory was some consolation for Clement since he lost earlier to Dmitry Tursunov in singles.


Getty Images

Julien Benneteau beat Feliciano Lopez in three sets. Benneteau is one of nine French players in the tournament and the first Frenchman to advance. He will meet Nikolay Davydenko, who is back after an injury, in the next round.

Singles Round of 32:
Dmitry Tursunov def. Q Arnaud Clement 6-0 6-3
Julien Benneteau def. Feliciano Lopez 6-4 5-7 6-2
Mikhail Youzhny def. Q Laurent Recouderc 6-4 6-4
3 Nikolay Davydenko def. Igor Andreev 6-3 6-2
Andreas Seppi def. wc Thiemo De Bakker 6(5)-7 6-2 7-6(1)

Doubles Round of 16:
4 J. Knowle /A. Ram def. wc J. Auckland /A. Murray 6-3 6-4
T. Berdych /J. Melzer def. S. Aspelin /P. Vizner 6-4 6-4
A. Clement /M. Llodra def. wc I. Coll /R. Nadal 6-3 6-4