It was a great day for the Czechs. Czech Tomas Berdych managed to outlast Mikhail Youzhny of Russia to capture the BMW Open title 6-4 4-6 7-6(5). It is his first title of the year and his fifth career title. In addition to the title and 71,700 euros, Berdych also won a BMW Z4 Roadster. Not bad, for a week’s worth of work.

In addition to singles, Czech pair Jan Hernych and Ivo Minar upset second-seeds Ashley Fisher and Jordan Kerr of Australia 6-4 6-4. The title is their first title of their careers and first title together.

Championship Sunday
Singles Final
4 Tomas Berdych (CZE) def. Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) 6-4 4-6 7-6(5)

Doubles Final
J. Hernych (CZE)/I. Minar (CZE) def. 2 A. Fisher (AUS)/J. Kerr (AUS) 6-4 6-4

(Image: AP)

Saturday’s Results
Singles Semifinals
Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) def. WC Daniel Brands (GER) 3-6 6-3 6-4
4 Tomas Berdych (CZE) def. Jeremy Chardy (FRA) 6-1 5-7 6-2

Doubles Semifinals
J. Hernych (CZE)/I. Minar (CZE) def. D. Gremelmayr (GER)/D. Meffert (GER) 6-3 6-1

Championship Sunday
Singles Final
4 Tomas Berdych (CZE) vs. Mikhail Youzhny (RUS)

Doubles Final
2 A. Fisher (AUS)/J. Kerr (AUS) vs. J. Hernych (CZE)/I. Minar (CZE)

Sunday’s Order of Play

Friday’s Results
Singles Quarterfinals
Jeremy Chardy (FRA) def. 2 Marin Cilic (CRO) 3-6 7-5 6-4
WC Daniel Brands def. Potito Starace 6-4 1-1 Ret’d
Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) def. 7 Paul-Henri Mathieu (FRA) 7-5 3-6 6-3
4 Tomas Berdych (CZE) def. WC Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) 4-6 6-3 7-6(4)

Doubles Semifinals
2 A. Fisher (AUS)/J. Kerr (AUS) def. 4 R. Bopanna (IND)/T. Parrott (USA) 7-6(2) 6-4

Saturday’s Matches
Singles Semifinals
Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) vs. WC Daniel Brands (GER)
4 Tomas Berdych (CZE) vs. Jeremy Chardy (FRA)

Doubles Semifinals
J. Hernych (CZE)/I. Minar (CZE) vs. D. Gremelmayr/D. Meffert (GER)

Saturday’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)

Andreas Beck cooks with chef Michael Besler at the BMW Open Lounge in Munich. The 23-year-old assisted the chief in making linguine salad with capers, basil, sun-dried tomatoes and crispy prosciutto. It was followed by saffron risotto with shrimp, artichokes and cherry tomatoes.

From the looks of things, it is a good thing Beck will always have tennis.

(Image: BMW Open)

It was a rough day for the seeds and the German players. Mikhail Youzhny sent third-seed Nicolas Almagro packing, and Jeremy Chardy ousted sixth-seed Nicolas Kiefer. On the doubles side, the Czech pair of Jan Hernych and Ivo Minar upset the top-seeds Mike and Bob Bryan. The Bavarian audience also witnessed three German singles players go down.

All was not so bad for the Germans. The German doubles pair of Michael Kohlmann and Alexander Waske defeated Italian Simon Bolelli and German Christopher Kas 6-4 4-6 10-8. They will play Hernych and Minar in the quarterfinals.

Second-seed Marin Cilic restored order by giving German Philipp Kohlscheiber a nasty beating 6-0 6-4 after 77 minutes of play. The Croatian is in the hunt for his third title of the year and will play Jeremy Chardy in the round of 16. The two players have never met in ATP competition.

On the other side of the draw, seventh-seed Paul-Henri Mathieu held it down against German Denis Gremelmayr 6-1 6-4. Mathieu will meet Youzhny in the round of 16. Youzhny is currently 3-0 over the Frenchman in their head-to-head match-up.

Wednesday’s Results
Singles Second Round
2 Marin Cilic (CRO) def. Philip Kohlschreiber (GER) 6-0 6-4
Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) def. 3 Nicolas Almagro (ESP) 6-4 7-6(8)
Jeremy Chardy (FRA) def. 6 Nicolas Kiefer (GER) 6-4 7-6(8)
7 Paul-Henri Mathieu (FRA) def. Denis Gremelmayr (GER) 6-1 6-4

Doubles First Round
J. Murray (GBR)/P. Vizner (CZE) def. P. Petzchner (GER)/A. Peya (AUT) 6-4 3-6 17-15
M. Kohlmann/A. Waske (GER) def. S. Bolelli (ITA)/C. Kas (GER) 6-4 4-6 10-8
J. Hernych (CZE)/I. Minar (CZE) def. 1 B. Bryan/M. Bryan 1-6 6-2 11-9

Doubles Second Round
2 A. Fisher (AUS)/J. Kerr (AUS) def. E. Gulbis (LAT)/I. Kunitsyn (RUS) 7-5 7-6(3)

Thursday’s Matches
Singles Second Round
Simone Bolelli (ITA) vs. Potito Starace (ITA)
Andreas Beck (GER) vs. Tomas Berdych (CZE)
Julien Benneteu vs. Daniel Brands (GER)
Theimo De Bakker (NED) vs. Lleyton Hewitt (AUS)

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

Thursday’s Order of Play

(Image: Matthias Huber)

The troublemaker of Monte Carlo and the troublemaker of Rome squared off in their first round match. Both players represent the future hopes of German tennis. When all was said and done, wildcard Andreas Beck ended up besting Mischa Zverev 6-3 6-4 after 87 minutes of play.

The 23-year-old Ravensburger is now 2-0 over the 21-year-old Hamburger in ATP events. Beck will play fourth-seed Tomas Berdych in second round. The two players have never met in ATP competition.

In other news, Lleyton Hewitt defeated German Philipp Petzschner 6-2 7-6(2) 7-6(8) in a hard-fought match. The win marks Hewitt's 500th win. The Aussie will play the Dutch qualifier Thiemo De Bakker in the second round.

Tuesday’s Matches
Singles First Round
2 Marin Cilic (CRO) def. Q Dieter Kindlmann (GER) 6-3 6-2
4 Tomas Berdych (CZE) def. Q Sascha Kloer (GER) 7-6(0) 6-4
Q Thiemo De Bakker (NED) def. 5 Rainer Schuettler (GER) 6-3 6-3
7 Paul-Henri Mathieu (FRA) def. LL Lamine Ouahab (ALG) 6-3 6-2
Potito Starace (ITA) def. 8 Igor Kunitsyn (RUS) 7-5 5-7 6-3
WC Andreas Beck (GER) def. Mischa Zverev (GER) 6-3 6-4
Denis Gremelmayr (GER) def. Martin Vassallo Arguello (ARG) 5-1 Ret’d
Julien Benneteau (FRA) def. Q Alexander Peya (AUT) 2-6 7-6(5) 7-5
WC Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) def. Philipp Petzschner (GER) 6-2 6-7(2) 7-6(8)
WC Daniel Brands (GER) def. Stefan Koubek (AUT) 6-3 7-6(2)
LL Stephane Bohli (SUI) def. Simone Bolleli (ITA) 3-6 6-2 6-3

Doubles First Round
2 A. Fisher (AUS)/J. Kerr (AUS) def. Alt M. Crugnola (ITA)/C. Haggard 6-3 6-2
J. Cerretani (USA)/J. Chardy (FRA) def. N. Kiefer (GER)/M. Zverev (GER) 6-7(4) 7-6(4) 10-7

Wednesday’s Matches
Singles Second Round
7 Paul-Henri Mathieu (FRA) vs. Denis Gremelmayr (GER)
3 Nicolas Almagro (ESP) vs. Mikhail Youzhny (RUS)
2 Marin Cilic (CRO) vs. Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER)
Nicolas Kiefer (GER) vs. Jeremy Chardy (FRA)

Doubles First Round
P. Petzchner (GER)/A. Peya (AUT) vs. J. Murray (GBR)/P. Vizner (CZE)
M. Kohlmann/A. Waske (GER) vs. S. Bolelli (ITA)/C. Kas (GER)
B. Bryan/M. Bryan vs. J. Hernych (CZE)/I. Minar (CZE)

Doubles Second Round
2 A. Fisher (AUS)/J. Kerr (AUS) vs. E. Gulbis (LAT)/I. Kunitsyn (RUS)

Wednesday's Order of Play

(Image: dpa)

The Germans are off to a good start. Nicolas Kiefer rallied to defeat Ernest Gulbis 2-6 6-3 6-2 after 92 minutes of play. The Latvian youngster has shown promise in previous years. Gulbis continues to struggle this year and recently fired his coach.

As for Kiefer, he now advances to play Frenchman Jeremy Chardy, who handled Evgeny Korolev pretty easily. The two players have never met in ATP competition. It will be the battle of the veteran versus the youngster.

The other German Philipp Kohlschreiber, who won the singles and doubles titles in 2007, advanced over compatriot Bjorn Phau after Phau had to retire due to a hand injury. He awaits the winner of the Cilic-Kindlmann match.


Sunday Results
Singles First Round
Nicolas Almagro (ESP) def. Jan Hernych (CZE) 6-3 6-4

Doubles First Round
E. Gulbis (LAT)/I. Kunitsyn (RUS) def. P. Starace (ITA)/M. Vassallo Arguello (ARG) 6-3 6-4

Monday Results
And The Qualifiers Are . . .
Thiemo De Bakker (NED) def. Marco Crugnola (ITA) 4-6 6-1 6-2
Dieter Kindlmann (GER) def. Stephane Bohli (SUI) 6-2 6-4
Alexander Peya def. Lamine Ouahab (ALG) 6-4 6-2
Sascha Kloer (GER) def. Amer Delic (USA) 7-5 4-6 7-6(0)

Singles First Round
Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) def. Ivo Minar (CZE) 6-3 7-6(5)
Nicolas Kiefer (GER) def. Ernest Gulbis (LAT) 2-6 6-3 6-2
Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) def. Bjorn Phau (GER) 6-2 2-1 Ret’d
Jeremy Chardy (FRA) def. Evgeny Korolev (RUS) 6-3 6-3

Doubles First Round
WC D. Gremelmayr (GER)/ D. Meffert (GER) def. Alt P. Marx(GER)/F. Moser (GER) 3-6 6-3 10-1
4 R. Bopanna (IND)/T. Parrott (USA) def. N. Almagro (ESP)/S. Prieto (ARG) 6-4 5-7 10-8

Tuesday’s Matches
Singles First Round
2 Marin Cilic (CRO) vs. Q Dieter Kindlmann (GER)
4 Tomas Berdych (CZE) vs. Q Sascha Kloer (GER)
5 Rainer Schuettler (GER) vs. Q Thiemo De Bakker (NED)
7 Paul-Henri Mathieu (FRA) vs. LL Lamine Ouahab (ALG)
8 Igor Kunitsyn (RUS) vs. Potito Starace (ITA)
WC Andreas Beck (GER) vs. Mischa Zverev (GER)
Martin Vassallo Arguello (ARG) vs. Denis Gremelmayr (GER)
Q Alexander Peya (AUT) vs. Julien Benneteau (FRA)
WC Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) vs. Philipp Petzschner (GER)
WC Daniel Brands (GER) vs. Stefan Koubek (AUT)
LL Stephane Bohli (SUI) vs. Simone Bolleli (ITA)

Doubles First Round
2 A. Fisher (AUS)/J. Kerr (AUS) vs. Alt M. Crugnola (ITA)/C. Haggard
N. Kiefer (GER)/M. Zverev (GER) vs. J. Cerretani (USA)/J. Chardy (FRA)

Tuesday’s Order of Play

(Image: dpa)

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)