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)

Team Spain enters their Davis Cup matchup pretty banged up. Rafael Nadal, Fernando Verdasco and lastly Juan Carlos Ferrero all pulled out with injuries. Spain debuted today in Longrona, Spain against Switzerland with its C team – David Ferrer, Nicolas Almagro, Tommy Robredo and Marcel Granollers.

Almagro is recovering from a wrist injury, and Robredo is not having the best year. Granollers has had success on the doubles side over the last two years and has even won a title with Robredo. Ferrer is their only rock. If the Spanish were going to be picked off, it would be this weekend.

Almagro opened well against Stanislas Wawrinka and put away the first set. The 24-year-old Swiss was able to get back into the match by taking the second set. The two players battled it out until the final set. The world no. 40 went up a break, and it looked like he would be able to put Wawrinka away. He instead allowed the Swiss back in to the match, and world no. 20 was somehow able to win the match 6-3 4-6 6-3 5-7 6-3 in just under four hours of play to put Switzerland up 1-0.

Ferrer then came out in the next rubber and put in a solid performance against Marco Chiudinelli. Though he disappeared in the second set, the Spaniard was able to sneak off with the set and slam the door in the third set. He beat Chiudinelli 6-2 7-6(5) 6-1 in under 2 ½ hours of play to level the Davis Cup tie 1-1.

Granollers and Robredo will play Yves Allegro and Wawrinka tomorrow and have a good shot at winning. Ferrer has solid odds against Wawrinka with a 4-2 record for the fourth rubber. The Spaniard also leads their meetings on clay 3-1.

If Spain loses in doubles, it has a much tougher field to hoe. Almagro should be able to beat Chiudinelli, but his wrist issues could complicate matters. It would not be surprising if Coach Alberto Costa substitutes Robredo to play the final rubber, though current world no. 23 is not having a great year with a 3-5 singles record.

Spain vs. Switzerland
Friday’s Results
R1 – Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) def. Nicolas Almagro (ESP) 3-6 6-4 3-6 7-5 6-3
R2 – David Ferrer (ESP) def. Marco Chiudinelli (SUI) 6-2 7-6(5) 6-1

Saturday’s Match
R3 – M. Granollers (ESP)/T. Robredo (ESP) vs. Y. Allegro (ESP)/S. Wawrinka (SUI)

(Images: AP)

David Ferrer and Juan Carlos Ferrero faced off in the final of the Copa Telmex. The two Spaniards slugged it out in a 2-hour-and-32-minute match. Ferrero had to rally but eventually outlasted his friend and business partner 5-7 6-4 6-3. To be fair, Ferrer played a lot of tennis over the last two days and had to pull out of doubles yesterday due to fatigue.

Ferrero is now the new Tommy Robredo. Last year, Robredo won the Brazilian and Argentinian legs of the Latin American swing, and now another Spaniard does the same this year. The former world no. 1 has won two titles in a row. The new championship brings his career-titles total to 14.

Almost a year ago, the 30 year old had not won a title in 5 ½ years after struggling for a long time with injuries. In the meantime, the former French Open champion has now won three titles. It is amazing what happens when he is not injured for extended periods of time. This week’s title should move Ferrero inside the top 20 next week.

Ferrero and Ferrer complete the LA swing in Mexico next week. We shall see if Ferrero can pry the title out of Nicolas Almagro’s hands and win his third-straight title.

Championship Sunday
Singles Final
2 Juan Carlos Ferrero (ESP) def. 1 David Ferrer (ESP) 5-7 6-4 6-3

Doubles Final
4 S. Prieto (ARG)/H. Zeballos (ARG) def. S. Greul (GER)/P. Luczak (AUS) 7-6(4) 6-3

Saturday’s Matches
Singles Quarterfinals
1 David Ferrer (ESP) def. 6 Igor Andreev (RUS) 7-5 6-2
4 Juan Monaco (ARG) def. 8 Horacio Zeballos (ARG) 7-5 6-1

Singles Semifinals
1 David Ferrer (ESP) def. Albert Montanes 6-1 6-1
2 Juan Carlos Ferrero (ESP) def. 4 Juan Monaco (ARG) 6-2 7-6(7)

Doubles Quarterfinals
4 S. Prieto (ARG)/H. Zeballos (ARG) def. WC L. Arnold Ker (ARG)/B. Dabul (ARG) 2-6 6-4 10-6

Doubles Semifinals
4 S. Prieto (ARG)/H. Zeballos (ARG) def. N. Almagro (ESP)/S. Ventura (ESP) 6-1 7-6(5)
S. Greul (GER)/P. Luczak (AUS) def. D. Ferrer (ESP)/R. Ramirez Hidalgo (ESP) – Walkover (Ferrer – fatigue)

(Image: Copa Telmex)

Saturday was marked with retirements and walkovers. Qualifier Stefan Koubek retired against Fernando Verdasco. Twentieth-seed Mikhail Youzhny withdrew with a wrist injury that developed during his epic match with Richard Gasquet in the first round. The Russian's withdrawal gave Pole Lukasz Kubot a walkover.

In the States, everyone’s favorite tennis sportscasters hyped the Hewitt-Baghdatis match as the match of the century. With their delusional pronouncements last night, the viewer would have had the impression that Marcos Baghdatis had actually won a grand slam. The reality is Baghdatis has won four career titles, with no grand slams or masters titles among them. After all the hype, the match ended with a whimper with Lleyton Hewitt trouncing Baghdatis and the Cypriots’ subsequent withdrawal in the second set from the match. Assholes.

The rest of the seeded players progressed pretty easily in straight sets with Djokovic and Davydenko moving quickly and quietly through the draw. The match of the day was 10-seed Jo-Wilfred Tsonga versus 18-seed Tommy Haas.

The two players met once before in Halle last year with the German veteran winning that meeting on grass. Tsonga had an easy time progressing through the first rounds this week. Haas, on the other hand, had a much difficult road by drawing Janko Tipsarevic in the second round and getting caught in a five-set match with the Serb.

Tsonga and Haas started evenly with both players staying on serve. In the ninth game of the first set, Tsonga broke Haas and was able to win the opening set. The German returned the favor in the second set. In the third set, errors crept into the 18-seed’s game. Tsonga took advantage by breaking Haas twice and taking control of the match.

In the fourth and final set, the two players traded breaks and were even at 5-5. Haas had a sloppy game eleven, and 10-seed broke the veteran for the final time. The Frenchman held at love for the set and the match. After 2 hours and 28 minutes, Tsonga sealed the deal 6-4 3-6 6-1 7-5.

Tsonga will now meet 26-seed Nicolas Almagro in the round of 16. The two players have never met in ATP competition.

Saturday’s Results
Singles Third Round
1 Roger Federer (SUI) def. 31 Albert Montanes (ESP) 6-3 6-4 6-4
3 Novak Djokovic (SRB) def. Denis Istomin (UZB) 6-1 6-1 6-2
6 Nikolay Davydenko (RUS) def. 30 Juan Monaco (ARG) 6-0 6-3 6-4
9 Fernando Verdasco (ESP) def Q Stefan Koubek (AUT) 6-1 ret. (illness)
10 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) def. 18 Tommy Haas (GER) 6-4 3-6 6-1 7-5
Lukasz Kubot (POL) def. 20 Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) walkover (right wrist)
22 Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) def. Marcos Baghdatis (CYP) 6-0 4-2 ret. (right shoulder)
26 Nicolas Almagro (ESP) def. Alejandro Falla (COL) 6-4 6-3 6-4

Doubles Second Round
3 L. Dlouhy (CZE)/L Paes (IND) def. L. Arnold Ker (ARG)/ H. Tecau (ROU) 7-5 6-3
M. Kohlmann (GER)/J. Nieminen (FIN) def. C. Fleming (GBR)/K. Skupski (GBR) 3-6 6-4 6-3
A. Clement (FRA)/J. Erlich (ISR) def. F. Lopez (ESP)/R. Schuettler (GER) 6-3 7-5
F. Gonzalez (CHI)/I. Ljubicic (CRO) def. C. Ball (AUS)/S. Huss (AUS) 5-7 7-6(3) 7-5
I. Karlovic (CRO)/D. Vemic (SRB) def. WC K. Hensel (AUS)/ G. Jones (AUS) 3-6 7-5 7-5
J. Isner (USA)/ S. Querrey (USA) def. J. Benneteau (FRA) /S. Darcis (BEL) 6-4 6-0
L. Mayer (ARG)/H. Zeballos (ARG) def. I. Andreev (RUS)/E. Korolev (KAZ) 6-3 6-2

Sunday’s Matches
Singles Round of 16
2 Rafael Nadal (ESP) vs. Ivo Karlovic (CRO)
4 Juan Martin del Potro (ARG) vs. 14 Marin Cilic (CRO)
5 Andy Murray (GBR) vs. John Isner (USA)
7 Andy Roddick (USA) vs. 11 Fernando Gonzalez (CHI)

Doubles Third Round
1 B. Bryan (USA)/M. Bryan (USA) vs. 17 J. Melzer (AUT)/P. Petzschner (GER)
2 D. Nestor (CAN)/N. Zimonjic (SRB) vs. P. Marx (GER)/I. Zelenay (SVK)
J. Brunstrom (SWE)/J.J. Rojer (AHO) vs. Arnaud Clement (FRA)/J. Erlich (ISR)

Sunday’s Order of Play

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On Monday, Ivo “Dr. Ivo or MC Ivo” Karlovic took out 13-seed Radek Stepanek. The Czech became the first casualty of the Australian Open. The opening day was a rather harmless when compared to day two of the tournament.


Tuesday was a fragile day for seeded players. Twenty-third-seed Juan Carlos Ferrero and 25-seed Sam Querrey lost their Aussie debuts. A big stunner was 16-seed Tommy Robredo’s exit. The Spaniard is usually so consistent. Perhaps the biggest stunner of them all was eighth-seed Robin Soderling.

Columbian Santiago Giraldo (pic. left) took out Tommy Robredo. The world no. 114 did not qualify at last year’s US Open, but he was able to surpass handily the Spaniard on 6-4 6-2 6-2. Giraldo now advances Pole Lukaz Kubot in second round.

Robin Soderling lost to world no. 113 Marcel Granollers (pic. right) of Spain. The Spaniard rallied to eventually kneecap Soderling 5-7 2-6 6-4 6-4 6-2. The 23 year old will meet Columbian Alejandro Fallo in the next round.

Soderling’s departure now opens his quarter of the draw and gives Spaniard Nicolas Almagro a good shot at the round of 16. The 26 seed has never made it to the round of 16 in a grand slam on hardcourt. He did make it to the quarterfinals at Roland Garros in 2008, which is his best grand slam result to date.

Tuesday’s Results

Wednesday’s Order of Play

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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

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As a team it is a goal we put together last year. We try to win the group and now we try to go to the World Group. For me specially is going to be the most important tie. Depending on this result, I am gonna know what my future is going to be like. If we go to the World Group next year, it will be an extra motivation to keep playing tennis.

-Nicolas Lapentti

Let's hope he is not implying that he trying to retire from tennis. First, it was Marat Safin and now him. We can only handle so much loss. Nicolas Kiefer better not get any ideas.

Rafael Nadal may not be out of the clear in his return to form. He was able to secure a straight-set victory against Nicolas Almagro 7-5 6-4 6-4, but re-aggravated a stomach injury that occurred two weeks ago in Cincinnati. It was not the prettiest of matches, as there were 13 breaks of serve, but the Mallorcan will take the win.

He advances to the round of 16 to play the winner of the Acasuso-Monfils match. Let’s hope this injury is minor and does not affect him in the second week, where the matches become more difficult.

(Image: Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Fernando Verdasco had an easy time with Paul Cuevas today in New Haven. He beat the Chilean 6-0 6-3 after 49 minutes of play. Next up for the Spaniard is Italian Andreas Seppi, who he happens to be 4-0 against. Hopefully for Verdasco, there are no surprises for the second-seed tomorrow.

Though Verdasco had an easy time today, some seeds did not fare as well. Philipp Petzschner and Andreas Beck lost. Ninth-seed Nicolas Almagro -- who has struggled after the South American clay-court season this year -- lost to German Bjorn Phau 2-6 6-3 7-5. Tenth-seed Jeremy Chardy went down in a three setter against compatriot Florent Serra.

The shocker of the day was third-seed Tommy Robredo who lost to Jose Acasuso 3-6 7-5 7-6(5). Those Argentine veterans (Canas, Acasuso) are always trouble, and they strike at the most inopportune time. Acasuso now advances to play Igor Kunitsyn tomorrow. The two players have never met in ATP play.


(Image: Denise/tennisfiend)

Fernando Verdasco outlasted countryman Nicolas Almagro 6-2 7-6(4) 7-6(8) after 2 hours and 47 minutes of play. Verdasco pretty much had his way with Almagro until the third set, which lasted 85 minutes. He could not quite closeout the match but was able to eventually get the job done in the tiebreak.

Next up for Verdasco is tenth-seed Nikolay Davydenko. Davydenko leads their head-to-head matchup 4-1, but the last time they played was in Rome in 2006. A lot has changed in three years, so this matchup should be a good one.

(Image: FFT)

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)

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)

Qualifier Fabio Fognini, who is currently ranked number 108, rallied to upset Tomas Berdych 1-6 6-3 6-3. The 21-year-old has not advanced passed the round of 16 this year and is 6-7 as of today. He will play Marin Cilic in the next round. The two players have never met in an ATP event.

Albert Montanes upset Nicolas Almagro 7-6(6) 6-4 7-6(5). After Nadal, Almagro is probably Spain’s second best player on clay. This victory is Montanes’ second-consectutive victory over Almagro. He will play wildcard Jean-Rene Lisnard of Monaco.

In the rematch of the Buenos Aires final, Juan Monaco exacted revenge on the eleventh-seed Tommy Robredo 6-2 6-4. He will play the German troublemaker, Andreas Beck in the round of 16. The two players have never met in ATP competition. This could be an exciting match. Both players are vying for the chance to play Roger Federer, should he make it through the next two rounds.

With all of the upsets, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, David Ferrer and David Nalbandian restored some order with their victories.

In doubles, Nikolay Davydenko teamed up with Austrian doubles-specialist Oliver to beat the French duo of Gilles Simon and Jeremy Chardy 6-4 6-1. Next up for Davydenko and Marach are sixth-seeds Frystenberg and Matkowski.

Some good news for France today, Marc Gicquel and Paul-Henri Mathieu bested the doubles specialists Arnold Ker and Cuevas from South America. They will play second-seeds Nestor and Zimonjic.

After his upset in singles yesterday, Nicolas Kiefer and partner, Marin Cilic upset fifth-seeds Brunno Soares and Kevin Ullyett.

(images: AP)

Nicolas Almagro successfully defended his Acapulco title. He defeated Gael Monfils in straight sets 6-4 6-4. The clay court specialist brought his big serve and forehand last night, which proved to be too much for the Frenchman. Almagro came up with big shots when he needed to and was always in control of the match.This is the Spaniard's fifth career ATP title, all on clay, and first title of the year.


Saturday’s Matches:
Singles Final
4 Nicolas Almagro (ESP) def. 2 Gael Monfils (FRA) 6-4 6-4

Doubles Final
1 Frantisek Cermak (CZE)/Michal Mertinak(SVK) def. 2 Lukasz Kubot (POL)/Oliver Marach (AUT) 4-6 6-4 10-7

(image: Mexsport/David Leah)

VS.

Friday’s Results:
Singles Semifinals
4 Nicolas Almagro (ESP) def. Martin Vassallo Arguello (ARG) 6-4 6-4
2 Gael Monfils (FRA) def. Jose Acasuso (ARG)

Doubles Semifinals
1 Frantisek Cermak (CZE)/Michal Mertinak(SVK) def. 3 Travis Parrott (USA)/Filip Polasek (SVK) 6-3 6-1 2
Lukasz Kubot (POL)/Oliver Marach (AUT) def. 4 Paul Hanley (AUS)/ Jordan Kerr(AUS) 6-2 3-6 11-9

Saturday’s Matches:
Singles Final
2 Gael Monfils (FRA) vs. 4 Nicolas Almagro (ESP)

Doubles Final
1 Frantisek Cermak (CZE)/Michal Mertinak(SVK) vs. 2 Lukasz Kubot (POL)/Oliver Marach (AUT)

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(images: Mexport/Jorge Reyes)

Mexsport/Osvaldo Aguilar

Third seed Tommy Robredo was upset by Argentine Jose Acasuso in straight sets. Robredo was on a roll for the last month, but Acasuso broke that momentum with a convincing win over the Spaniard in straight sets. The Argentine exacted revenge on Robredo since the Spaniard has bested him in the semifinals of last two tournaments.

Acasuso will play second-seed Gael Monfils in the semifinals. The two players have never played in an ATP tournament.


AP

Nicolas Almagro is through to the semifinals after dismissing Daniel Gimeno-Traver in straight sets. The defending champion will play Martin Vassallo next.



In doubles news, Oregonian Travis Parrot and Slovakian Filip Polasek beat Lucas Arnold Ker and Nicolas Lapentti in the quarterfinals. Parrott and Polasek are playing well this year where they have made it to the semifinals in Brisbane in January and the finals in Memphis last week. The third-seeds will meet the Czecho-Slovakian duo of Frantisek Cermak and Michal Mertinak, who are the top seeds, in the semifinals. The last time the teams met was Brisbane this year and Cermak and Mertinak prevailed in straight sets.

Thursday’s Results: Singles Quarterfinals
Martin Vassallo def. Daniel Koellerer (AUT) 6-3 7-6(3)
Nicolas Almagro (ESP) def. Daniel Gimeno-Traver (ESP) 6-2, 7-6(2)
Jose Acasuso (ARG) def. Tommy Robredo (ESP) 7-5 6-2
Gael Monfils (FRA) def. Leonardo Mayer (ARG) 6-3 6-7(4) 4-1 Ret'd

Doubles Quarterfinals
P. Hanley (AUS)/Jordan KERR (AUS) def. B. Echagaray (MEX)/S. Gonzalez (MEX)
6-3 6-4
T. Parrott (USA)/F. Polasek (SVK) vs. L. Arnold (ARG)/N. Lapentti (ECU) 7-5 4-6 10-5
Lukasz Kubot (POL)/O. Marach (AUT) def. P. Starace (ITA)/M. Vassallo Arguello (ARG) 6-3 6-3 11-9
F. Cermak (CZE)/M. Mertnak (SVK) def. J. Ignacio Chela (ARG)/P. Cuevas (URU) 4-6 6-3 10-8

Wednesday's Order of Play

Frenchman Gael Monfils beat countryman Olivier Patience in straight sets. He will play Thomaz Bellucci in the second round.



Defending champion, Nicolas Almagro cruised to victory over Mexico's Santiago Gonzalez in straight sets. He will face Italian Potito Starace next.



Former World No. 1 Carlos Moya won his first round match against countryman Pablo Andujar while looking very serious. He will face Leonard Mayer of Argentina in the next round.

Tuesday’s Matches:
Singles Round of 32
Daniel Koellerer (AUT) def. 1 David Nalbandian (ARG) 6-4 6-2
2 Gael Monfils (FRA) def. Oliver Patience (FRA) 7-6(4) 6-4
3 Tommy Robredo (ESP) def. Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo (ESP) v6-4 3-6 6-3
4 Nicolas Almagro (ESP) def. Santiago Gonzalez (MEX) 6-4 6-2
5 Jose Acasuso (ARG) vs Brian Dabul (ARG) 6-3 7-5
7 Marcel Granollers (ESP) def. Fabio Fognini (ITA) 7-6(3) 7-5
8 Carlos Moya (ESP) def. Pablo Andujar (ESP) 6-4 6-7 6-2
Kevin Kim (USA) def. Juan Monaco (ARG) 1-6 3-0 Ret'd
Alberto Martin (ESP) def. Marcos Daniel (BRA) 6-4 7-5

Doubles Round of 16
L. Arnold Ker (ARG)/N. Lapentti (ECU) def. J. Cerretani/I. Navarro (ESP) 7-6(3) 7-6(8)
Juan Ignacio Chela (ARG)/P. Cuevas (URU) def. Oscar Hernandez (ESP) Albert Montanes (ESP) 6-3 6-1
P. Starace (ITA)/M. Vassallo Arguello (ARG) def. T. Bellucci (BRA) /D. Junqueira (ARG) 6-1 4-6 15-13

Wednesday's Order of Play

(Mexsport)

Deco Pires / FotoJump

Defending champion, Nicolas Almagro of Spain lost to Federico Gil of Portugal.


Deco Pires / FotoJump

Another Spaniard, Juan Carlos Ferrero lost to Brazilian Thomaz Bellucci in a three set match.

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Deco Pires / FotoJump

The only Spaniard headed to the semifinals is second-seed Tommy Robredo. He beat compatriot Alberto Martin in straight sets. Robredo also won today in doubles with partner Marcel Granollers.

Singles Quarterfinals:
SE Frederico Gil def. 1 Nicolas Almagro 7-6(5) 7-6(4)
2 Tommy Robredo def. Alberto Martin 6-2 6-2
4 Jose Acasuso def. 6 Eduardo Schwank 6-4 6-3
Thomaz Bellucci def. Juan Carlos Ferrero 7-6(5) 1-6 6-3

Doubles Quarterfinals:
2 L. Kubot/O. Marach def. I. Navarro Pastor/M. V. Arguello 6-3 6-2
4 M. Granollers/T. Robredo def. D. Junqueira/E. Schwank 6-1 6-3
L. Arnold/J. Monaco def. wc T. Bellucci/S. Prieto 6-4 7-6(5)

AP

Nicolas Almagro of Spain had a routine win over countrymen Martin Vassallo Arguello. He plays Federico Gil of Portugal in the quarterfinals.


João Pires / FotoJump

Juan Carlos Ferrero was all business today. He won in straight sets and only lost three games against Argentine Brian Dabul. Ferrero will meet Brazilian Thomaz Bellucci in the quarterfinals.


Deco Pires / FotoJump

Tommy Robredo rolled over Fabio Fognini of Italy today. He moves on to play compatriot Alberto Martin in the next round.

Singles Round of 16:
1 Nicolas Almagro def. Martin Vassallo Arguello 6-4 6-4 2
Tommy Robredo def. Fabio Fognini 6-2 6-2 4
Jose Acasuso def. Pablo Cuevas 6-3 6-2
Frederico Gil def. 5 Marcel Granollers 7-5 3-6 6-3 6
Eduardo Schwank def. Q Rui Machado 2-6 7-6(4) 7-6(6)
Alberto Martin def. 7 Nicolas Devilder 6-2 7-6(4)
Juan Carlos Ferrero def. Brian Dabul 6-1 6-2
Thomaz Bellucci def. Q Lukasz Kubot 5-7 6-4 6-4

Doubles Round of 16:
D. Junqueira/E. Schwank def. P. Cuevas/B. Dabul 6-3 6-1 2
L. Arnold/J. Monaco def. wc R. Hocevar /J. Souz vs. 2-6 6-310-7
I. Navarro Pastor/M. V. Arguello def. T. Alves/B. Soares 6-2 5-7 10-4
L. Kubot/O. Marach def. N. Almagro/R. Ramirez-Hidalgo 6-4 6-4

Doubles Quarterfinals: O. Hernandez/A. Montanes def. N. Lapentti/S. Roitman 6-2 6-2