Columbian Santiago Giraldo defeated American wildcard Vincent Spadea 6-2 6-3. Today's win brings his year-to-date record to 4-3. The 22 year old, who turned pro four years ago, is off to a respectable start this year.

The current world no. 98 will advance to play Jeremy Chardy in the next round. Chardy took out in straight sets Xavier Malisse, who has been playing pretty well of late.

Giraldo and Chardy have never played each other before in ATP competition. The Frenchman is not having the greatest start this year. His record is currently 2-5 for the year, so their second-round match could be an interesting one tomorrow.

Tuesday’s Results
Singles First Round
2 Ivo Karlovic (CRO) def. Philipp Petzschner (GER) 6-3 7-6(3)
3 Benjamin Becker (GER) def. Kei Nishikori (JPN) 6-3 1-6 6-0
4 Jeremy Chardy (FRA) def. Xavier Malisse (BEL) 6-3 7-6(5)
6 Florian Mayer (GER) def. Q Nick Lindahl 6-4 6-1
7 James Blake (USA) leads Taylor Dent (USA) 6-1 3-6 5-3 (to continue Wednesday)
Mischa Zverev (GER) def. 8 Michael Russell (USA) 6-4 3-6 7-5
Leonardo Mayer (ARG) def. Q Kevin Anderson (RSA) 7-6(7) 7-6(2)
Ernests Gulbis (LAT) def. Q Ryan Harrison (USA) 6-4 7-6(5)
Robin Haase (NED) def. Q Robert Kendrick (USA) 7-6(4) 7-6(0)
Mardy Fish (USA) def. Christophe Rochus (BEL) 5-7 6-3 3-3 RET.
Jarkko Nieminen (FIN) def. Paolo Lorenzi (ITA) 6-3 6-4
Daniel Brands (GER) def. WC Sebastien Grosjean (FRA) 3-6 6-3 6-2
Santiago Giraldo (COL) def. WC Vincent Spadea (USA) 6-2 6-3

Wednesday’s Order of Play

(Image: Denise/tennisfiend)

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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(Images: AP/Andrew Brownbill, AP/Shuji Kajiyama)

Colombian up-and-comer Santiago Giraldo won the Natomas challenger title last week. The 21 year old won his third challenger title this year and six for his career. Let's hope he makes a speedy transition to the pros (Sacramento Bee)

Nadal warns of tour overload and thinks the season is too long. After all the nine retirements in Shanghai this week, you would think the ATP might want to be proactive about the situation (Guardian)

Roddick chimed in about the season (BBC Sport)

Novak Djokovic takes both sides into account (The Independent)

Marat Safin adds that he was talking about the season length five years ago. The Russian took time to slam Roddick for his newfound position on the matter, and then takes a swipe at Berdych too. Boy, I am going to miss him (The Globe and Mail)

Maybe they should get rid of the Race (The Globe and Mail)

Andy Roddick will be out with a knee injury for three weeks (NYT)

Czech Ivo Minar is banned for eight months in a doping ban (Fox Sports)

Safin feels the love in Shanghai (Open Court)

The many sides of Djokovic (ESPN)

The case for Juan Carlos Ferrero to play against the Czech Republic for the Spanish Davis Cup Team (Times Online)

Juan Martin del Potro wants to build on his success (CBS)

Novak Djokovic almost played for Great Britain (Times Online)

You wouldn’t know if from tennis common "wisdom" in the States, but Nadal is actually the most popular player worldwide on tour. They pretend it is Roger Federer (CCTV)

(Image: Denise/tennisfiend)