I did not expect these guys to leave the competition so early on, maybe except Baghdatis, who lost against Sweden's Robin Soderling 3-6 6-3 4-6 in one hour and 43 minutes. Baghdatis, number 21 in the ATP rankings reached the semifinals in Marseille last week, where he was defeated by Croatian Mario Ancic. Soderling hit 10 aces and converted both break points. Soderling had a 2-1 record against Baghdatis before today's contest. Soderling is heading twards a match with Jarko Nieminen (if the Finn can dispose of Fernando Verdasco, a thing i think he will do...), in a rematch of last week's first round in Marseille. Soderling won that match 6-3 5-7 7-5. Soderling is 3-1 this season while fell at 5-4.
The No. 4 seed here, Michael Youzhny, a player i was counting on to play well and reach one of the superior rounds here in Rotterdam has fallen to Jarko Tipsarevic in straight sets, in a match that i did not anticipate to go that way, while Juan Carlos Ferrero (seed No. 7) lost to qualifier Gabashvili 7-5 6-1.
In an exciting match, the tallest player in the top 100 (Karlovic) has blown out the smallest player in the top 100 (O. Rochus) 6-1 6-2.
Another match i was not expecting to turn out the way it did was Ph. Kohlschreiber's loss to qualifier Michael Zverev 7-5 7-5.
A match that was not that much of an upset for me was the Robredo - Mahut clash, won by the latter 7-5 6-4. N. Davydenko managed to get past J. Hernych in straight sets, 6-3 6-3.
The No. 4 seed here, Michael Youzhny, a player i was counting on to play well and reach one of the superior rounds here in Rotterdam has fallen to Jarko Tipsarevic in straight sets, in a match that i did not anticipate to go that way, while Juan Carlos Ferrero (seed No. 7) lost to qualifier Gabashvili 7-5 6-1.
In an exciting match, the tallest player in the top 100 (Karlovic) has blown out the smallest player in the top 100 (O. Rochus) 6-1 6-2.
Another match i was not expecting to turn out the way it did was Ph. Kohlschreiber's loss to qualifier Michael Zverev 7-5 7-5.
A match that was not that much of an upset for me was the Robredo - Mahut clash, won by the latter 7-5 6-4. N. Davydenko managed to get past J. Hernych in straight sets, 6-3 6-3.
Tomorrow a few matches i think will be exciting :
Mahut vs. Gabashvili : Neither one of these players cannot be considered as a great player (No. 42 and No. 132 in the ATP rankings), but both players have shown good tennis in the last 2 weeks. I think this one will go to Nicolas Mahut.
Nadal vs Tursunov. It is interesting that these 2 player did not meet before, despite the fact that both players have been in the top ATP players for a while now. Nadal is playing his first match since the loss against Tsonga at the Australian Open. He looked good, but Tsonga was just great. Tursunov is a player i never knew how to predict. For instance, this year he won at Sydney, facing some tough opponents (Wawrinka, Gasquet, Grosjean, Santoro and Guccione), but afterwards lost in Melbourne against Sam Querrey, before losing to young Victor Troicki in the Davis Cup. To win a match against Nadal you have to be consistent and self-confident, because it is going to be a fight, and i don't think Tursunov is up to the task.
Berdych vs Ljubicic. This is a match made to be played indoors, both players being great in these conditions. Ljubicic started well this season, reaching the semifinal at Doha, but then lost all 3 matches at Kooyong before losing to Dutch player Robin Haase in the first round at the Australian Open. Berdych on the other hand has proven to be a consistent player. He does not defeat great players but does not lose against modest ones. His ranking may be a bit high in my opinion (12 in the ATP ranking), but i still think he will win this one.
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