Top-seeded David Nalbandian (pictured) and No. 2 seed Mario Ancic were among the list of seeded players to advance on Thursday at the If Stockholm Open in Sweden. Japanese teenager sensation Kei Nishikori, who is a wild card entrant, also advanced by defeating former World No. 12 Dominik Hrbaty.Despite a ranking of No. 771 in the South African Airways ATP Rankings, Joachim Johansson was granted a wild card into the tournament after his three years worth of shoulder injuries had heeled. After accepting the wild card in Stockholm, he announced that he would make a full return to the ATP Tour starting in 2009 after getting back in shape after the completion of this tournament. His last match on tour was at this event last year where he defeated Carlos Berlocq in the first round before withdrawing in the second round due to illness.
Nalbandian, who is looking to win his 9th career title, didn’t want anything to do with the hoopla of Johansson’s return to professional tennis, as he crushed him, 6-3, 6-2, in 56 minutes. The Corboda, Argentina native hammered fives aces while losing only five service points throughout the entire match. Nalbandian, who had previously never played Johansson, was able to break serve the 6’6” Swede’s serve on three of four opportunities. Johnasson, who was once ranked as high as No. 9 in the world, did not have any break point chances throughout the match. Next up for Nalbandian is No. 7 seed Albert Montanes of Spain, who defeated Swiss qualifier George Bastl, 1-6, 6-3, 6-2.
No. 2 seed Ancic, who missed some of the summer due to a virus, came out firing against Steve Darcis, winning, 7-6(4), 6-4, to improve his career record against the Belgian to 2-0. The 6’5” Croatian smashed 13 aces, while only surrendering four points on his first serve. A finalist earlier this year in Marseille and a quarterfinalist at Wimbledon, Ancic earned his 31st win of the season and will next meet Nishikori in the quarterfinals.
Nishikori came out victorious in a slugfest against Hrabty, winning, 6-1, 1-6, 7-5. The 18-year old, who put his name amongst the future stars of the ATP Tour after beating James Blake to win the Delray Beach title, won his 16th match of the year.
“This is the first time I'm winning so constantly and it surprises me,” admitted Nishikori. “Of course I haven't faced anyone from the Top 10, but it gives me confidence. Now I wish to advance to the semifinals.”
The rising Japanese star is currently ranked at a career best No. 77 after starting the year ranked No. 289. Nishikori will meet Ancic for the first time in hopes of reaching the semifinals in his first appearance in Stockholm.
Another winner on Thursday was No. 3 seed and two-time finalist Jarkko Nieminen, who defeated French veteran Arnaud Clement, 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-2, in two hours and 47 minutes. The Finland native hammered seven aces, won 71 percent of first serve points and was able to break serve on four occasions. With his victory today over the Frenchman, Nieminen advances to the quarterfinals for the third straight year. He will next contest Oscar Hernandez of Spain for a spot in the semifinals. Hernandez, who is currently ranked No. 83 in the world, beat Nieminen in their only meeting in 2007 on clay in Barcelona.
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2 comments:
I totally love nishikora but I think i've mentioned that before!
That result for pimpim isn't too bad considering it's his first match in a very long time.
Unfortenately Darcis couldn't pull off a surprise.
Karen--Keep following Kei Nishikori's results, as he is definitely one of the rising young talents on the ATP Tour. He has a bright future ahead of him.
Joachim Johansson (aka Pim Pim) can be a huge impact in the Top 50 if he stays healthy. Despite reaching No. 9 in the ATP Rankings a few years ago and beating big names such as Andy Roddick, he was always injured or sick for long periods of time. That ultimately was the reason he retired earlier this year. I hope he can come back fresh and strong in January at the Australia tournaments and start his career over from scratch.
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