Seventh-seeded Spaniard Tommy Robredo (pictured) defeated Austrian Jurgen Melzer, 6-3, 6-4, on Monday in the first round at the Medibank International in Sydney. Robredo earned his first win of the year in his 2009 season debut.Currently ranked No. 22 in the South African Airways ATP Rankings, Robredo saved all seven break point chances he faced, while breaking Melzer’s serve twice in six opportunities throughout the 90-minute match. The steady right-hander who has won 332 career ATP singles matches, won 67 percent of first serve points, 63 percent of second serve points and smashed three aces compared to only one double fault. In six appearances in Sydney, this victory marks just the second time Robredo has made it past the first round. His best performance to date was in 2004 when he lost to countryman Carlos Moya in the quarterfinals in three sets. Robredo next faces Croatian Mario Ancic, who defeated Belgian qualifier Xavier Malisse, 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-3.
Fifth-seeded Russian Igor Andreev, who was eliminated in the first round last week in Doha, started things off on the right note this week by defeating Canadian qualifier Frank Dancevic, 7-6(2), 6-3, in 77-minutes to advance. Currently ranked No. 19, Andreev smashed 11 aces compared to only two aces by Dancevic. The Russian, winner of a career-best 43 matches last season, won 34 of 38 first serve points, while breaking serve three times. Andreev will next face either last week’s Brisbane champion Radek Stepanek or French qualifier Jeremy Chardy.
Finland native Jarkko Nieminen, currently ranked No. 40, edged past Spaniard Feliciano Lopez, 6-2, 7-6(9), in 84 minutes. Nieminen, who won 81 percent of first serve points and broke serve on three occasions, now owns a 5-0 lifetime record against the left-hander from Madrid. Nieminen awaits the winner between sixth-seeded Czech Tomas Berdych and 2008 finalist Chris Guccione. Nieminen has never faced Guccione but is 0-3 lifetime against Berdych, having never won a set against the big-serving Czech star.
Other First Round results from Monday
Michael Llodra def. Denis Gremelmayr, 6-0, 6-2
Simone Bolelli def. Potito Starace, 7-6(1), 6-4
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2 comments:
I bet Djokovic wins this tourney, although I wouldn't mind witnessing a deep run in Sydney by Nieminen.
Brian D, thanks for the comment.
You might be right that Novak Djokovic will win the Medibank International. After his first round exit last week in Brisbane, he will be eager to redeem himself and go far in Sydney before the Australian Open starts next week, the grand slam he is the defending champion.
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