Isner Begins Memphis Campaign; Sweeting, Querrey Win
No. 1 seed John Isner topped Gilles Muller 7-6(1), 7-6(4) at the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships Tuesday to begin his campaign in Memphis. "It was a match I knew was going to be tough," said Isner. "I knew I was going to have to scrap it out. I served my best, so that helped."
The American was virtually untouchable on his first serve, winning 48 of 50 points and hitting 26 aces in the process. He claimed the final three points in the second set tie-break to seal his third straight win over Muller in one hour and 40 minutes. "Confidence comes from putting a string of matches together. I haven't really played that many matches," Isner said.
"As far as being match ready, I don't feel like I'm quite there yethttp://www.pba-online.net. The balls weren't really finding the court, until the tie-breaks. I was able to find a couple lines here and there. Getting that first set under my belt was huge."
Isner, who reached the final in 2010 (l. to Querrey), is ranked a career-high 13th in the South African Airways ATP Rankings. He is seeking to win his fourth title and first indoors. The 26 year old will take on compatriot Donald Young next....
Nicolas Almagro advances in Argentina
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina -- No. 2 Nicolas Almagro of Spain beat Potito Starace of Italy 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (4), at Copa Claro clay-court event on Tuesday.
Gilles Simon of France defeated Rui Machado of Portugal 6-3, 7-5, and No. 5 Juan Monaco of Argentina advanced when Filippo Volandri of Italy retired in the second set with an injury. Monaco was leading 6-1, 3-1.
Top-seeded David Ferrer of Spain had no trouble beating Argentine Andres Molteni 6-1, 6-0....
Ivanovic battles past stubborn Schiavone
Ana Ivanovic survived a late wobble to book her place in the second round of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships with a hard-fought win over seventh seed Francesca Schiavone.
In a battle of two former French Open champions, Ivanovic prevailed in an hour and 41 minutes, racing through the opening set before securing a 6-1 7-5 victory in Dubai.
Schiavone, who has slipped out of the world's top ten, was punished for a shaky start as Ivanovic raced to a 5-0 lead. The Italian came under a deluge of pressure in the opening set, facing 14 break points, and although she avoided the bagel, Schiavone offered little resistance as the Serb wrapped up the opening set in confident fashion....
Ferrer Rolls In Buenos Aires; Almagro Tested
World No. 5 David Ferrer impressed at the Copa Claro Tuesday, needing just 50 minutes to defeat qualifier Andres Molteni 6-1, 6-0 in Buenos Aires.
The top seed did not face a break point, and converted five breaks of serve against the Argentine to improve to 9-1 on the year. "I think he was a little nervous, but I understand him," Ferrer said. "Every player had to go through that. You can see he is a good player. I'm happy I could finish it quickly because it's always important to save energy in the early rounds."
Ferrer, the runner-up in 2010, began his season by lifting his 12th title in Auckland at the Heineken Open (d. Rochus). Molteni was making his ATP World Tour main-draw debut....
Davydenko sets up Del Potro clash
Former world No. 3 Nikolay Davydenko booked a second-round showdown with Juan Martin del Potro at the Open 13 in Marseille.
Davydenko, who has returned to the world's top 40 following a serious wrist injury, fired nine aces during his 6-1 7-5 win over Germany's Andreas Beck. Next up for Davydenko is fourth seed Del Potro, whose 2010 season was also decimated by a wrist injury.
Meanwhile, Nicolas Mahut will meet top seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the second round following his 6-3 6-4 win over fellow Frenchman Arnaud Clement, while Richard Gasquet dispatched Go Soeda 6-0 6-2....
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