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  • Monte Carlo: Round two wraps up in Nadal's quarter of the draw

    4/23/08 8:41 PM | Cheryl Murray
    - Ferrero, Ferrer and Tipsarevic all moved through today into the round of 16. They are joined by Rafael Nadal.

    Juan Carlos Ferrero def. Jarkko Nieminen 6-3, 6-3

    Juan Carlos Ferrero had a quite easy time of it, defeating Finn Jarkko Nieminen in straight sets. This is not a particular surprise to anyone who has been following tennis the past few months. Neither man has had spectacular results, but Nieminen's form since the Australian Open (where he reached the quarters) has been dreadful. Before winning his first round match against Marc Gicquel he had lost seven matches in a row. Ferrero broke Nieminen's serve four times and put his win streak to one. Ferrero will face Rafael Nadal in the round of sixteen.

    Janko Tipsarevic def. Nicolas Lapentti 5-7, 7-6(5), 6-4

    In a marathon of a match, Janko Tipsarevic squeaked out a win over qualifier Nicolas Lapentti. The match lasted more than three hours, Lapentti's second such match in a row. Tipsarevic played this match as though he lacked the confidence to win it, but he held to his guns and stuck it out. Lapentti has the distinction of having made it all the way through the qualifying rounds and won his first round match, something for him to be proud of for sure. Tipsarevic will play David Ferrer next.

    David Ferrer def. Marat Safin 6-2, 6-3

    Only one racket was sacrificed in Marat Safin's second round match, a small miracle considering how poorly the Russian played this match overall. Spaniard David Ferrer was simply too tough on the dirt for the mercurial Safin. He won the first set with a double break and relatively minimal effort, as Safin was kind enough to donate error after error on both wings. The fireworks occurred in the second set. Safin actually broke Ferrer's serve right away, but was broken back immediately. From then on, the entertainment in the set was provided, not by the tennis, but by Safin's behavior. He mutilated his racket, disputed line calls, and had a lively discussion with the chair umpire over a ball mark. David Ferrer will play Janko Tipsarevic next.

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