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  • Verdasco advances while Canas and Lopez go down in flames

    5/13/08 5:33 AM | Jonathan Morgan
    - A couple of disappointing losses for Lopez and Canas against players they really shouldn't be losing to while Verdasco scored a nice victory over Youzhny.

    Michael Llodra def. Guillermo Canas 7-6(7), 6-2

    Canas used to be a great player on clay, but this match really gut checked the veteran Argentine. Llodra is wretched on clay. The Frenchman employed a serve and volley game to defeat Canas today, using it to great effect. Even more surprising, was that Llodra was also winning baseline rallies against Canas. The first set tiebreak was intense, with some close points, questionable line calls, and Canas smashing his racket after losing it. A feeble 2nd set loss ensued as Canas suffers a highly disappointing loss.

    Fernando Verdasco def. Mikhail Youzhny 6-3, 6-2

    Verdasco was expected to win this match, but definitely not by that scoreline. Nando is known around the circuit to be quite a mental case, often blowing leads and losing to players he shouldn't. This is why this result over a quality opponent (albeit on Youzhny's worst surface) is so surprising. Youzhny had to retire in his first round Monte Carlo match vs. Andreev, and he looked a bit rusty out there. Some shocking errors, true, but Verdasco played very well. His forehand and especially his movement were both very crisp today. Of course he had a few brainfarts, but they didn't last very long as he took the match in quick fashion.

    Ivo Minar def. Feliciano Lopez 6-3, 6-4

    A shock loss for Lopez, and a horrible one at that. Minar actually lost to Horna in the qualifying and entered the main draw as a lucky loser. Minar was average, but Lopez was absolutely dreadful. Spraying errors all over the place from both sides. Minar merely had to keep the ball in play and Lopez would hit it out. Minar didn't even face a break point. Minar will reach a career high ranking with this win.

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