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  • Bastad First Round Recap: Swedes Advance

    7/9/08 3:01 AM | Ricky Dimon
    - The Swedish faithful were treated to a productive day of tennis in Bastad on Tuesday. Among those who moved safely through to round two were Robin Söderling and Jonas Björkman.

    Robin Söderling d. Fabio Fognini 6-1, 6-7(4), 7-5

    Söderling looked to be well on his way to an easy win after one set, but the No. 8 seed ended up needing two hours and twenty minutes to get past Fognini. Inefficient serving by both players allowed each man to break twice as the second set progressed to a tiebreaker. The Italian took it to level the match at one set all, but Fognini was not as opportunistic against Söderling's serve in the final frame of play. He failed to convert any of five break points and that proved to be the difference. The Swede finally broke through with Fognini serving at 5-6 and that sealed the deal. Söderling fired 13 aces throughout the three sets.

    Marcel Granollers d. Jonas Björkman 6-3, 6-1

    At 36 years old, Björkman says he is retiring when this season cocludes, but he certainly isn't done yet. The veteran thrilled his Swedish fans on Tuesday with an impressive destruction of clay-court specialist and Houston champion Marcel Granollers. Björkman was utterly dominant on serve against the helpless Spaniard, losing just five points in eight service games and just one in the second set. He dropped only one first-serve point in the entire match. Björkman should face a more difficult test from third-seeded Tommy Robredo in round two.

    Marat Safin d. Marc Lopez 7-6(6), 7-5

    Safin could have made it a bit easier, but overall he played well under the circumstances. The Russian not only had to make a quick turnaround after reaching the Wimbledon semifinals on grass, but he also faced a more comfortable clay-courter in Lopez. The Spaniard had a set point in the opening tiebreaker, but Safin stayed mentally tough and ended up prevailing for a one-set lead. Safin blew multiple chances to break at 4-4 in the second, but he bounced back to secure a break at 5-5 and from there he served out the match. Safin put in just 52 percent of his first serves during the match, but he fired six aces and won 78 percent of his first-serve points. Next up for him is Potito Starace.

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