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2/24/09 7:13 PM | Ricky Dimon
Novak Djokovic opens his 2009 Dubai campaign with a straight-set win over qualifier Flavio Cipolla. He is joined in the second round by Simone Bolelli and Dmitry Tursunov.
Novak Djokovic d. Flavio Cipolla 6-3, 6-2
Djokovic won his opener at the Barclays Tennis Championships on Tuesday evening, but it was not an extremely easy 6-3, 6-2 over Cipolla. The No. 1 seed threw away an early break in the first set as Cipolla's lack of pace and slice backhands gave Djokovic some trouble. Nonetheless, Djokovic recovered to seize another break and he survived a grueling service game at 5-3 to hold for a one-set advantage. Set two was more routine, with the third-ranked Serb breaking right away for a 1-0 lead. Djokovic again dropped a service game, but he jumped all over his opponent's second serves to the tune of three breaks. A final hold of serve finished off Cipolla, who qualified for the main draw, and gave Djokovic a solid, if unspectacular, victory. In the second round Djokovic will take on Jan Hernych, a three-set winner over Mikhail Youzhny.
Simone Bolelli d. Viktor Troicki 6-3, 6-4
Bolelli turned the tables on Troicki less than a month after losing a head-to-head encounter in Zagreb. And it wasn't even too difficult for the Italian. Dismal 40-percent serving by Troicki in the first set opened the door for Bolelli and he took advantage in the form of one break. That was enough to take a one-set advantage, as the No. 36 player in the world did not face a single break point throughout the opening frame of play. More of the same continued in set two, although Bolelli became even more dominant on serve. He put in 67 percent of his first serves and dropped a mere four points in five service games. Troicki slightly improved his own serve, but once again a single break for Bolelli was enough to win the set--and the match. Next up Bolelli is a second-round encounter with Richard Gasquet, against whom he is 0-2 lifetime.
Dmitry Tursunov vs. Andreas Seppi 6-1, 6-4
Tursunov had not been playing well heading into Dubai, but he came out blazing on Tuesday night. The Russian seized an immediate break of serve for a 2-0 lead in the first. He had to save two break points midway through the set, but he saved both and did not run into any other trouble whatsoever. A second break of Seppi gave Tursunov a 5-1 advantage and he served it out in the next game to take the opening set. Both players saved break points early in the second, but again it was the Italian who cracked first. Tursunov had to save another break point to consolidate the advantage at 4-3, and he did, eventually ending the match a perfect 4-for-4 on break points saved. A routine hold at 5-4 the No. 28 player in the world finished off the proceedings in one hour and 16 minutes. Tursunov will meet countryman Igor Andreev for a spot in the quarterfinals.
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Queen's Club was probably there most competitive match of late - Nadal won in 2 but the sets were tight.
tenisbebe , 2/25/09 1:13 AM
My favourite is the Hamburg one. Breathtaking.
noleisthebest , 2/25/09 11:10 AM
Novak didn't play too well. But as long as he stays healthy, I think he has enough reserves in his game to reach the final.
samprallica , 2/25/09 12:15 PM
as the first seed he gets late night matches and if he gets through he won't have much rest time for the quarters ... it's interesting that the second seed has better schedule ....
posmatrac , 2/25/09 5:06 PM
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I must say it was joy to watch a few very rare points when Novak got a bit of rhythm and pace from the nippy Italian.....oh, how I can't wait him to play Nadal again...best match-up in the history of tennis, best tennis of all....
noleisthebest , 2/24/09 9:30 PM