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4/13/09 9:01 PM | Kelli DeMario
Ivan Ljubicic moves safely into the second round of the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters on Monday. Igor Kunitsyn and Radek Stepanek fail to advance.
Juan Ignacio Chela def. Igor Kunitsyn 6-4, 2-6, 7-5
Veteran Argentine Juan Ignacio Chela secured a second-round berth Monday morning, prevailing in a three-set thrilled over Russian Igor Kunitsyn. The Russian looked to have the match in hand, leading 5-2 in the third set behind a double break. Kunitsyn served for a place in round two twice, but failed to close. A determined Argentine won five consecutive games, pocketing the match on his seventh match point. Chela converted six of 19 break-point opportunities in the marathon two-hour and 22-minute match. He faces world No. 1 and four-time defending champion Rafael Nadal in the second round.
Ivan Ljubicic def. Kristof Vliegen 6-4, 7-6, 6-4
Wildcard Ivan Ljubicic came through a tough opening-round match, dismissing Belgian qualifier Kristof Vliegen in three sets. The former world No. 3 led 3-0 in the second set, but could not hold on to close. The Croat, striking errors from both wings, fell behind an early service break in set three. A shaky Vliegen gave up his two-break, 3-0 lead on a critical double fault, serving at 4-2. A steadied Ljubicic secured an insurance break at 5-4, allowing him to serve for a place in the second round. He will meet sixth-seeded Argentine Juan Martin Del Potro in the next round.
Nicolas Lapentti def. Radek Stepanek 6-3, 1-6, 6-3
Nicolas Lapentti knocked out No. 15 seed Radek Stepanek late Monday evening. The first-round victory marks the 32-year-old Ecuadoran qualifier’s first career win over the Czech. The world No. 19 hit 15 errors in a poor first set, winning a dismal 20% of his second-serve points. Stepanek regrouped in set two, quickly building a 5-0 lead behind a double-break of the Lapentti serve. The veteran Ecuadoran secured a critical service break at 4-3 in the third set, following a dropshot error from the Czech. The 15th seed finished the contest with 42 unforced errors and six double-faults. Lapentti will take on the winner of the Hewitt/Safin match in round two.
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