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7/14/09 9:19 PM | Kelli DeMario
Top seed Gilles Simon posted an opening-round victory at the Mercedes Cup late Monday, defeating opponent Philipp Petzschner. Tomas Berdych and Jose Acasuso both fell in straight sets.
(1) Gilles Simon def. Philipp Petzschner 6-3, 6-4
Gilles Simon made a strong start to his bid in Stuttgart on Monday, knocking out Philipp Petzschner in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4. The top-seeded Frenchman, playing in his first Mercedes Cup since 2006, booked a place in the second round after an hour and 15 minutes of play.
The 24-year-old surrendered serve twice, but rebounded well to convert a solid four of seven break points on the day. Simon turned in a strong performance on serve as well, hitting a half-dozen aces to only one double fault. The Frenchman took reasonable care of his service games, winning 73% of his first-service points and 50% of his second. With the victory, Simon improves to 25-19 for the season.
He faces Mischa Zverev in the second round. The German dismissed Guillermo Garcia-Lopez in the first round, 6-2, 6-4.
Nicolas Kiefer def. (3) Tomas Berdych 6-3, 6-3
Nicolas Kiefer snapped a four-match losing streak against Tomas Berdych on Tuesday. The veteran German, returning to the Mercedes Cup for the first time in 12 years, bested the Czech after 78 minutes, 6-3, 6-3. The 32-year-old fought off six of seven break points during the opening-round clash while securing four breaks of the Berdych serve. The Czech struggled on serve, gifting four double faults, winning a poor nine of 21 second-service points.
Kiefer, sidelined for part of the year with injury, looks to win back-to-back matches for the first time this season. He takes on wildcard compatriot Simon Greul in the next round. Gruel took out fellow German Andreas Beck in the opening round, 7-6, 7-6.
Jeremy Chardy def. (8) Jose Acasuso 6-2, 7-6
Jeremy Chardy notched his second career win over 2006 Mercedes Cup finalist Jose Acasuso, defeating the Argentine in straight sets Tuesday afternoon. The 22-year-old Frenchman, in his Mercedes Cup debut this week, upset the eighth seed in an hour and 16 minutes, 6-2, 7-6. Chardy captured three breaks of the Acasuso serve and snagged 88% of his first-service points during the match, losing serve only once.
Chardy improves his 2009 record to 22-17, posting his first victory since he suffered an opening-round loss to Andy Roddick at Wimbledon. The Frenchman awaits the winner of the Golubev-Vassallo Arguello match.
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