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1/12/10 3:45 PM | Ricky Dimon
Juan Carlos Ferrero will contest his Auckland opener on Wednesday against Michael Lammer. Tommy Robredo is also looking for a spot in the quarterfinals as he faces Simon Greul.
(3) Juan Carlos Ferrero vs. (Q) Michael Lammer
Ferrero, 29, said last year that he would continue is career if he reached the Top 20. As low as No. 115 in the world in May of 2009, Ferrero surged to 20th by October and now registers at a solid 23rd. Game on. Ferrero will kick off this season on Tuesday afternoon at the Heineken Open against Lammer, who qualified for the main draw and then took out fellow qualifier Daniel Evans. The 27-year-old Swiss was just 2-15 lifetime at the ATP level prior to this week and he comes in at No. 209 in the world.
Ferrero, a former world No. 1 and French Open champion, is a huge favorite on paper. The third-seeded Spaniard was in outstanding form throughout the second half of last year, winning a title in Casablanca, reaching the semifinals at Queen's Club, and appearing in the Wimbledon quarterfinals. Ferrero struggled during the fall indoor season on surfaces that do not suit his game, but he should be close to at his best for the Australian summer. Look for Ferrero to cruise in straight sets.
(1) Tommy Robredo vs. Simon Greul
Robredo is playing his first ATP event of 2009, but his season is already off to an impressive start. At last week's Hopman Cup, he beat John Isner and Lleyton Hewitt before upsetting Andy Murray in the final to keep Spain's title hopes alive. Robredo then teamed up with Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez in mixed doubles to clinch the cup. Now it's on to tournament play for the 16th-ranked Spaniard, who is seeded first in Auckland.
His first opponent is Greul, who beat qualifier Paolo Lorenzi in the opening round. Greul is also in fine form and he is ranked just four spots off his career-high at No. 60 in the world. The 28-year-old German was ranked outside the Top 100 in June, but he reached the Hamburg quarterfinals in July and steadily continued his rise up the charts. Still, a first-round loss to Jan Hajek last week in Chennai is a minor cause for concern. Greul has a chance in this one, but Robredo should prevail in two competitive sets.
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That is very sad. Stupid solar eclipse.
smr , 1/13/10 2:03 AM
Tommy Robredo
Simon Greul
Heineken Open
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Ferrero out with sprained ankle
by the looks of it he is in doubt for the Australian
RickyDimon , 1/12/10 11:38 PM