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4/21/10 6:23 AM | Kelli DeMario
Juan Carlos Ferrero looks to continue his winning ways on clay this season, set to make his 2010 Barcelona debut Wednesday afternoon. He is joined by fellow Spaniard Feliciano Lopez, in action against Denis Istomin.
(7) Juan Carlos Ferrero vs. Sergiy Stakhovsky
Former World No. 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero will attempt to record his 18th clay-court victory of the year on Wednesday. The 30-year-old Spaniard has built a 20-6 record in 2010, aided by back-to-back title-winning runs during the South American clay-court swing. Ferrero, seeded seventh this week, captured top honors in Costa Do Sauipe (def. Kubot) and Buenos Aires (def. Ferrer), raising his career tally to 14 titles. The 2001 Barcelona champion returns to competition following a quarterfinal finish in Monte-Carlo, where he succumbed to an in-form Rafael Nadal.
The 68th-ranked Stakhovsky began his debut Barcelona Open BancSabadell with a hard-fought victory over German Mischa Zverev. The 24-year-old rallied from a set down to notch a 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 success in one hour and 56 minutes of play. Stakhovsky entered into the tournment with a 7-7 mark, aiming to secure his third Tour-level, round of 16 berth.
Prediction: A resurgent Ferrero was the one to push Nadal the hardest in Monte-Carlo. The veteran should move on in straight sets.
(16) Feliciano Lopez vs. Denis Istomin
Sixteenth seed Feliciano Lopez holds a 1-0 edge over Denis Istomin, heading into their second-round clash on Wednesday. The Spaniard won the pair’s only meeting to date, having scored a 2009 round of 32 victory at Queen’s Club. Wednesday’s match signals the player’s first clay-court contest.
The 35th-ranked Spaniard passed into the second round early Tuesday, following the retirement of first-round opponent Oleksandr Dolgopolov Jr. Lopez led 6-3, 3-0 when Dolgopolov called it a day. The 28-year-old, who snagged the Johannesburg crown in February, improved his season to 10-7. The Toledo native makes his 11th appearance at the Barcelona Open BancSabadell.
World No. 84 Denis Istomin survived a difficult opener against Johannesburg finalist Stephane Robert. The 23-year-old overcame a 1-6 second set, needing to battle for more than two hours to record the 7-6(5), 1-6, 6-1 win. Istomin looks for his first round of 16 spot since mid-February in San Jose (lost to Verdasco).
Prediction: While not quite at home on clay, Lopez has competed well in Barcelona. The Spaniard in three sets.
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de bakker is nr 67, so things may get even less fluent;)
2flow , 4/22/10 12:23 AM
I'm relieved that Feli won but I'm kind of annoyed to be this relieved this early.
clayking, did you see JCF play? I heard the first set was nice, before his opponent had to retire.
mara002 , 4/22/10 1:37 AM
@mara002
not the whole match, just 2nd set..
and believe me, that guy stakhovsky hit some pretty good shots..
clayking , 4/22/10 2:36 AM
Juan Carlos Ferrero
Sergiy Stakhovsky
Barcelona Open Banco Sabadell
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not exactly fluent as you would expect against a world no. 80, but still a fine win for mosquito..
up next thiemo de bakker..
go mosquito go
clayking , 4/21/10 6:14 PM