A few interesting matches today, so I thought I'd start this thread early:

Tsonga and Grosjean obviously can't get enough of one another - in a repeat of Lyon, they are playing against one another and then playing doubles against Allegro and Lindstedt.

We also have Tipsarevic vs. Haas - I believe Haas is still in the running for Shanghai, but this will not be an easy match for him I don;t think :(

Then there's two Shanghai contenders - Gonzalez vs. Youzhny.

Federer's opponent will be decided from the Karlovic vs. Verdasco match anfd finally we have an interesting match-up between Ancic and Berdych :blink:

In doubles, the Murray brothers are in action as well as Nadal :ok:

Nieminen beat Monaco 6-4, 6-4

Mahut won the first set against Gabashvilli 6-4, and it's now looking like it's heading for a tie-break in the second

Haas is actually in pole position for Shanghai at the moment, but that's a perfectly loseable first match for him - would say it was about 60/40 in his favour given that Tipsarevic struggled past Spadea in the qualifying round.

Gonzalez is pretty much assured of his place in Shanghai, and Youzhny is relying on a lot of luck to secure his, so this match probably won't have too much bearing on things. It's still a good second round match though, with the Russian possibly slight favourite.

Of all the mediocrity still in with a shout, Tommy Robredo is probably the ultimate - and naturally, it's he who has the sitter draw. I'm hoping he finds a way to lose to home favourite Simon today, given that he'd be lucky to outshine his achievements last year - i.e. winning his final group match, which was already 'dead'. If he beats the Frenchman, it would be Seppi or Canas for a place in the QF - quite possibly enough to guarantee him qualification.

I'd like to see Ancic put Berdych out to continue his gradual progress on return from injury. In other interesting matches, Karlovic should put out the tired headcase Verdasco to earn another double tie-break defeat to Federer and Mardy Fish has a good shout against Ferrer - the Spaniard is another Shanghai hopeful who's form has hit the rocks, fortunately for him after he'd earnt enough points to allow him to scrape over the line. Although predicting an American win in Europe isn't always the smartest move...

In other matches, Nieminen has just put out Monaco rather impressively, 6-4, 6-4. Forget Djokovic, the Finn will be far from easy for Murray if his slim chances are to come to fruition. And Mahut is up a set on Gabashvili in one of the weaker first round matches, which has just entered a second set tie-break.

Volandri just bagelled Melzer in the first set :blink:

The Murray's are currently doing appalling - lost the first set 6-1

Haas is a break up on Tippy in the first set

go Tommy :clap:

They seem to have woken up, though.

1-6 6-2


Meanwhile, Santoro won his match. Haas was up a break in the second, but it's now back on serve at 2-3.

Well, the Murrays fail to convert on a couple match points and lose the super-tiebreaker (or whatever they call that ridiculous thing) 11-9.

:clap: to Haas - tough first round opponent there :clap:

Well done to Haas :clap: :clap: :unsure: :unsure: but Jo, don't we want Murray going to Shanghai ;)

so Karlovic beat Verdasco in 3 sets and will now face federer

big match coming up - Gonzo vs. Youhzhny!!!! Come on Misha!!! :pray:

COME ON GONZO. :clap: :yahoo: :clap: :yahoo: :clap: :yahoo:

He's lovely :wub: :wub: :wub: :blush:

so's Misha!!!!! :wub: :wub: :wub:


I'd really like to see Youhzny make it to Shanghai - I like his attitude!!! :D

:rolleyes: yeah, if you say so. :P

Gonzo looks to have an early break :(

1 set a piece in the gonzo vs. youhzny match B)

So far so good for the Shanghai hopefuls - Haas came from a break down in the final set to see off Tipsarevic 6-3, 6-7, 6-3. A good result for the German - I fear he'll have no impact whatsoever if he does make to Asia, but of all the contenders, he has amassed the most solid Slam results (SF, QF and R4 in the three he played) and as such is the most deserving, in my opinion. Would still prefer to see Murray or Gasquet make it though. :P

Youzhny is more of a long shot, but he kept his hopes alive with a scrappy victory over Gonzalez. He will face Haas next in a match which will probably end the hopes of one of them, and is very hard to call. However, the Russian is almost 50 points behind the main conteders and will therefore need to reach the final and hope everyone else crashes out in the 3rd round, or win the tournament with everyone else losing before the semi-finals. Very unlikely.

Robredo is up next against Simon... allez Gilles.

I see the Beeb have reported Andy as being in a car accident on Monday - nothing serious, just a stiff back as result - hopefully that wont get worse and cost him a good run here for you Mo

Robredo and Ferrer both up a break in the first set of their respective matches

And both won their first sets

Robredo - 6-4

Ferrer 6-1

There have to be at least 2 withdrawals so hopefully Tommy and Andy can both make it :pray:
Does anyone remember when there were loads of injuries and Tim was drafted in last minute!

Ferrer and Robredo both win - though Gilles had a fight back and took it to three sets.

up on the scoreboard now is the Ancic v Berdy game - shortly to commence I guess.

there'll be some unhappy peeps on here tonight then - not many Robredo fans i don't think.....

Early break - 2-0 to Berdy

I like Robredo..mainly for his work ethic...industrious :)

BTW Berdych is already broke serve and is 2-0 games up in the first set...

early days.....

Ancic serving to stay in first set...

I thought last glimpse at scoreboard he might have had a chance to break back but apparently it was not to be...

in fact, he is two set points down :unsure:

and the point is taken... first set to Berdych - 6-3

looks like it's going t be easier for berdych than i expected :unsure:

well, he is 3-0 up in second set with Ancic now serving to get a score on the board...

which he gets with what appeared to be a love game 3-1 to Berdych

:) It's beautiful ..two tall lads...serving and going for angles..... berdych seems in the mood for a fight..

wish I could watch :( full report in the morning please Miss Suzi :hug:

am off to bed, so will leave you updating :) night hun :hug:

Well its 5-3 for Berdych..... serving for the match now....

In the zone, thats what you can use to describe Berdych..going for the lines and moving ancic around so much....Ancic served well, but hey ..you cant win them all....

Berdych wins it...6-3 final set......

So yeah berdy goes through to the third round...

26 winners for berdych 22 for Ancic

12 unforced errors for Berdych 16 for Ancic..the better player won though Ancic had a higher serve percentage....

Its..goodbye and goodnight from me.... :wave:

Just turned this on, Berdych's on fire. :blink: He takes it 6-3, 6-3.

A shame for Ancic, who's had some good results since returning from that terrible injury, but never quite strung a prolonged run together. Let's hope 2008 brings better things for Super Mario.

As for Berdych, on this form he should take Ferrer next round, and possibly Federer afterwards - many were surprised that the Swiss came to Paris. Given his tough draw, he'd slipped my mind regarding Shanghai, but he's in exactly the same boat as Murray - one round further than those ahead of him, and matching the performance of those below. Others in that boat include Gasquet, Moya and Ljubicic ( :kpow2: ), although obviously the lower down that list, the more players are required to slip up.

Some really good matches today! On centre court we have:

Murray vs. Nieminen
Djoko vs. Santoro
Volandri vs. Nadal
Gasquet vs. Tsonga
Federer vs. karlovic
Mahut vs. Blake

On court 1 we have:

Chela vs. Wawrinka
Del Potro vs. Davydenko
Ljubicic vs. Baghdatis
Moya vs. Nalbandian

:clap:

Thanks Pebs :hug: I did hear that when I got home last night....so heres hoping it really isn't going to cause any problems today. :pray:

Murry seemingly out of the traps fast - won his first service game to love and there is now a marathon tussle on Nieminen's first service game. They have played 19 points and it is the 6th bp.

If Nieminen escapes Murray has got to kick himself.

Escape he does - 1 game all. Murray had 6bps in that game and failed to capitalise.

:(

it does bode well though - he's just won his service game to love :ok: