2010 Valencia Open 500: Nicolas Almagro ousted, Andy Murray and Robin Soderling victorious
Play at the Agora (centre court at Valencia) got off to a disappointing start today as, two- time winner and local, Nicolas Almagro lost his shot at a third title win in Valencia. Almagro lost his first round match against compatriot,
Daniel Gimeno-Traver.
This was the fourth time the pair was facing off in an ATP event. In 2009, the pair went at it in Acapulco with Almagro emerging as the victor. In 2010, at Buenos Aires, Gimeno levelled the score after he forced Almagro’s exit
in the first round. Almagro again took the lead when he defeated Gimeno at the semi-final in Gstaad 2010. Playing in his hometown, Gimeno levelled his head to head to score with Almagro at 2-2, forcing Almagro to yet another early exit.
With the desire to perform well in his hometown, Gimeno took the lead early into the game. The right handed professional served six aces in the first set and lost only three points on service to enjoy a comfortable win of 6-4.
Soon after, Gimeno committed three double faults in the second set, costing him the lead. Almagro took advantage of the situation and lost only seven points on service to win the set 6-3. Eventually, Gimeno’s form returned in the third set as he bounced back
to take the lead. Winning the decider 6-3, Gimeno was able to seal his victory and enter the round of sixteen.
Almagro’s early round exit puts him in danger for the London qualification race. He is currently at position twelve in the year-to-date ATP rankings. However, with no chance of winning the title here at Valencia, Almagro desperately
needs a win at the BNP Paribas Masters in Paris next week if he has any hopes of making the cut.
In other action from the event, 2009 winner, Brit Andy Murray got off to a good start as he set out to defend his title this year. Ranking four in the ATP world rankings, he has two titles to his name this season: one at Shanghai
Masters and the other at the Rogers Cup, Toronto. Hoping for a third title win in the season, Murray brought his excellent form to the court in his matchup with local Feliciano Lopez. This was the pair’s fourth meeting on the court with their head to head
score at 3-0 in Murray’s favour.
Serving five aces and losing only six points on service, Murray took a quick lead in the first set, winning it 6-3. Lopez tried to bounce back in the second set taking it to a tie–breaker; however, the Brit was merciless towards
Lopez. Powerful in his serves and quick with his returns, Murray raced towards the seven point mark, crossing it at a 7-1 lead. He will next face Argentinean Juan Monaco.
World number five Robin Soderling from Sweden made his debut in Valencia today. Seeded second in the tournament, he played his first round match against Spaniard Albert Montanes. This was the pair’s fifth meeting on the court making
their head to head now 4-1. The only time when Montanes won against Soderling was back in 2007 at the Roland Garros, when Soderling retired from the match due to an injury. As their record shows, Soderling once again humiliated Montanes on the hard court enjoying
a straight set win of 6-1, 6-4. Serving fourteen aces in the entire match and losing only ten points on service, Soderling comfortably sealed his victory in sixty one minutes. Soderling goes on to face Gimeno in the round of sixteen.
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