2011 Heineken Open: Tuesday Afternoon Session's Preview
As the ATP 250 event enters its second day on Tuesday in Auckland, the full brunt of the opening clashes hits the courts. With twelve players taking to the courts, six opening clashes are scheduled for the first half of the day.
Opening the play on the centre court will be qualifier Michael Russell as he plays seventh seed Thomaz Bellucci. Russell gained acceptance into the main draw playing in the qualifying round as the sixth seed. Defeating French Ludovic Walter in straight sets
by 6-3, 6-4, Russell was able to secure a spot for himself in the main draw. Bellucci however, will play his first match in 2011. Ranked 31st in the world, this Brazilian native finished 2010 with a title win at Santiago. Since this will be the
first meeting between Russell and Bellucci, their career head to head rests at 0-0. The winner of this match will play 2007 finalist Tommy Roberdo in the second round.
While these two battle it out on the centre court, No. 52 Victor Hanescu will be playing No. 56 Kevin Anderson simultaneously on court 4. Hanescu started 2011 playing at Doha last week; however, he was unable to make it past the first round falling to fifth
seed Ernests Gulbis. Anderson also started 2011 last week; however, playing at the Brisbane event, Anderson enjoyed a semis run before falling to defending champion Andy Roddick. This will be the pair’s first meeting on ATP Tour. Since there isn’t much disparity
in the rankings, it is difficult to say who would win this match. The winner will go on to meet Nicolas Almagro, who received a bye into the second round.
Following these two on the courts will be the two qualifiers Bobby Reynolds and Adrian Mannarino playing their respective first round matches. Mannarino will be playing fifth seed Juan Monaco while Reynolds will be playing Marcel Granollers. Reynolds gained
acceptance into the main draw after he defeated Marcos Crugnola in the qualifying final in straight sets while qualifying fourth seed Mannarino achieved the same when he did away with qualifying fifth seed Brian Dabul.
The winner of the Mannarino Monaco matchup will move ahead to play either Xavier Malisse or 2010 finalist Arnaud Clement. The winner of Reynolds and Granollers match will play 2008 champion and eighth seed Philipp Kohlschrieber.
Following Reynolds and Granollers on the courts will be Thiemo de Bakker as he plays Philipp Petzschner. Playing together for the first time ever on the ATP Tour, de Bakker will play his first 2011 match while Petzschner will play his second. He opened 2011
last week at the Brisbane International though he failed to make it past the first round losing to Feliciano Lopez.
Wrapping up singles play for the afternoon session will be world number twenty seven David Nalbandian as he plays world number fifty seven Fabio Fognini. Although, Nalbandian is playing his first match in 2011, he plays his second against Fognini. Leading
the score 1-0, Nalbandian had earlier met Fognini in 2008 playing their round of sixteen match at the Buenos Aires event. Fognini comes into the event with a year-to-date win loss mark of 0-1. He opened 2011 at the Doha event last week and was ousted by eventual
finalist and defending champion NIkolay Davydenko in the first round. The winner of this match will play either Petzschner or de Bakker later at the Auckland event.
Also playing on court 2 in the morning will be a doubles match between the team of Johan Brunstrom and Stephen Huss and the Brazalians Marcelo Melo and Bruno Soares.
Tags: