David Ferrer, Juan Monaco win first round matches – Copa Claro 2012
David Ferrer beats Andres Molteni 6-1, 6-0
Top seed David Ferrer made an ideal start to the tournament, as he hammered Andres Molteni of Argentina in straight sets 6-1, 6-0 in the first round at the Copa Claro in Buenos Aires on Tuesday. Ferrer made short work of his opponent,
beating the local player in just 50 minutes.
Ferrer made a couple of breakthroughs in the opener and allowed the Argentinean to win only one game, capturing the set 6-1. The Spaniard outplayed his opponent in all departments of the game, clinching 17 of the 21 serve and nine
of the 15 return points.
The world number 5, Ferrer, was in supreme form. He did not lose even a single game in the second set and completed a bagel. The Spaniard broke Molteni three times to capture it 6-0. Such was Ferrer’s dominance that Molteni managed
to win just four points in the second set. The Spaniard grabbed the entire eight first serve and seven first return points.
Ferrer assessed, "I think he was a little nervous, but I understand him. Every player had to go through that. You can see he is a good player. I'm happy I could finish it quickly because it's always important to save energy in
the early rounds."
The Spaniard will meet Facundo Bagnis of Argentina in the second round.
Juan Monaco ousts Filippo Volandri 6-1, 3-1 Retired
Juan Monaco of Argentina gave locals something to cheer, as the fifth seed moved to the second round when his opponent, Filippo Volandri of Italy, retired from their first round match. Monaco was leading 6-1, 3-1 when the Italian
opted to quit the match due to a right ankle injury. The contest lasted for just 50 minutes.
Monaco snatched a break of serve in the second game to take a 2-0 lead but Volandri responded quickly to get it back in the next game. However, the Italian failed to win any more, dropping four consecutive games to lose the set
1-6. Both players hit one double fault and could not deliver an ace. Volandri had a better first serve percentage but he fared poorly on the second ones, losing six of the seven points on them.
The Argentinean took an early lead again in the second set, breaking the Italian in the opening game and winning his next serve to move ahead 2-0. Volandri opened his account by holding his game. The Italian decided to retire from
the match with pain in his right ankle at 1-3.
Monaco will face compatriot David Nalbandian in the round of 16.
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