LYON, France, 6 October 2004 — Top seed Nicolas Massu of Chile was ousted in the first round of the Lyon Grand Prix, losing 6-3, 6-4 to Argentine Agustin Calleri yesterday.
The Olympic champion, who led Chile back into the Davis Cup world group at the expense of Japan last month, proved again he was more motivated playing for his country than for himself.
Since winning the singles title in Athens, the Chilean has had to be content with losing in the second round of the US Open before reaching the quarterfinals in Palermo last week. Top seeded in Lyon after the withdrawal of Briton Tim Henman, Massu was never in contention against Calleri, losing in just over an hour.
Two other seeds, Croatia’s Mario Ancic and Spain’s Tommy Robredo, also went out in the first round. Ancic, seeded eight, had to retire when trailing 6-3, 3-1 to Max Mirnyi of Belarus. Robredo, the fifth seed, lost 6-1, 6-4 to Swede Robin Soderling.
Seeds Tumble as Zvonareva Crashes Out of Filderstadt
In Filderstadt, Germany, Russian Vera Zvonareva became the second seed to crash out of the $650,000 WTA event here yesterday falling to a straight sets 6-3, 7-5 first round defeat against compatriot Elena Likhovtseva.
Japanese eighth seed Ai Sugiyama exited the tournament on Monday and Zvonareva, seeded six here, suffered the same fate with 13 double faults contributing to her downfall against Likhovtseva.
World No. 11 Zvonareva was a break of service up at 3-2 in the first set but her serve faltered and she collapsed to lose 6-3.
Likhovtseva dominated in the second set to move 5-2 in front only to struggle to close out the match.
Zvonareva adopted the nothing to lose attitude and produced some breathtaking ground strokes to win the next three games and level at 5-5.
The crowd anticipated a comeback but Likhovtseva rediscovered her composure to triumph 7-5 and move into the next round.
“I played well for both sets until I got 5-2 up and then I let her in the game,” admitted the victor. “I know Vera’s game quite well because we practice together and tried to vary my serve and try out different spins.”
American ace Lindsay Davenport aims to nudge Amelie Mauresmo from the World No. 1 spot and can achieve that here, with less than 200 points separating the pair, should she prosper and her French rival crash out early on. “I think I have a good chance of reaching top spot by the end of the year,” said Davenport.
World No. 2 Davenport, who last topped the world rankings back in June 2001, faces Australian Alicia Molik in her second round match after receiving a first round bye.
Arthurs Storms Through On Wet Day in Tokyo
In Tokyo, Australian Wayne Arthurs rained down 15 aces on a weather-plagued day to move into the second round of the $860,000 Japan Open on a wet yesterday in Tokyo.
With a typhoon reportedly heading toward the capital for later in the week, the moveable roof at the Ariake Colosseum came in handy to help organizers get through at least some of 18 singles contests set at the men’s and women’s event.
Arthurs advanced as he defeated Frenchman Jean-Rene Lisnard 6-4, 7-5 to move through. The Davis Cup veteran rode a 71 percent first-serve percentage to victory in one hour, 17 minutes.
“Lisnard played OK, but I didn’t give him much rhythm by attacking the net constantly,” said Arthurs, with Lleyton Hewitt now the only other Australian in the field after Monday’s first-round exit of Mark Philippoussis. “I feel like I’m playing well and today’s conditions (indoor under the roof) suited my play.”
Gouichi Motomura made it three of four Asians into the second round on the men’s side as he defeated American Glenn Weiner 6-4, 6-3 to move into a clash with top seed and 2001 winner Hewitt.
Motomura won five of his six break point chances to earn victory. “I was very nervous and anxious before the match, I haven’t played an ATP event for some time,” he said. “I really wanted to play Hewitt in the second round.”
The Japanese had to contend with the stress of a sudden illness to his grandmother, whom he visited in hospital immediately after his match. Motomura will get some tactical advice from Europe-based Australian coach Bob Brett, who has been working recently with the Japanese, including their Davis Cup team.
In reduced women’s play at a tournament headed by Maria Sharapova, Thai Tamarine Tanasugarn upset Japanese third seed Shinobu Asagoe 6-0, 6-4 while No. 4 Kristian Brandi moved past Czech Sandra Kleinova 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. Czech Klara Koukalova, the No. 7, beat Venezuela’s Milagros Sequera 6-2, 6-2.
