MADRID, 19 October 2004 — Alex Corretja fulfilled the expectations of his home public as he rolled over fellow Spaniard David Ferrer 7-5, 6-1 yesterday to open with a win at the 2.425-million-euros Madrid Masters.
The 30-year-old Corretja won a newspaper reader poll last week and was rewarded with a wild card entry into the penultimate Masters of the season. The veteran was untroubled by Ferrer, eight years his junior but ranked more than 40 places higher on the ATP, advancing into a difficult second round against 16th seeded Thai Paradorn Srichaphan.
Corretja, holder of 17 titles and one of the most popular players on the circuit for a decade, has hit a rough patch in recent seasons, standing only 11-18 for 2004.
The Barcelona-born former Roland Garros finalist improved to 2-0 over his compatriot.
Robin Soderling picked up a victory against young German hope Florian Mayer, advancing 6-3, 7-6 (7-2) a fortnight after winning his first title in Lyon. Soderling is one of three Swedes in the field as he plays at the Rockodromo for the first time. The 20-year-old has shot to a 34th ranking, jumping 16 places as a result of his French title. Soderling will next face Argentine fourth seed David Nalbandian, coming off a quarterfinal defeat last week in Vienna as top seed.
Other opening-day winners at an event where all 16 seeds get byes into the second round was American Robby Ginepri, who put out Spain’s Jean Luis Rascon 6-1, 6-4.
Peruvian Luis Horna set up a clash with defending champion Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain as he defeated stylish but slumping Moroccan Hicham Arazi 6-4, 7-5.
Ferrero, seeded sixth in a field where the world top four — Roger Federer, Andy Roddick, Guillermo Coria and Lleyton Hewitt are all missing — stands 23-15 this season without a title and a background of injuries.
The former French Open champion could use a dose of form in the closing run of the regular season if he’s to threaten in December’s Davis Cup final in Seville against the Americans.
Tim Henman owns the top seeding and plays against the winner form Irakli Labadze and Spaniard Albert Costa.
Back Atop Rankings, Davenport Plans to Play Australian Open
In New York, back at No. 1, Lindsay Davenport is putting retirement on hold and plans to play in next year’s Australian Open.
Davenport officially moved atop the WTA Tour computer rankings for the sixth time yesterday and said she tentatively has worked out a 2005 schedule through March.
The three-time Grand Slam tournament champion, who’s 28, said at Wimbledon that she thought this would be her final season. But a strong summer, including four straight titles and a 22-match winning streak, convinced Davenport that she can still contend.
“I was interested to hear that actually no player has retired at No. 1, but I don’t think that’s going to matter at all,” Davenport said in a conference call from her hometown of Laguna Beach, California. “I feel like I play for the opportunity and the chance to win Grand Slams. I had two chances this year at Wimbledon and the US Open,” she added. “I’m looking forward to going to Australia and trying to win again, and that’s definitely the way I’m headed right now.”
Davenport moved up one place to overtake Amelie Mauresmo, who spent about a month at the top. The Frenchwoman was just the second player to reach No. 1 in the WTA rankings without winning a major. Davenport first led the rankings in October 1998, then had brief stays in 1999 and 2000, last holding the spot in January 2002.
