NOTTINGHAM, 15 June 2004 — Jonas Bjorkman of Sweden, twice a winner of the Nottingham Open, eased through to the last 16 of the event yesterday.
The world No. 27, seeded three for the tournament, produced a straight sets victory over Pakistan’s Aisam Ul-Haq Qureshi 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 in the opening round.
His path to a third title was made easier by the loss of the tournament’s No. 2 seed Mardy Fish.
The world No. 18 pulled out because of a hip injury following his defeat by Roger Federer in the final of the Gerry Weber Open in Halle, Germany on Sunday.
Fish was beaten by Britain’s Greg Rusedski in the final of the Nottingham Open last year.
One of the biggest surprises of the first day was the victory of Britain’s Alex Bogdanovic over the Swede Joachim Johansson.
Bogdanovic is ranked 307 in the world and had his funding withdrawn by the British Lawn Tennis Association because of question marks about his commitment.
But he produced a stubborn performance to overcome the world No. 45 7-6 (7-5), 6-4.
American Jan-Michael Gambill also went through to the second round with a straight-sets victory over Wesley Moodie.
Gambill, who reached the Wimbledon quarterfinals in 2000, defeated the South African 6-4, 6-2. The No. 7 seed Hicham Arazi also went through against Britain’s Lee Childs 6-3, 6-3.
The Moroccan world No. 35 progressed despite having his serve broken in the opening game.
Sweden’s Robin Soderling struggled David Ferrer of Spain 7-6 (7-5), 3-6, 6-2.
Fifth-seeded American Vince Spadea justified his status as the world No. 30 by defeating France’s Gregory Carraz 6-3, 7-5.
South African veteran Wayne Ferreira enjoyed a fierce struggle with the Spaniard Alberto Martin before prevailing 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7 5).
Maleeva Rebounds to Thrash Briton
In London, Bulgaria’s Magdalena Maleeva overcame a slow start to bulldoze British No. 1 Anne Keothavong out of the Eastbourne International yesterday.
The eighth seed dropped the opening set before getting back on track at Devonshire Park to beat Keothavong 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 and advance to the second round.
Sixth seed Anna Smashnova-Pistolesi was not so fortunate, the Israeli losing 6-2, 6-4 in the opening round to Croatia’s Karolina Sprem.
France’s Nathalie Dechy also advanced to round two with a 6-2, 6-1 victory over this year’s Australian Open semifinalist, Fabiola Zuluaga of Colombia.
