MADRID, 21 October 2005 — American Robby Ginepri upset third seed Nikolay Davydenko with a high-quality 6-3 7-5 victory to claim a place in the quarterfinals of the Madrid Masters yesterday.
The 23-year-old will be joined in the last eight of the hardcourt tournament by fifth seed David Nalbandian, who notched a 6-3 7-5 win over Sweden’s Thomas Johansson.
The powerful Ginepri, a US Open semifinalist, had to push himself to the limit to beat world number eight Davydenko, but he gained the crucial advantage when he won the best point of the match with a running forehand pass to go 6-5 up in the second set.
The never-say-die Russian saved four match points in the 12th game, but finally succumbed when Ginepri won his serve with an ace.
Ginepri, who won at Indianapolis earlier this year, will meet either Spain’s David Ferrer or Argentine Mariano Puerta in the quarters.
Earlier Nalbandian made a confident start against Johansson by breaking serve in the fourth game to go 3-1 up.
Johansson, who won the only previous meeting between the players at the Wimbledon quarterfinals this year, fought back and put the Nalbandian serve under pressure. But the Argentine held firm to take the first set.
In the second, Nalbandian produced a series of devastating returns to break the Johansson serve in the 11th game and take a 6-5 lead before serving for the match. Nalbandian will meet the winner of the match between Czech Dominik Hrbaty and lofty Croatian Ivo Karlovic. Top seed and world number two Rafael Nadal takes on Tommy Robredo in an all-Spanish duel later, continuing his bid to win his fourth Masters Series event of the year.
Qualifier Srebotnik Bundles
Mauresmo Out of Zurich Open
Amelie Mauresmo was bundled out of the Zurich Open yesterday by qualifier Katarina Srebotnik. Second-seeded Mauresmo, who had not conceded a set to the Slovak in their three previous meetings, was beaten 6-2, 6-0 in just 54 minutes.
Srebotnik looked far more eager for battle against the lethargic French world No. 4, and broke in the opening game when Mauresmo netted a forehand. Mauresmo then double-faulted the first point of the fifth game, eventually conceding the game when the enterprising Srebotnik fired a backhand volley at the net.
Mauresmo, who also claimed just two games in losing her opening match last week in Moscow, failed to raise her level in the second set and was unable to win a game.
Philippoussis Gains Wildcard
Entry to Adelaide International
In Sydney, two-time Grand Slam finalist Australian Mark Philippoussis was yesterday confirmed as a wildcard player for the 2006 Adelaide International.
Philippoussis, 28, made the quarterfinal of the Metz tournament in France earlier this month but has otherwise experienced a form slump this year. His current world ranking is 176. Organizers said Philippoussis had been chosen for the 32-player draw because “tennis fans love his explosive brand of tennis.” “This tournament is committed to providing Australia’s men the best possible preparation for the Australian Open and as many opportunities as it can for those players trying to break through and compete at the highest level,” Peter Johnston said.
