Dani Koellerer is entertainment, Seppi dumping an easy backhand and Hajek back in Down Under 1st Round Reports

Kavcic vs. Odesnik

Kavcic started the match well in these trying conditions which were windy at times in amongst the showers, which were on and off. It would drizzle, then shower down for about 10 minutes and the court would need time to dry and once they started they had to go off again. Kavcic took the first set as he was able to keep Odesnik on the back foot and got him to make errors on the backhand side.

Odesnik did the usual toilet break thing after the 1st set and with the delays stuffed up Kavcic's rhythm. Odesnik used his experience in handling the conditions better and was able to turn the match around using his forehand to dominate and Kavcic was just running and pushing the ball back and lost the mental battle. Especially after the 3rd set where on Odesnik's set point at 40-30, big Wayne hit one wide and long and it was missed.

Russell vs. del Potro

Brutal draw for Mike, but he didn't let that phase him. He started well and broke early, but he wasn't able to hold the initiative and was broken back immediately. He made a few more errors than usual because of the pressure of the Tandil tower's shots keeping the ball play just wasn't going towork.

The second set was similar as he pressed more on his serve than usual, because if he didn't hit a good second serve, then he was going to be fodder for del Potro and this happened more often than not. This lead to more double faults than usual.

Russell hit some excellent returns, there was a screaming backhand down the line winner as del Potro smacks an off forehand and Russell just redirects down the line for the winner. Mikey served out the 3rd set and deserved to win a set and he had a high first serve percentage and good serving as well.

Del Potro will be better for the workout in this one and as they say luck of the draw as Russell would have beaten a lot of players on this showing. The key is for guys like this to try and keep playing well when the draws become a bit easier.

Isner vs. Seppi

Slow start Seppi was at it again, he hates the morning matches and playing against the tree Isner isn't going to help get rhythm to wake up. The first two sets Seppi just gave up his early service game and Isner was dropping the bombs and able to hit the big forehand when the returns came back.

Isner's serve starts to go off a bit as Seppi is able to get more returns into play and once he does this, he is naturally the much better player. Seppi broke for the set, which given his record of serving out sets was beneficial.

The fourth set continues in much the same pattern with Isner serving huge, but Seppi is getting a better read on the ball and able to engage in rallies and breaking down Isner's weaker backhand side. Seppi steps it up and breaks to take the fourth set where he is serving first.

At this time it was the turning point of the match. Seppi misses a few first serves, but dumps 4 forehands halfway up the net with not much pressure on and after that lapse of concentration gets broken. He has a massive chance to get back on serve at 30-40. Isner rips a serve and Seppi returns it as Isner comes into the net bluffing and frames a shot which ends up being a mid court mishit and Seppi has an easy backhand pass but fucks it up. After that boom,boom, the match is over.

Got to say even after losing a match like this Seppi was very good with the fans he posed for about 5 or 6 photos after he lost, which not so many of them do.

Koellerer vs. Veic

Crazy Dani called for the trainer after one game and he has had some injury problems. Initially it was a stomach problem and then it was the lower back, but these things tend to get worse when one is losing.

Veic and Koellerer played only once in a Futures event and there was almost a fight. Veic is a small guy with a bit of stubble and the Björn Borg headband, he runs a lot and fights hard but doesn't have great weapons. These two had long rallies with Koellerer trying to vary the tactics and Veic defending well.

This match was put on Court 4 which is standing on one side and 3 rows on the other side, needless to say the rows were filled as were the aisles on that side and on the other side it was 10 deep and people from Court 6 at the Gulbis/Monaco match wanting to have a look,in addition to them clapping points in the Dani match and that interfered in the Monaco match.

Dani got a warning for audible obscenity and then said why didn't Veic get the same and a code for smashing the racquet. He bitched about the linecalls, when Veic said something it was along the lines of from Koellerer "shut up it's 8-1 to you in the line calls". He kicked a ball and then after Veic broke in the 5th set, he bitched about all the luck Veic was having.

Good win for Veic, but Koellerer and Monfils would have been all about the antics. Lots of players were watching this Darcis, Chris and Oli Rochus, Melzer, Nyström, Lapentti among them.

Giraldo vs. Robredo

Excellent stuff from the Colombian who was hitting very cleanly and flat, so this took time away from Robredo and he struggled to deal with it. It was similar to when Youzhny chopped Boredo at the US Open. Giraldo obviously isn't in that class, but he does have some ability and if he could get some consistency should be able to make the top 100 on that showing.

Koubek vs. Ram
Rajeev Rampras isn't a bad first round draw and Koubek improved from his qualifying performances against an opponent that plays differently from the ones he faced earlier.

Ram started well and was getting into the groove on serve and took the first set. He was serving and volleying well, but Koubek was playing a bit closer to the baseline than in previous matches and hitting the ball better so he was able to take the 2nd set.

Stef played a poor game and Ram was able to capitalise on it to take the set 7-5. Koubek got a bit of frustration out, but was able to read Ram's serve quite well and able to keep him away from the net and expose the lack of mobility on the baseline. The last 2 sets were comfortable for Koubek and he wasn't too passive and a big chance for the third round here.

Hajek vs. Ginepri

Good to see Hajek back in Australia after his bad experiences here last time. He had a great year last year almost cracking the top 100.

I thought he was a good chance to take this match against the robotic Ginepri. Hajek was having a problem with foot faults and getting called regularly, but he was outhitting Ginepri from the baseline off both sides. His forehand worked the angles and he used the backhand down the line to give it to Ginepri from all sides.

The first two sets were close in scoreline but Hajek had a bit more in the tank and tank is what Ginepri did in the last set, well that and Hajek raised his game.

One funny incident at the start of the 3rd set, the umpire says "Hajek to serve in the 3rd and final set" and Ginepri is bemused and says "hmm, the final set". The umpire had the vision for sure in this and Hajek was too good.

Hernandez vs. Montañes

The match of the best friends which is never easy at the best of times, especially since the King has a lower back problem something to do with the disc. He was getting a lot of treatment for it, but the first set they played was quite good tennis with Montañes being the more aggressive and using the sneaky serve to stretch the King out of court. It went to a TB and there was a forehand that the King had a chance to nail, but he pulled off the stroke and missed it. From there Montañes stepped it up and did the business.

At 2-1 in the second set the King took an injury timeout for the back problem, completed the next game won it and then retired. Naturally he was disappointed and Montañes showed his concern for his friend, but Oscar is still a man of the people and appreciated the support. Yes, he is aware of the Facebook group that honours him.


Istomin vs. Chardy

There must be something wrong with Chardy, as in off the court. I am not a fan of his and think he is just a ballbasher, but as much as I don't mind Istomin this was a very poor and useless showing from Chardy.

Youzhny vs. Gasquet

Richie was involved in another long epic match that he ended up losing from 2 sets up. The forehand doesn't seem as technically deficient as it was before and the backhand was working well and took the first two sets.

Youzhny was a bit slow to start, but not absolutely hideous, he starts to improve his game by being aggressive, there is a difference between ballbashing and being aggressive. Basically the difference was that Youzhny stepped it up when he needed to by being aggressive and didn't get down on himself too much when he went down a break in the 5th. He must have a thing for Frenchies coming back from 2 sets down. He should win against Hajek, just hope Jan is competitive in this one.


Yes, it's a bit late as there were so many matches on Tuesday, but should be on track soon.