Top-seeded Schuettler Stopped in Munich Quarters

Posted on May 2, 2004

While Rainer Schuettler's results have improved dramatically with the advent of the claycourt season, that first title of the year continues to elude him. The top-seeded Schuettler was bounced from the ATP stop in Munich Friday, ousted by unseeded Russian Nikolay Davydenko 6-1, 7-6(4).

"He put on the fireworks, while I needed some time to get into the match," Schuettler said. "I played better in the second set, where I was able to put more pressure on him. I had my chances at the end but I couldn't take them."

No. 4 seed Martin "Berzerk" Verkerk was the lone seed advancing into the semis with a straight-set win over Swiss Michel Kratochvil. Other un-seeds advancing were Luis "Me So" Horna (d. Stepanek in two tiebreaks) and the diminutive Olivier "The Roach" Rochus of Belgium (d. (Q)Waske in three sets).

Today's semifinals feature Davydenko vs. Me So (tied 1-1), and (4)Verkerk vs. The Roach (first meeting).

The four highest remaining seeds bombed out in the Barcelona quarterfinals Friday, with losers (3)David Nalbandian (l. to (Q)Vliegen), (5)Fernando Gonzalez (l. to (8)Robredo 7-6 in the third), (7)Agustin Calleri (l. to Montanes, who saved two match points), and (6)Gustavo Kuerten (l. to (13)Gaudio, with Guga retiring with injury in the third).

Saturday's semi line-up is not a big ticket-seller in Montanes vs. (13)Gaudio (Gaudio leads career meetings 1-0), and (8)Robredo vs. (Q)Vliegen (first meeting).

WTA REVIEWS/PREVIEWS
Top seed and defending champ Amelie Mauresmo was sent out in the quarterfinals at Warsaw Friday by No. 9 seed Francesca Schiavone, who outlasted the Frenchwoman 3-6, 7-6(2), 6-1 on the slow red dirt.

"I felt sure I would win after the first set but by the third set it was her dictating the conditions," Mauresmo said. "I know that I have to train harder to get back to my best. In the end one lost game is not a big deal."

Mauresmo is hoping to regain her fitness by the French Open after an extended rest due to a back injury. Other quarterfinal winners were (2)Venus Williams (d. Maleeva 6-1, 6-0), and Russians (3)Vera Zvonareva (d. (8)Smashnova-Pistolesi) and (4)Svetlana Kuznetsova (d. (6)Farina Elia).

Saturday's semifinals line up as (9)Schiavone vs. (4)Kuznetsova, and (3)Zvonareva vs. (2)Venus, setting up the possible all-Russian final.

Two unseeded players bullied their way into the Budapest semis Friday, with Slovak Martina "Nurse, Hand Me a" Sucha ousting (2)Petra Mandula in three sets, and Italy's Flavia "Of the Day" Pennetta besting Croatian qualifier Sanda Mamic in three. Two seeded players also advanced in (6)Iveta Benesova (d. (3)Kapros) and (8)Jelena Jankovic (d. Cervanova 6-0, 6-0). On tap for today are (6)Benesova vs. Sucha, and Pennetta vs. (8)Jankovic.

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NEWS, NOTES, QUOTES AND BARBS
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