Costa Ousts Top Seed, Ferrero v Nadal Today at ATP Valencia

Albert Costa, unseeded at the ATP stop in Valencia, led the Spanish charge Tuesday when the former Roland Garros champ ousted top-seeded Russian Nikolay Davydenko 7-6(2), 1-6, 6-3 in opening-round play.

Other members of the Spanish Armada advancing were (5) David Ferrer (d. Benneteau), (6) Fernando Verdasco (d. (Q) Berrer), Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (d. Kohlschrieber), Felix Mantilla (d. O.Hernandez, bagel in the first), Albert Martin (d. countryman Montanes from a set down), and qualifier I. Navarro Pastor (d. (8) Carlsen).

Other un-seeds into the second round were Italians Potito Starace (d. Calatrava) and qualifier Federico Luzzi (d. (WC) Corretja in two tiebreaks), and Frenchman Anthony Dupuis (d. (Q) Djokovic).

On court Wednesday in Valencia are Mantilla vs. (2) Fernando "Gonzo" Gonzalez, Costa vs. Koubek, the former No. 1 Ferrero vs. (3) Rafael "The Prodigy" Nadal in the day's popcorn match, (Q) Luzzi vs. (6) Fernando "Hot Sauce" Verdasco, and (Q) Navarro Pastor vs. Dupuis.