Four second round matches are featured Thursday in Moscow at the Kremlin Cup, an ATP US$1,000,000 International Series tournament.
The first match out on Centre sees a first time meeting between unseeded German Michael Berrer and second-seeded Russian Mikhail Youzhny. Berrer has made the quarterfinals in two ATP events this year, falling to Benneteau in ‘s-Hertogenbosch and to Kiefer in Los Angeles. He is playing in his first ATP tournament since the US Open where he lost second round (l. to Gulbis). The 27-year-old German is 1-1 against Top 20 players this season, losing to Davydenko in Rotterdam, but defeating Canas on his way to the ‘s-Hertogenbosch quarterfinals. Ranked No. 72 in the South African Airways ATP Rankings, Berrer is making his debut at the Kremlin Cup. In contrast, World No. 17 Youzhny is playing in Moscow for the ninth time, enjoying his best result three years ago when he made the semifinals (l. to Davydenko). The Russian had a good start to the season, winning his third ATP title in Rotterdam in February (d. Ljubicic) and reaching the finals in Dubai (l. to Federer) and Munich (l. to Kohlschreiber), which helped him break into the Top 10 for the first time in August. However, a disappointing North American hard-court season, including second round exits at AMS Cincinnati and the US Open, have seen the 25-year-old’s ranking slide down to No. 17. He has a 23-13 lifetime against German players and is currently 13-2 indoors this season.
The second match on Centre is an all-Russian encounter between unseeded Igor Andreev and fifth-seeded wild card Marat Safin. Safin won their only encounter in straight sets in Valencia a year ago. Positioned at No. 29 in the ATP 2007 Race, Andreev has had a very consistent year. After being forced to miss much of the latter stages of 2006 due to left knee surgery, Andreev came back well in 2007, reaching the quarterfinals or better in seven events, including the quarterfinals at Roland Garros (l. to Djokovic). Moscow has been a good tournament for Andreev; the 24-year-old won the title in 2005 (d. Kiefer) and made the quarterfinals in 2003 (l. to Mathieu). Against his compatriots Andreev has a 5-4 lifetime record. Safin is making his return to the ATP circuit after an aborted attempt to climb Cho-Oyu, the world’s sixth highest mountain. Former World No. 1 Safin is currently No. 28 in the South African Airways ATP Rankings. He enjoyed a successful start to the season, reaching the semifinals in Las Vegas (l. to Hewitt) and making three quarterfinal appearances. However, since reaching the quarterfinals in Washington (l. to Monfils), Safin had a disappointing summer and only won two matches during the ATP Masters Series in Montreal and Cincinnati and the US Open. Safin is making his 10th appearance in Moscow, his best result coming last year when he finished runner-up (l. to Davydenko). Safin has a 14-6 lifetime record against fellow Russians.
Last out on Centre Court is top-seeded Russian Nikolay Davydenko against unseeded Ecuadorian Nicolas Lapentti. Davydenko has struggled against Lapentti in the past, trailing the head-to-head series 1-3, although he did win their most recent encounter in Poertschach this season. World No. 4 Davydenko has had an extremely consistent year, reaching the quarterfinals or better in 10 events this season, including semifinal appearances at the US Open and Roland Garros, losing to Federer both times, although the Russian is still searching for his first final of the year. Since reaching the semifinals at the US Open, Davydenko played in Beijing where he lost in the second round to Marin Cilic. Currently 46-27 for the season, Davydenko is a two-time champion in Moscow, winning the title in 2004 (d. Rusedski) and last year (d. Safin). Lapentti has recorded a 10-12 season, reaching the quarterfinals in Kitzbuhel (l. to Calleri). The 31-year-old reached the second round in Metz last week (l. to Andreev) and prior to that won a Challenger title in Grenoble. Currently ranked World No. 113, Lapentti has been as high as No. 6 (November 22, 1999) and has won five career ATP titles, his most recent in St. Poelten in 2002.
Court One features a second round match between third-seeded Scot Andy Murray unseeded Serbian Janko Tipsarevic. Murray defeated Tipsarevic in Metz last week, avenging the defeat he suffered at Queen’s Club last season. The 20-year-old Murray began 2007 in excellent form, collecting his second ATP title in San Jose (d. Karlovic), reaching the final in Doha (l. to Ljubicic) and making the semifinals in AMS Indian Wells and AMS Miami (falling to Djokovic both times), reaching a career high ranking of No. 8 in the South African Airways ATP Rankings (June 18, 2007). However, he suffered a wrist injury at AMS Hamburg, which kept him out for three months before he was able to make his comeback at ATP Masters Series Montreal. Moscow debutant Murray looked to be well on his way back in Metz last week though, reaching the final before losing to Robredo. World No. 68 Tipsarevic was a quarterfinalist in ‘s-Hertogenbosch in June. However the Serb has struggled recently, prior to his first round win over Sergio Roitman, he had won just one match since Wimbledon. The 23-year-old is 2-11 this season against Top 20 players and is appearing in Moscow for the second time after reaching the quarterfinals last season (l. to Safin). (ATP Digital Services)
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