Seven first round and three second round matches highlight Tuesday’s schedule at the ATP Madrid Masters, including the second round match of World No. 1 and defending champion Roger Federer.
The Swiss superstar, playing his first event since winning his fourth straight US Open on September 9, faces qualifier Robby Ginepri. Federer has a 38-match win streak against Americans since a loss to Andy Roddick in the semifinals of ATP Masters Series Montreal on August 9, 2003.
Also in second round play is No. 11 seed Tommy Haas against Juan Monaco, and No. 15 seed Juan Ignacio Chela against British No. 1 Andy Murray. Chela and Murray are No. 16 and No. 17 in this week’s South African Airways ATP Rankings.
In first round action, ATP Aces King Ivo Karlovic, coming off his third title of the year on Sunday in Stockholm, faces 2004 Madrid winner Marat Safin. Juan Carlos Ferrero, who won his last ATP title in Madrid in 2003, plays Colombian qualifier Alejandro Falla.
FEDERER FASTFACTS
Another phenomenal season for the World No. 1, reaching the final at nine of 12 events entered and coming away with six titles, incl. winning his 10th, 11th and 12th career Grand Slam titles at Australian Open (second straight, third overall), Wimbledon (fifth straight) and US Open (fourth straight); has a 54-6 record coming into Madrid (incl. 30-3 on hardcourts).
Three-time runner-up, at AMS Monte-Carlo and Roland Garros (l. to Nadal at both) and at AMS Canada in the summer (l. to Djokovic in a third set tie-break).
His three pre-final losses all came pre-quarterfinal as well, falling in the second round of AMS Indian Wells and the fourth round of AMS Miami (l. to Canas both times) and falling in the third round at AMS Rome (l. to Volandri).
His title run at AMS Hamburg broke a span of four tournaments without a title (AMS Indian Wells, AMS Miami, AMS Monte-Carlo, AMS Rome), his longest drought since he became No. 1 in the world (on February 2, 2004); the last time this occurred was when he played Gstaad, AMS Canada, Cincinnati and the US Open without a title (summer of 2003).
Split with coach Tony Roche after falling in Monte-Carlo final (to Nadal) and in third round of Rome (to Volandri); has a 35-2 mark since they split.
By virtue of his Australian Open title, became the first man to win three different Grand Slam titles at least three times; then, after one-month break, returned to action at Dubai and won his fourth title there in the last five years.
His career-best 41-match win streak came to an end with his opening round loss at Indian Wells to Canas (l. to Canas again in his next tournament in Miami).
Reached 500 career match wins on April 20 with his Monte-Carlo quarterfinal win (d. Ferrer).
GINEPRI FASTFACTS
Comes into Madrid with 11-18 record (9-11 on hard).
Has suffered pre-quarterfinal losses at all 18 of his ATP main draws this year, winning back-to-back matches just three times, at Australian Open (l. to Blake in third round), Queen’s Club (l. to Gonzalez in third round) and US Open (l. to Wawrinka in five sets in third round).
Has not beaten a Top 30 player all year, his best win coming against No. 31 Almagro in Australian Open first round (winning in five sets). (ATP Digital Services)
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