Federer Tests Annacone, Chela Tonight in Toronto; Soderling, Nalbandian On Court
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The new trial partnership between Roger Federer and coach Paul Annacone will have their first test tonight in Toronto. Federer plays the Argentine veteran Juan Ignacio Chela in what should be a comfortable opener for the Swiss at the Canadian Tennis Masters. ADHEREL
Federer, who hasn’t played since his stunning Wimbledon loss to Tomas Berdych, sounds eager to be back on court.
“I had a great vacation after Wimbledon,” Federer said. “Beautiful weather obviously in Europe, and we enjoyed that, and then it was nice to be home for like three weeks which is, for us, a very long time. I know it’s not that long, but three weeks for us is a big deal. So that was nice, you know, just get away from it all. Did a couple of sponsor things. Didn’t do any media whatsoever. So it was nice to get away from it all, you know, also, just the people, like the whole scene I know throughout the whole year, and then, you know, you get very excited again to go back on tour and pack your bags and go on a trip again. So very happy to be back on tour obviously again.”
The 29-year-old Federer has won all four meetings with Chela losing only one set. But they haven’t played since 2006.
As part of a “Swiss” evening session, Federer’s countryman Stan Wawrinka plays Frank Dancevic in the final center court match of the day.
Things begin in about 30 minutes with Wimbledon finalist Tomas Berdych against Sergiy Stakhovsky. Then in what could be the match of the day, the two Davids, David Ferrer and the hot David Nalbandian meet for an 11th time. Ferrer leads 6-4 but after his impressive Washington win, Nalbandian appears to be back in form and as dangerous as ever.
In a first time meeting of two of the biggest hitters, French Open finalist Robin Soderling meets Ernests Gulbis. Soderling is making his summer hardcourt debut while Gulbis enjoyed a good win Monday over Tomaz Bellucci.
Because of rain yesterday, the outer courts are loaded with Fernando Verdasco, Sam Querrey, Marin Cilic, Gael Monfils and Marcos Baghdatis.
Matches were completed Monday and among the results were Canadian Peter Polansky (who?) upsetting Jurgen Melzer, Stakhovsky crushing Richard Gasquet and in the late night doubles, the Canadians Roanic and Pospisil beat Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic 5-7, 6-3, 10-8 (TB). Let’s hope Federer/Annacone work out better than Djokovic/Nadal!
And good news, Tennis Channel’s live coverage of the Rogers Cup begins at 1pm today with Ferrer and Naldbandian.
TUESDAY TORONTO SCHEDULE
CENTRE COURT start 11:00 am
[7] T Berdych (CZE) vs S Stakhovsky (UKR)
Not Before 1:00 PM
[10] D Ferrer (ESP) vs D Nalbandian (ARG)
Not Before 3:00 PM
E Gulbis (LAT) vs [5] R Soderling (SWE)
Not Before 7:30 PM
J Chela (ARG) vs [3] R Federer (SUI)
[WC] F Dancevic (CAN) vs S Wawrinka (SUI)
GRANDSTAND start 11:00 am
[11] M Cilic (CRO) vs V Troicki (SRB)
M Baghdatis (CYP) vs J Chardy (FRA)
J Tipsarevic (SRB) vs P Kohlschreiber (GER)
F Gonzalez (CHI) vs [15] G Monfils (FRA)
E Schwank (ARG) vs [9] F Verdasco (ESP)
COURT 1 start 11:00 am
[Q] F Fognini (ITA) vs R Stepanek (CZE)
[WC] P Duclos (CAN) vs [Q] Y Lu (TPE)
[WC] V Pospisil (CAN) / M Raonic (CAN) vs [5] J Melzer (AUT) / P Petzschner (GER) – After Suitable Rest
[Q] M Russell (USA) vs [16] S Querrey (USA)
COURT 3 start 11:00 am
O Dolgopolov (UKR) vs P Petzschner (GER) 00
X Malisse (BEL) vs M Berrer (GER)
Not Before 3:00 PM
M Llodra (FRA) vs S Giraldo (COL)
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