Querrey Losing Streak Hits Six in San Jose, Del Potro Wins; Murray Returns in Rotterdam
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At a career-high ranking of No. 17, one would think life is good for Sam Querrey. However, closer inspection reveals the 23-year-old is mired in one of his worst career slumps. ADHEREL
Last night, Querrey, seeded No. 3 in his home state San Jose event where he was a semifinalist a year ago, was upset by Lukas Lacko 7-6(6), 6-3. The loss keeps him winless in 2011 at 0-3 and lifts his current losing streak to six matches. In fact, since that five set loss to Stan Wawrinka in the US Open fourth round, Querrey has just ONE match win – a first round triumph over Michael Berrer in Shanghai (he’s 1-8 in his last 9 matches).
“I just have to stick with it and a win will come and then hopefully more,” a hopeful Querrey, who nearly walked from his press conference, told the AP.
While Querrey flounders, things are looking up for Juan Martin Del Potro. The Argentine picked up his third win in his comeback bid thumping Teymuraz Gabashvili 6-3, 6-2. DelPo, ranked this week at No. 484(!!), now plays Lacko in the second round tomorrow.
Also in San Jose, youngsters Milos Raonic, Richard Berankis, Kei Nishikori and Donald Young all earned nice wins Tuesday. Roanic’s 20-ace effort against Mallise sets him up against the returning James Blake this afternoon while Young and Berankis go head-to-head.
“It’s nice playing these guys you used to watch,” blogged Raonic. “I think I’ll have an advantage – I’ll know him more than he’ll know me! So I’ll use that as much as I can. I know he’ll go for his shots. I’ll just take care of my serve and hopefully I’ll get a few chances on the return. I look forward to it.”
Other headliners today in San Jose include top two seeds Fernando Verdasco (v. Ram) and Gael Monfils (v. Klahn).
Across the pond in Rotterdam, Andy Murray makes his return Wednesday against Marcos Baghdatis. After the Novak Djokovic defeat Murray hinted that he might take some extra time off to shake the taste of that Australian Open final. But credit to Murray who sounds like he’ll try to play through it. The match against Marcos will certainly give an indication as to where’s Murray’s head is at.
Meanwhile, a few of his Top 10 rivals Robin Soderling, Tomas Berdych and JW Tsonga appear to be in fine form after coasting in straight set first round wins yesterday.
Tsonga, who beat Grigor Dmitrov 6-4, 6-4 yesterday, plays today against Michael Llodra. Marin Cilic is also on the schedule against Jurgen Melzer. [EDIT: Tsonga just won in three sets over Llodra]
WEDNESDAY SAN JOSE SCHEDULE
CENTER COURT start 9:45 am
R Sweeting (USA) vs I Karlovic (CRO)
R Berankis (LTU) vs D Young (USA)
R Kendrick (USA) vs I Kunitsyn (RUS)
Not Before 1:30 PM
J Del Potro (ARG) / S Querrey (USA) vs C Kas (GER) / A Peya (AUT)
J Blake (USA) vs M Raonic (CAN)
Not Before 7:00 PM
[1] F Verdasco (ESP) vs [WC] R Ram (USA)
[WC] B Klahn (USA) vs [2] G Monfils (FRA)
WEDNESDAY ROTTERDAM SCHEDULE
CENTRE COURT start 11:00 am
M Granollers (ESP) vs [6] M Youzhny (RUS)
[8] J Tsonga (FRA) vs M Llodra (FRA)
M Cilic (CRO) vs [5] J Melzer (AUT)
[WC] T de Bakker (NED) / R Haase (NED) vs F Lopez (ESP) / M Lopez (ESP)
Not Before 7:30 PM
M Baghdatis (CYP) vs [2] A Murray (GBR)
J Nieminen (FIN) vs V Troicki (SRB)
COURT 1 start 11:00 am
F Mayer (GER) vs F Lopez (ESP)
[Q] B Paire (FRA) vs G Simon (FRA)
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