Djokovic, Ferrer Open Clay Season Tuesday In Monte Carlo; Fognini Authors Fabulous Escape
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Defending champion Novak Djokovic opens his 2014 clay season tomorrow in Monte Carlo. After a sub-par start to the season, the World No. 2 who beat Rafael Nadal in the final last year, enters having just won the Indian Well-Miami double.
“Right now I do have confidence after the wins that I had in Indian Wells and Miami,” Djokovic said. “They arrived at the right moment for me because I had a bit of a slow start to the season. Beating Rafa and Roger [Federer] in the finals definitely gives me a confidence boost. Hopefully I can use that at the start of the clay-court season.”
With Boris Becker expected back in his box, Djokovic will face qualifier Albert Montanes in the second round. The Serb and Nadal have combined to win the last nine Masters 1000 events.
Also in action is 2013 French Open finalist David Ferrer, Tomas Berdych and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
Earlier this afternoon in first round play seeds Fabio Fognini and Tommy Robredo both advanced. Fognini won the match of the day overcoming a 7-5, 5-2, 30-0 deficit to shock Joao Sousa.
“I don’t know what happened to me. I was [up] 5-3 in the first set, then I was [down] 7-5, 2-0, then 5-2,” said Fognini a semifinalist in 2013. “If you want to talk about my tennis, I’m not happy today. But, you know, on the other hand, I was I think a bit lucky. But happy to be in the second round again because this victory, it’s really important for me.”
The flamboyant Italian will next face Roberto Bautista Agut on Wednesday. Also on Wednesday Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer will begin their event. Federer meets Radek Stepanek who was an easy winner today over Ivo Karlovic.
TUESDAY MONTE CARLO SCHEDULE
COURT CENTRAL start 10:30 am
A Seppi (ITA) vs [13] M Youzhny (RUS)
[9] J Tsonga (FRA) vs P Kohlschreiber (GER)
[Q] A Montanes (ESP) vs [2] N Djokovic (SRB)
J Chardy (FRA) vs [6] D Ferrer (ESP)
COURT DES PRINCES start 10:30 am
[Q] T Gabashvili (RUS) vs G Simon (FRA)
[12] G Dimitrov (BUL) vs M Granollers (ESP)
[14] K Anderson (RSA) vs G Monfils (FRA)
[5] T Berdych (CZE) vs D Tursunov (RUS)
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