World number one Roger Federer faced a real test against Spanish player Alberto Martin. The Swiss player, who had slight difficulties in the first round against Djokovic, was meeting a clay court specialist who had reached the quarterfinals three times at the Monte-Carlo Country Club courts. The two players were facing each other for the first time. All signs pointed to a threat for great Roger. It was nothing of the sort. A few figures to prove the domination of the Swiss: 14 minutes to lead 5-0 in the first set, 21 to win the first set and only eight points won for the Spaniard, 46 minutes is the total duration of the match. Federer’s victory was therefore overwhelming 6-0 6-1. He delivered a recital to the large crowd present on Wednesday. Children from tennis schools were able to appreciate champion Federer’s perfect technique. Alberto Martin did not have the weapons to compete. The Spaniard accumulated direct faults especially in the slice. At each short ball, he was punished by the Swiss player’s accelerations. A recital! In the next round, the world number one will face Monégasque Benjamin Balleret, the tournament’s revelation, ranked beyond the 300th place. The principality’s tennis player benefited from Sébastien Grosjean’s withdrawal, injured in the back, when the two men were tied one set each. Roger Federer stated after his match that he was “comfortable with Monte-Carlo’s clay and needed the first round to adapt to the playing conditions.”
Rafaël Nadal had a bit more difficulty eliminating Cannes native Jean-René Lisnard, the new Monégasque. The first set was tight (6-4) with only six points difference, four break points for the Côte d’Azur player against three for the defending champion. Jean-René Lisnard gave his all and has no regrets. He lost with honors. He tried everything. He varied his game by coming to the net. Despite some superb exchanges where the two players traded blows equally, nothing worked. Rafaël Nadal was too strong. He’s a fighting bull. He constantly charges his opponent with his heavy hitting. He wears down before delivering the final blow. Easy victory 6-4 6-1 for the Spaniard who will play in the third round against Kristof Vliegen, the Belgian giant at 1.93m. An opponent well within Nadal’s reach.
The two rivals, Federer and Nadal, succeeded each other on Wednesday on Monte-Carlo’s main court. The Swiss player undoubtedly made the better impression. He delivered a perfect copy without mistakes, the Iberian’s was a bit sloppy. But the two men are calmly continuing their path. They may meet again in Sunday’s final.
Coria-Mathieu: A very great match
They should beware of two clay court specialists who seem to be regaining their level. Juan-Carlos Ferrero who made short work of Argentine Juan-Ignacio Chela (6-1, 6-2) and especially Guillermo Coria. The small Argentine needed a set and a half to settle accounts with Frenchman Paul-Henri Mathieu.
“Polo” after eliminating Marat Safin in the first round, had four match points to bring down another circuit powerhouse. Paul-Henri Mathieu led 6-1 5-1. The match seemed over. The Alsatian was hitting harder, multiplying lightning accelerations. Coria was suffering. He was even absent or distracted. His 16 double faults in the first set prove it. At 5-2 in the second set, the Argentine raises his level of play. We see the true Coria. He defends and returns all of Mathieu’s slaps. We then witness very great tennis, undoubtedly the best match since Monday. The Argentine’s defensive moves, winner at Monte-Carlo in 2004, paint the lines white. Mathieu gives in in the tiebreak of the second set (8 points to 6) then in the decisive set (6 games to 4) even though he managed to save five match points in turn.
Paul-Henri Mathieu played excellent tennis. He must build on that to continue his season. Unfortunately, this defeat will lead many to say that “Polo’s” only weak point remains mental.
On the French side:
A disaster!
Paul-Henri Mathieu eliminated by Guillermo Coria.
Michaël Llodra by Nicolas Kiefer.
Florent Serra, despite a brave showing, by Ivan Lubjicic, one of the tournament’s serious outsiders.
Sébastien Grosjean withdrew in the third set (back injury) against Monégasque Benjamin Balleret.
Only Gilles Simon, recent finalist in Valencia, qualified for the third round. He defeated Tomas Berdych, seeded number 16 and winner last fall of the Paris-Bercy Open. Gilles Simon will meet Ivan Lubjicic.
The eight round of 16 matches:
-Federer-Balleret: the star against the tournament’s surprise and last Côte d’Azur representative.
-Ferrero-Ferrer: a Spanish duel. We can judge whether Ferrero has made a comeback or not.
-Lubjicic-Simon: the last French representative will try to put the number 4 seed in difficulty.
-Gonzalez-Soderling: the Chilean against the Swede. A battle of hitters!
-Gaudio-Di Mauro: The Italian Di Mauro from qualifying will face the former Roland Garros winner.
-Robredo-Nalbandian: a beautiful match in prospect.
-Coria-Kiefer: The Argentine should annoy the German big hitter. A clash of styles!
-Vliegen-Nadal: The Spaniard is favored.
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