The second day of qualifications ended under a stormy sky. Despite the rain, the most courageous spectators were able to witness the end of these decisive matches. Starting Monday, the first rounds kick off with matches that promise to be enticing, but only if the weather is favorable… which is far from certain.
The qualifiers dodge the raindrops
Started on Saturday, the qualifications for the Open de Nice Côte d’Azur concluded this Sunday.
A day marked by rain, interrupted matches, not exactly pleasing for tennis fans. In fact, the local spectators gradually deserted the site. While the qualifiers were able to finish their matches despite the weather, two matches for the first round had to be postponed to Monday. Thus, Malisse will try to sort things out against the Korean Lu after winning the first set (7/5), and the young Australian Bernard Tomic will make his debut.
As a result, four players advance to the main draw after a particularly challenging event: Americans Sam Querrey and Brian Baker, Brazilian Thomaz Bellucci, and Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, nicknamed “baby Federer” due to his gestures and expressions on the court that are strikingly similar to those of the Swiss player. Romanian Victor Hanescu, last year’s finalist, will not be participating.
Regarding the draw
Three Wild Cards were granted by the tournament organizers. The first went to Frenchman Benoit Paire, recent finalist at the Belgrade 250 clay tournament.
Spaniard Juan Carlos Ferrero, former world number one and former winner of Roland Garros, took advantage of Fernando Verdasco’s withdrawal, who was invited by the organizing committee, to enter the draw.
Frenchman Gaël Monfils, ranked 14th in the world, will benefit from the last invitation.
In a lack of confidence for several months, accumulating injuries, the Parisian started his season on the blue clay of Madrid with a modest third round, literally defeated by Berdych (6/1 6/1) before exiting the Rome tournament prematurely, defeated by Ferrero.
Having had a more than complicated start to the season, the French number 2 needs to chain matches as Roland Garros approaches. For this, he will need to do better than his brief appearance last year.
It should be noted that contrary to what may have been said or written, local player Gilles Simon will indeed be present on his home turf for the first time in his career, contrary to Richard Gasquet, who is out due to an injury.
The top four seeds, namely: Isner, Monfils, Almagro, and Simon, exempt from the first round, are directly qualified for the round of 16.
On the French side, Monfils will have to be careful with his entrance into the tournament where he will be up against Stakhowski or the surprising but extremely talented American Brian Baker, a player we will certainly be hearing more about.
The local player will face Dudi Sela or Grigor Dimitrov from the Mouratoglou Academy.
Possible quarter-finals:
Isner/Davydenko
Monfils/Tomic
Almagro/Fognini
Ferrero/Simon
Monday’s program
If weather conditions allow, Avenue Suzanne Lenglen should be the venue for exciting matches as early as the first round. Not surprising given the quality of the players participating in the tournament.
Monday’s lineup includes Juan Carlos Ferrero against Dutchman Robin Haase, as well as the entry of Nikolay Davydenko against Matthew Ebden.
The evening sessions will begin with the all-French clash between Benoît Paire and Edouard Roger-Vasselin…
