Soderling, Other Top Seeds Into Third Round
By James Waterson
Photo Credit: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Sport
(May 26, 2011) Robin Soderling advanced to the third round of the French Open after he dismissed Albert Ramos 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 Thursday.
Soderling, the Swedish World No. 5, limited Ramos to one break of serve by winning 83 percent of points on his first serve with a 59 percent first serve percentage.
He also had seven aces, but he nullified that with seven double faults.
In the third round, the Swede will face 217th-ranked Leonardo Mayer of Argentina. Mayer upset former Australian Open finalist and 27th-seeded Marcos Baghdatis 7-5, 6-4, 7-6 (6).
Meanwhile, Mardy Fish, the American World No 10, overwhelmed Robin Haase of the Netherlands 7-6 (1), 6-2, 6-1.
Although Fish had a relatively low 52 percent first-serve percentage, it didn’t hurt him because he won 67 percent of his second-serve points and 81 percent of points on his first serve.
He also pressured Haase, the World No. 54, in his return games. He won 45 percent of his return points and he converted five of 17 break point opportunities. Fish gave Haase only once chance to break him, but the Dutchman couldn’t take his chance.
This is the furthest the 29-year-old Fish has advanced at Roland Garros in his career. In fact, before the tournament, the American had only won two matches on la terra bateau.
Fish and Simon split two matches against each other, with the American claiming victory in straight sets at the 2010 Western & Southern Financial Group Masters.
The American has a 4-1 record against Chardy, beating him in straight sets in Delray Beach last year.
Former top 10 player Ivan Ljubicic eliminated the other American left in the draw, the 24th-seeded Sam Querrey, 7-6 (2), 6-4, 6-4.
Querrey had no luck on his return, as Ljubicic won a stunning 90 percent of his first-serve points. He earned only one break point chance, which he didn’t convert.
Verdasco returned well, limiting Malisse to winning 45 percent of his second serve points and breaking him five times in the match.
Yet both players hit more errors than winners. Verdasco fared better with 39 winners and 44 unforced errors, while Malisse hit 32 winners and 53 unforced errors.
Ljubicic holds a 2-1 advantage against Verdasco, and he won their last match at the 2009 Shanghai Rolex Masters.
Yet Verdasco is in better form, as Ljubicic’s ranking has slipped during the last few years.