Djokovic reaches Madrid Masters third round
16/10/2008 16:21
Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic advanced to the third round of the
Madrid Masters yesterday after Victor Hanescu of Romania retired due to an
apparent groin injury while trailing 6-7 (8), 7-6 (8), 3-1. Hanescu won the
first-set tiebreaker on his third set point when Djokovic hit a forehand
long. Hanescu saved a set point in the second set by hitting a powerful
forehand to catch the third-ranked Djokovic going the wrong way in the 12th
game. The 1.98-meter Hanescu trailed 4-1 in the ensuing tiebreaker before
leveling at 5-5. But Djokovic finally evened the match on his second set point
with a backhand shot. American qualifier Robby Ginepri scored the day's first
upset by beating fifth-ranked Nikolay Davydenko 4-6, 6-4, 6-4. Top-ranked
Rafael Nadal pulled out of doubles play with Carlos Moya on Tuesday due to a
slight upper leg injury. David Nalbandian won his sixth straight match by
defeating Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic 6-2, 6-7 (5), 6-1. Australian
Open finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga advanced after rallying to beat Spanish
qualifier Marcel Granollers 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (5). Tsonga will next face either
second-ranked Roger Federer or Radek Stepanek, who play later
yesterday.
Xinhua
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