CINCINNATI: Robby Ginepri hoped to increase Roger Federer's troubles after making sure on Monday that he would be the world No 1's first opponent in the Masters Series.
The American set up that clash with a 6-0, 7-6 (5) first-round victory over Jonas Bjorkman, Sweden's former world No 4, raising hopes that he can play as well as when he met Federer in the semifinals three years ago.
Then Ginepri came within a couple of points of pulling off an extraordinary upset. Even if his current form has not been quite so outstanding, neither has Federer's.
"This obviously would be the best time to play him," Ginepri said. "First rounds are the most difficult in tournaments - until you've got your feet well into the tournament.
Robby Ginepri of the US returns a shot to Paul-Henri Mathieu of France during the Rogers Cup at the Rexall Center at York University on July 21 in Toronto.China Daily/Agencies
"He's coming from (an opening round) loss last week, and it's only the second hard-court tournament," added Ginepri, referring to Federer's loss to Gilles Simon of France at the Masters Series in Toronto.
"And maybe if he feels the pressure of the No 1 ranking it will be a good chance for me tomorrow."
Federer probably has to reach the semifinals to ensure that Rafael Nadal cannot end his four-and-a-half year reign at the top this week.
The Spaniard has won five successive tournaments, and may be adapting his clay-raised game to hard courts as brilliantly as he did to grass while taking away Federer's Wimbledon title three weeks ago.
A further complication of the Federer-Ginepri second round match is that Jose Higueras will not know whom to help.
The Spaniard was already Ginepri's coach when he agreed to work with Federer as well earlier this year.
"When Jose approached me with the situation, he said 'If you're not happy with this I'll stop working with him.'" joked Ginepri.
"So maybe I'll tell him that tonight, that I'm a little upset with the situation, and see what he says.
"I'm sure he'll be in the stands. I don't think he'll be sitting in either of our boxes."
Fernando Gonzalez, the No 13 seed from Chile, and Mikhail Youzhny, the No 14 from Russia, went out, respectively, to Tomas Berdych and Tommy Haas, both former top-10 players.
In an all-Russian evening match, Dmitry Tursunov beat Marat Safin 7-6 (5), 6-4. Safin disputed numerous calls, had several long talks with the umpire and threw his racket in disgust near the base of the umpire's chair after going down 5-4 in the final set, a service break that also seemed to break his spirit.
Stanislas Wawrinka, the world No 10 from Switzerland, and Mario Ancic, the former Wimbledon semifinalist from Croatia, have pulled out.
Source:China Daily/Agencies |
