The Hindu : Sport / Tennis : French tough for Americans

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Thursday, May 31, 2007
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French tough for Americans

PARIS: For the first time in at least 30 years, zero U.S. men will play in the second round at the French Open.

All nine American men entered in the clay-court Grand Slam lost their opening matches, capped by Robby Ginepri's five-set loss to Diego Hartfield of Argentina on Wednesday in a match suspended the night before because of darkness.

It's only the third time in the Open era, which began in 1968, that there are no Americans in the second round of a major. The two other times — at the 1972 and 1973 Australian Opens — no Americans entered the events.

American men went 0-8 on Tuesday, with losses by No. 3 Andy Roddick, No. 8 James Blake, Vince Spadea, Justin Gimelstob, Amer Delic, Robert Kendrick, Sam Querrey and Michael Russell.

Short return

Martin Verkerk's return to the French Open didn't last long. The Dutchman, who was making his first appearance at Roland Garros in three years, lost to Simone Bolelli in the first round on Tuesday.

Verkerk, who lost to Juan Carlos Ferrero in the 2003 final, had not played at the French Open since losing to Lleyton Hewitt in the third round in 2004.

Verkerk missed the last two years after a culmination of shoulder operations and a long bout of mononucleosis saw him drop out of the men's tour.

He did not play at all in 2005 and only managed two Challenger events in 2006 — losing both.

``I did nothing... just watched television,'' Verkerk said. ``I was tired all the time. I was trying to get back.''

Unusual warm-up

Maria Kirilenko has an unusual warm-up routine before each match.

``I like to play football,'' the Russian said after her first round win. "Before I play a tennis match, I like to warm up with a football. I like to juggle with the ball. My record is 61.''

Kirilenko had plenty of time to hone her skills after a rain delay halted her match on Monday when she was a game away from victory against Maria Elena Camerin. When her match resumed, Kirilenko completed the job quickly. — AP

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