The Hindu : Sport / Tennis : Verdasco exits

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Tuesday, Jun 12, 2007
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Verdasco exits

Federer to skip Halle Open

LONDON: Giant Belarussian Max Mirnyi created the first upset in the traditional Wimbledon warm-up tournament at Queen's when he sent 16th seed Fernando Verdasco packing in straight sets on Monday.

Mirnyi is 20 places below Verdasco in the ATP rankings but, on his favourite grass surface, he made a mockery of that gap as he eased into the second round, 6-3, 6-3.

Meanwhile, World No.1 Roger Federer has announced that he will not be defending his title in the Halle ATP tournament.

The four-time defending champion had been expected to travel to Germany following his loss at the French Open final in Paris on Sunday.

But in a message posted on his website, Federer said: "In an attempt to prevent injury after the long final in Paris, I cannot defend my title at the Gerry Weber Open in Halle.

"Gerry and Ralf Weber have always been so hospitable over the years and I love playing there. I look forward to returning in 2008."

At Birmingham, Eleni Daniilidou beat Laura Granville 6-3, 7-6(5) in the first round of the WTA DFS Classic. Julia Vakulenko and Lilia Osterloh were among others to make it to the second round.

At London: ATP Stella Artois Championships: First round: Robby Ginepri (USA) bt Richard Bloomfield (GBR) 6-4, 6-2; Max Mirnyi (Blr) bt Fernando Verdasco (Esp) 6-3, 6-3; Jamie Baker (GBR) bt Alexander Peya (Aut) 3-6, 7-6(5), 6-3.

At Birmingham: WTA DFS Classic: First round: Eleni Daniilidou (Gre) bt Laura Granville (USA) 6-3, 7-6(5); Ahsha Rolle (USA) bt Abigail Spears (USA) 6-4, 6-3; Meilen Tu (USA) bt Roberta Vinci (Ita) 6-1, 6-2; Casey Dellacqua (Aus) bt Yan Zi (Chn) 6-2, 6-2; Lilia Osterloh (USA) bt Varvara Lepchenko (Uzb) 7-6(7), 6-3; Julia Vakulenko (Ukr) bt Sun Tiantian (Chn) 6-2, 6-1. — Agencies

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