Nadal through as Ferrer is forced to quit

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:44

This was Nadal’s first singles outing after more than two months on the sidelines with a knee injury. during which time he has seen his Wimbledon title and world number one ranking snatched back by Roger Federer.

He traded breaks with Ferrer in their encounter tonight before the latter left the court after seven games with Nadal leading 4-3, apparently with a leg problem. Nadal will now face Philipp Petzschner, who upset the odds to beat 15th seed Tommy Robredo 7-6 (7/3) 7-6 (7/4).

Earlier in the day, fifth seed Andy Roddick beat Russian opponent Igor Andreev 6-3 7-6 (7/3) to reach the third round.

The Wimbledon finalist won 72% of points on his first serve in the first set, and though Andreev made it tougher in the second the American prevailed to set up a third-round clash with 10th seed Fernando Verdasco. The Spaniard beat Leonardo Mayer of Argentina 6-1 6-1.

Juan Carlos Ferrero set up a third-round meeting with British number one Andy Murray after he eliminated 13th seed Gael Monfils of France 6-3 7-6 (9/7). Murray last met the Spaniard in the Wimbledon quarter-finals, where the Scot won in straight sets.

Sixth seed Juan Martin Del Potro rattled off his seventh consecutive tour victory, cruising past Jan Hernych 6-2 7-5. The Argentinian will now face Victor Hanescu, who knocked out Philipp Kohlschreiber.

Seventh seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga survived a scare to put out Rainer Schuettler. The German broke serve in the opening game of the match on the way to winning the first set, but Tsonga responded to seal a 4-6 6-3 6-4 victory.

Elsewhere, ninth seed Gilles Simon beat Colombian qualifier Alejandro Falla 4-6 6-2 6-2

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