TENNIS ATP Madrid – Alexander Dolgopolov edged Fabio Fognini in three sets in two hours and five minutes in a spectacular match between two unpredictable players on the Arantxa Sanchez Court. David Ferrer battled past his fellow Spaniard Albert Ramos in three sets. It was the third win for Ferrer against Ramos and the second this year. Diego Sampaolo
Interviews, results, order of play and draws of the Mutua Madrid Open
Alexander Dolgopolov edged Fabio Fognini in three sets with 7-5 4-6 6-3 in two hours and five minutes in a spectacular match between two unpredictable players on the Arantxa Sanchez Court. With his win at the Caja Magica Dolgopolov won all his fifth head-to-head match against the Italian World Number 15. In this year’s previous two matches Dolgopolov beat Fognini in Rio de Janeiro and Indian Wells
In the first set Dolgopolov rallied from 0-40 but Fognini managed to convert his fourth break point chance and held his serve to love in the next game. In the eighth game Fognini dropped his serve on the second break point chance. The Italian top player drew level to 5-5 but at 5-6 40-0 he dropped five consecutive points to lose the first set.
The second set featured three consecutive breaks from 3-3. Fognini broke serve twice in the seventh and in the ninth game to clinch the second set to force the match to the third set.
At the start of the third set Fognini earned a break point chance but Dolgopolov saved it with a volley forehand and a drop-shot. Fognini saved a break point chance in the fourth game but Dolgopolov managed to break serve a couple of games later to take a 3-1 lead. Dolgopolov held serve to close out on the first match point. Fognini lost for the fifth time in the first round in the Spanish capital.
Dolgopolov was solid on serve. He hit seven aces and won 84 % of his first serve points.
“I have had a few tough weeks. I am happy that I could come back , have a good match and get a victory. Fabio plays very well on clay. It was a tough match and I am happy to be tough”, said Dolgopolov.
Dolgopolov set up a second round match against Ernests Gulbis who overcame Pole Jerzy Janowicz in three sets with 7-6 (7-5) 3-6 6-2.
The second day at the Caja Magica featured a lot of hard-fought matches which came down to the wire in the third set especially the two-hour and 31-minute marathon match between Nicolas Almagro and Andrey Golubev. Almagro, who beat Rafa Nadal in the Barcelona quarter final two weeks ago and reached the semifinal in Madrid in 2010, converted his 11th match point to take a 6-3 6-7 (9-11) 6-4 victory. Almagro will face 2008 Madrid champion Andy Murray in the second round.
David Ferrer battled past his fellow Spaniard Albert Ramos in three sets with 7-6 5-7 6-3. It was the third win for Ferrer against Ramos and the second this year after his 6-1 6-2 in Buenos Aires on clay. Ramos kept up with Ferrer in the first set forcing the tie-break in the first set. Ferrer rallied from 2- 6 down by winning six consecutive points to win the tie-break. Ramos won the second set to force the match to the decider. Ferrer converted five of his 12 break point chances to seal the win after a near three-hour battle. He will face either John Isner or Marinko Matosevic.
Roberto Bautista won the other Spanish derby with Fernando Verdasco. Verdasco won the first set 6-2 but Bautista Agut prevailed in the tie-break of the second set to force the match to the third set. Agut dominated the third set with a easy 6-1 to take his first win in two matches against Verdasco,
Igor Sijsling fought back from a set down to edge Tommy Haas in three sets with 3-6 6-1 6-4. Kevin Anderson also rallied from a set and a break down to defeat Radek Stepanek in three sets with 3-6 6-3 6-4 in one hour and 55 minutes. Anderson will take on Tomas Berdych in the second round
“Being down a break in the second set was tough, I really needed to get myself going. It wasn’t easy nut I was really pleased with the way I managed to turn around the match”, said Anderson
Kei Nishikori eased past Guillermo Garcia Lopez to take a 6-3 6-1 win setting up a third round match against Milos Raonic who easily beat Jeremy Chardy with a double 6-3 6-3.
Juan Monaco defeated Jurgen Melzer in straight sets with 6-4 6-3 to set up a second round match against World Number 1 and Madrid defending champion Rafa Nadal
