MONFILS AND FERRER SPREADS THEIR WINGS

Johannesburg, South Africa - February 2, 2010 (Pictures: Reg Caldecott)

If what was seen on the second day of the SA Tennis Open is anything to go by, fans and journalists are going to have a hard time keeping up with adjectives describing the action on court.

Sublime speed, brute power, deadly accuracy and moves that will make an Olympic gymnast proud.

The number one seed here at Montecasino, Gael Monfils, showed why there is such a big fuss about his presence in the draw. The Frenchman made mince meat of veteran Dominik Hrbaty in the first round.
Monfils won 6-2, 6-1 and made it clear that he has his eye on the trophy that was lifted by his countryman, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, last year.

It only took a few points to get the crowd on their feet and with hands in their hair – not out of frustration, but with astonishment. Monfils pulled off moves and shots that some can only dream of.
“I didn’t expect it to be so easy, but I played really well,” said Monfils.

“I feel good and it took only a few shots to find my length in the altitude. The atmosphere was great and the support from the crowd very cool.”

The last match delivered some deft touch and ground strokes just above the radar (so to speak) from second seed David Ferrer.

The Spaniard beat Karol Beck 6-1, 7-5 to book his plays in the second round.

The matched between the third seeded Feliciano Lopez of Spain and qualifier Benjamin Balleret was played in extreme heat, Lopez won 6-1, 6-7 and 6-3.
“It was very tough. It was so hot and I got really tired. After about 45 minutes I struggled to breath. The first match is always the most difficult, but I don’t think it was a bad match for me,” said Lopez.

Davis Cup champion

“I think my game is suited to altitude, but I never played this high before though.” Said the Davis Cup champion.

Earlier in the day Raven Klaasen waved the South African flag with pride when he got the better of Frenchman David Guez. He won in impressive and convincing fashion with the score 6-4, 6-3.

Klaasen’s countryman and doubles partner Izak van der Merwe fought hard for his victory in two tiebreak sets against Noam Okun from Israel. Big serves were a plenty.

That was the only good news for the host country though.

South African qualifier Fritz Wolmarans lost against Germany’s Bjorn Phau.