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| July 18, 2002 | Thursday | Jamadi-ul-Awwal 7, 1423 |
Smooth sailing for seeds
STUTTGART (Germany), July 17: Younes El Aynaoui, Tommy Robredo and Alexander Popp all won first-round matches in the rain-plagued 500,000-dollar ATP tournament here Wednesday.
After two days in which just four opening round contests were completed, officials were hopeful of trying to at least wrap up the first round a day late.
Eighth seed Tommy Robredo of Spain did his part to speed along the proceedings at the Weissenhof club as he ousted Czech journeyman Bohdan Ulihrach 6-4, 6-2.
Fourth-seeded Moroccan Younes El Aynaoui finished up a contest began on Tuesday, finishing the job on Spain’s David Sanchez 1-6, 6-4, 6-4.
German Alexander Popp put out another Czech, qualifier Jan Hernych 6-0, 6-2.
The weather at this car-making centre didn’t completely cooperate though as play which began at the early hour of 10 a.m. was interrupted for several hours by more of the showers which are deluging Western Europe.
Hoping to swing into action later on Wednesday are top-seeded Czech Jiri Novak and defending champion and second seed Gustavo Kuerten of Brazil.
Results (x denotes seeding):
First round:
Jiri Novak (Cze x1) bt Ruben Hidalgo (Spa) 3-6, 6-0, 6-2; Younes El Aynaoui (Mar x4) bt David Sanchez (Spa) 1-6, 6-4, 6-4; Tommy Robredo (Spa x8) bt Bohdan Ulihrach (Cze) 6-4, 6-2; Alexander Popp (Ger) bt Jan Hernych (Cze) 6-0, 6-2.—AFP
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