Favorites to take home the title at Roland Garros this year - Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal moved on to the next round even as the third day witnessed a virtual wipe-out of top men.
The third day at the French Open was especially bad for the American men. At the end of the day, the score read 0-8 against them. Eight of their nine male players made departures on a day that represents the worst American performance at the French Open in at least 30 years. Only Robby Ginepri was left standing thanks to his match being called off for the night.
For the seeded players too, this day had worst in store. Andy Roddick (3), Fernando Gonzalez (5) and James Blake (8) all crashed out. They followed in the footsteps of Tim Henman who also was knocked out.
Roddick made his forth first round exit in the last six years and continued his dismal run on the clay court. Igor Andreev, ranked 125 in the world, beat him in four sets. Roddick started the match brightly enough to take the first set, but Igor struck back and took the next three sets. Match ended with the scoreboard reading 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 in favor of Igor.
Chilean Fernando Gonzalez, runner up at this year’s Australian Open, did no better, and was ousted by Czech Republic’s Radek Stepanek 6-2, 6-2, 6-4. James Blake was beaten by big-serving Croatian Ivo Karlovic 4-6, 6-4, 7-5, 7-5.
Federer, Nadal sail through
Roger Federer did his bit to add to U.S. sorry plight. He was responsible for dispatching an American in his conquest for the one title that has eluded him so far. He clinically beat Michael Russell 6-4, 6-2, 6-4. The match was played over two days after rain interrupted it on Monday.
Rafael Nadal, frontrunner for the title, eased against the teenaged pretender Juan Martin Del Potro. Potro looked to have the upper hand in the first set with a 5-3 lead. But Nadal restored order to take the match 7-5, 6-3, 6-2.
Among the women, Nadia Petrova (11th seed) was humbled by 182nd ranked qualifier Kveta Peschke. She was humiliated 7-5, 5-7, 6-0.
Lleyton Hewitt came up with an impressive win 6-3, 6-1, 6-3 over Max Mirnyi. More big names such as Ivan Ljubicic, David Naldbandian, Richard Gsaquet and Tommy Robredo also moved on.
The results were a good respite after first two days had seen heavy rains lashed Roland Garros. Already, a Federer-Nadal final seems to be on the cards.
