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Rusedski storms through
Nottingham, June 18: Greg Rusedski booked his place in the second round with a speedy victory over Finland`s Jarkko Nieminen
Nottingham, June 18: Greg Rusedski booked his place in the second round with a speedy victory over Finland's Jarkko Nieminen
The big serving Rusedski required just 67 minutes to defeat the third seed 6-4 6-4 in Nottingham.
Another boost for Rusedski was the defeat of Germany's Alexander Waske, his first-round opponent at next week's Wimbledon, by Younes El Aynaoui. If Rusedski can beat Waske, he is likely to face American Andy Roddick in the second round at the All England Club. "I'm really pleased with the way I played", said the 29-year-old Rusedski. "I got a good start in both sets and played the big points much better today. "I think I'm getting better with every match I'm playing and I'm really happy with that sort of performance, especially with the movement at the net. "I would not have said I would be playing this well this soon.
"I took a look at Waske before my match, he hits his first and second serves as hard as he can but I have some ideas for him and I'm looking forward to it".
Rusedski brushed aside Roddick in straight sets at Wimbledon last year, but lost at the same stage to the eventual champion in the Stella Artois Championships last week. "Beating Roddick would help to open up the draw as he is the fifth seed, but you have to look at his performance at Queen's", added Rusedski.
"I have to do something a little different to get by him. "I think he learnt things about my game and I learnt a little from that match myself". Rusedski will face Belgium's Olivier Rochus in the second round on Wednesday.
Rochus was leading 6-0 4-1 against Irakli Labadze when the Georgian retired with a shoulder injury. Second seed Mikhail Youzhny was also beaten, losing 6-2 6-0 to defending champion Jonas Bjorkman.
Jamie Delgado, who plays Andre Agassi in the opening round at Wimbledon, fell at the first hurdle in Nottingham against Brazil's Andre Sa. Delgado squandered three match points in the second set on his way to a 6-7 7-6 7-6 defeat and has now failed to win a match on the main tour for almost exactly two years.
Bureau Report
Another boost for Rusedski was the defeat of Germany's Alexander Waske, his first-round opponent at next week's Wimbledon, by Younes El Aynaoui. If Rusedski can beat Waske, he is likely to face American Andy Roddick in the second round at the All England Club. "I'm really pleased with the way I played", said the 29-year-old Rusedski. "I got a good start in both sets and played the big points much better today. "I think I'm getting better with every match I'm playing and I'm really happy with that sort of performance, especially with the movement at the net. "I would not have said I would be playing this well this soon.
"I took a look at Waske before my match, he hits his first and second serves as hard as he can but I have some ideas for him and I'm looking forward to it".
Rusedski brushed aside Roddick in straight sets at Wimbledon last year, but lost at the same stage to the eventual champion in the Stella Artois Championships last week. "Beating Roddick would help to open up the draw as he is the fifth seed, but you have to look at his performance at Queen's", added Rusedski.
"I have to do something a little different to get by him. "I think he learnt things about my game and I learnt a little from that match myself". Rusedski will face Belgium's Olivier Rochus in the second round on Wednesday.
Rochus was leading 6-0 4-1 against Irakli Labadze when the Georgian retired with a shoulder injury. Second seed Mikhail Youzhny was also beaten, losing 6-2 6-0 to defending champion Jonas Bjorkman.
Jamie Delgado, who plays Andre Agassi in the opening round at Wimbledon, fell at the first hurdle in Nottingham against Brazil's Andre Sa. Delgado squandered three match points in the second set on his way to a 6-7 7-6 7-6 defeat and has now failed to win a match on the main tour for almost exactly two years.
Bureau Report