27/10/07 - 21h11
Let's rock n'roll
For the first time in its history, the BNP Paribas Masters is kicking off on a Sunday. On tap the two first matches of the main draw (Nalbandian-Almagro and Simon-Starace) before a David Guetta (famous French DJ) concert. Bercy is gonna rock!
Frenchman Gilles Simon, with his best season under his belt (two titles in Marseille and Bucarest), will try and end his season on a high in front of the Parisian fans. The Nice native coached by former French player Thierry Tulasne, will match-up with Italian Potito Starace, well known of the French tennis fans for his Roland-Garros exploits, with a memorable five setter versus Marat safin in 2004.
Simon's revenge?
Ranked 28th, only 4 spots ahead of Simon, Starace reached the finals in Kitzbuhel this summer and also won two challengers in San Marino and Naples. It's been a while since their first and seldom confrontation, at the US open in 2004, won by the Italian. The crowd will surely try to help Simon seek revenge.
David Nalbandian (here in photo at the draw ceremony), facing Spaniard Nicolas Almagro, will try and confirm his amazing comeback to center stage. At the end of a difficult season, the Argentine came out with a bang winning the Madrid Masters series last week.
Federer in the line of fireNot only did he win his first Masters Series title, but he did it in style beating the top three in the world in three consecutive matches (Nadal in 1/4's, Djokovic in 1/2's and Federer in the finals). Versus Almagro, who feels a lot more comfortable on clay than on indoor courts, Nalbandian will be favorite to win. He will then have one more step to climb before having a chance to face Federer once again, but this tie in the Round of 16.
ps:
wake up