Ferrer, Nalbandian are first top seeds to fall
The world’s fifth-ranked player, David Ferrer, became the first big causality at Rome, losing to Radek Stepanek 4-6, 6-2, 6-1. This can’t be considered a bad loss for Ferrer, because Stepanek is an excellent player and ranked in the top 30 (#27). He has the ability to beat anyone when he is playing well, and is always a threat to go deep into tournaments. Stepanek will now face qualifier Luis Horna in the third round. Stepanek and Horna are 1-1 against each other, but the two haven’t faced since 2005.
The other top 10 seed to lose was #7 David Nalbandian. He was beaten by Nicolas Almagro 6-4, 7-5. This is the second time in 2008 that Almagro has beaten Nalbandian on clay. He did it at Acapulco earlier this year in straight sets as well. Almagro will play #12 Fernando Gonzalez in the third round.
Three other top 10 seeds, Novak Djokovic, Nikolay Davydenko, and James Blake all advanced to the third round on Wednesday. Djokovic beat Steve Darcis 6-4, 6-0 and will now face either Igor Andreev or Juan Monaco in the next round. Davydenko got a big win over Mario Ancic 6-2, 6-2 and Blake needed three sets to beat Andreas Seppi 7-6(5), 3-6, 6-1. Davydenko will play either Tommy Robredo or Nicolas Mahut, while Blake will get either Nicolas Lapentti or Fernando Verdasco.
