Nikolay Davydenko Sees Off Zverev

Nikolay Davydenko showed some of his old form at the Open Sud de France yesterday as he got his campaign underway against Mischa Zverev.

The Russian has been struggling for form since the Cincinnati Masters and was outed early by Zverev in Shanghai just a couple of weeks ago.

However the Russian, who is the top seed in the competition, didn't have it all his own way as he had to fight off ten break points during the match.

And while he created five break point chances of his own a break in each set was enough to secure a 7-5 6-3 victory.

He will now face Albert Montanes as he has just completed a 6-4 7-6 (7-5) victory of Michael Llodra.

Jo-Wilfred Tsonga also made it into the quarter finals as enjoyed a straight forward victory over Frederico Gil 6-3 6-4.

The Frenchman is the second seed in Montpellier this week and he faced just five break points as he stormed to victory in just seventy six minutes.

A single break in each set was enough to secure him victory as he will now go on to face either David Nalbandian or Gilles Simon for a place in the final.

But the big serving American John Isner had a much tough contest as he was pushed to three sets by Adrian Mannarino.

While Isner, who is the fifth seed, hit twenty seven aces he was unable to find a way through the qualifier's serve, he didn't create a break point until the final set.

With the first two sets going with serve two tie break were needed and the two players split the spoils and a third and final set was required.

The only service break of the match came in the eighth game of the third set as Isner finally found a way through to  see the momentum swing in his favour.

He served out the match 7-6(7-5), 6-7(5-7), 6-3 in two hours and eleven minutes. He will now face home favourite Gael Monfils or Steve Darcis.

Jarkko Nieminen was in first round action yesterday and he had to come from a set down against Florent Serra. The Finn looked a little sluggish in the opening set but played himself into the match.

After dropping the opening set on the tie break it was a close second set, which Nieminen just edged before dominating the final set.

He came through a 6-7 (4-7) 7-5 6-1 winner and will now face Richard Gasquet in the second round.

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw