Spain’s Albert Costa needed three sets to subdue Georgia’s Irakli Labadze on Monday, the first day of the Madrid Masters where fashion models turned as many heads as the tennis by replacing the traditional ball boys and girls on the main court.
Costa, ranked 50th, claimed a 6-2, 5-7, 7-5 victory to advance to a second meeting against top-seeded Tim Henman.
”It’ll be a very difficult,” he said. ”We’ve played each other a lot. I’ve beat him he’s beat me. But he’s in better form than I am. I’ll go out with nothing to lose and under no pressure.”
Adding a touch of glamour, models in black string vests and tight, knee-length, white skirts took up the task of chasing balls during the match. Reportedly paid €900 for the week, they were greeted with cheers and whistles by the near-500-strong crowd at the Madrid Rockodrome indoor court.
”They did it very well. I didn’t notice any difference,” Costa said. ”It’s entertaining and I like the idea that the tournament should do this.”
The women will only appear in the single televised match each day of the tournament.
Also on Monday, Mardy Fish, a member of the United States Davis Cup team that beat Belarus last month to reach the final against Spain, rallied from a first-set trouncing by Mario Ancic to beat the Croatian 0-6, 6-4, 6-4.
Alex Corretja of Spain cruised over fellow countryman David Ferrer 7-5, 6-1.
Corretja, ranked 95th by the ATP Tour after two disappointing seasons, was in good spirits afterward.
”I was lucky to win two sets and I am happy,” said Corretja, who reached the quarterfinals at last week’s tournament in Metz, France. ”Last week was good for me and this is beginning well.”
Corretja now faces 16th-seed Paradorn Srichaphan.
”I have a great player before me,” he said. ”That would be a great victory for me.”
All 16 seeds received byes into the second round in the 48-man field.
Robin Soderling of Sweden defeated Germany’s Florian Mayer 6-3, 7-6 (2) to open the €2,4-million event.
Luis Horna of Peru defeated Hicham Arazi of Morocco 6-4, 7-5 to advance to a meeting against defending champion Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain.
”I am not afraid, but I am nervous,” Horna said. ”Ferrero is keen to improve his ranking and it is certain to be a tough game.”
Robby Ginepri of the US beat Juan Luis Tati Rascon of Spain 6-1, 6-4 and Stefan Koubek of Austria got the better of The Netherlands’ Sjeng Schalken 6-4, 6-4.
France’s Antony Dupuis downed Argentine Augustin Calleri by 6-4 in two straight sets.
Withdrawals by Roger Federer, Andy Roddick and Lleyton Hewitt have left Henman as the top seed at the tournament, followed by 2002 winner Andre Agassi and Marat Safin.
Corretja blamed the withdrawals on the sport’s hectic schedule.
”It’s a shame that four or five of the best players are not here,” he said. ”My experience tells me that it’s hard to keep up with the rhythm in the world of tennis. It’s not human. You have to stop and rest.
”You have to be prepared to win the tournament, and if you’re not, it’s better not to go.”
Tuesday’s schedule includes Agassi against Belarus’s Max Mirnyi who defeated Spain’s David Sanchez Monday 6-3, 7-6 (3). The opening match is between Germany’s Tommy Haas against Belgium’s Xavier Malisse. — Sapa-AP