Everything started with a very tough draw for Michael Russell, ranked 67th, who had to face Roger Federer. Russell of course didn’t have a chance but did put up a good fight losing 6-4, 6-2, 6-4.

Next to go out was Justin Gimelstob who played an experienced clay courter Nicolas Almagro and lost in straight sets too.

Amer Delic was also unlucky with the draw since he played a former world nr.1 and French Open champion Juan Carlos Ferrero.

All these 3 defeats were not as shocking as the next two: Andy Roddick and James Blake.

Andy had a good preparatory period before the French Open, playing lots of matches on clay courts and getting used to grinding it out. But Igor Andreev was too tough in the first round. Andy lost 3:1 in sets after winning the first set. (more…)