Adrian Mannarino of France playing Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain in the second round of the Heineken Open at the ASB Tennis Stadium in Parnell. Photo / Jason Oxenham.
Herald tennis writers Michael Burgess (MB), David Skipwith (DS) and Kris Shannon (KS) provide the latest updates from day four of the Heineken Open in Auckland.
9.41pm - Kiwis bow out (KS)
Michael Venus and Artem Sitak were unable to repeat their centre-court heroics from last night, being knocked out of the Heineken Open doubles by Dominic Inglot and Florin Mergea.
The Kiwi pair fell in straight sets against their highly-fancied opponents, losing 6-2 6-3 to conclude the local involvement at the Auckland tournament.
And that concludes the action for this evening, with four matches to come tomorrow. After the doubles semifinals earlier in the day, the all-French semifinal between Lucas Pouille and Adrian Mannarino will begin at 5pm.
That will be followed by Kevin Anderson's clash with Jiri Vesely, leaving only the finals to take place on Saturday.
9.08pm - Last local hope (KS)
The final remaining Kiwis in the Heineken Open have their work cut out for them, falling a set behind in their doubles quarter-final.
Michael Venus and Artem Sitak last night thrilled the crowd at Stanley St with an upset victory but they face a tough task to repeat the feat 24 hours later.
Venus and Sitak lost the first set 6-2 against Dominic Inglot and Florin Mergea, with the British-Romanian pair having broken the Kiwis' twice.
8.22pm - Fourth seed into final four (KS)
South African Kevin Anderson is the favourite to take the Heineken Open crown after beating eighth seed Steve Johnson in straight sets.
But the 6-4 7-6 win could have gone another way. With the score at 7-7 in the second-set tie-break, Johnson struck what looked like a backhand winner down the line. The verdict in the media box was unanimous - the ball was in - but it was called out by the line judge and the chair umpire upheld the decision.
The resulting point saw the American fire an ace and, fallacy of the predetermined outcome aside, that point would have been enough to take the second set and level the match.
Instead, Anderson rode his luck and will now play qualifier Jiri Vesely in a semifinal that, with both players nearing two metres, will be the battle of the bigs.
6.52pm - The last of the seeds (KS)
There are only two seeded players left in the Heineken Open singles field and that number will soon be cut in half.
South African Kevin Anderson and American Steve Johnson have just begun their battle in the quarter-finals, with Anderson earning an early break.
Whether the fourth seed goes on to take the match, or whether the eighth seed recovers, whoever emerges from this match will surely be the favourite to take the tournament.
5.58pm - Here comes the night time
Temperatures have started to fall, the sun has hidden away behind the clouds and we're awaiting the night session at the Heineken Open.
Alexander Peya and Bruno Soares booked their place in the semifinals of the doubles in the final match of the day session, leaving just one spot open in the final four. That will go to the winners of tonight's match between local hopes Artem Sitak and Michael Venus and British-Romanian pair Dominic Inglot and Florin Mergea.
Before we get to that, though, there's the last quarter-final in the singles, with Steve Johnson and Kevin Anderson - the only remaining seeded players - doing battle.
4.54pm - Change of plans (KS)
With both singles quarter-finals straightforward affairs that took little more than an hour, there seemed set to be a significant break in action before this evening's night session.
But that window has now been filled thanks to a court change in the doubles. The clash between Spaniards Pablo Carreno Busta and Guillermo Garcia-Lopez and Austrian-Brazilian pair Alexander Peya and Bruno Soares has been moved from the grandstand court and is now underway on centre court.
And Peya and Soares are making light work of their opponents, with the second seeds racing out to a 4-1 lead in the first set.
4.01pm - Giant climbs into semis (KS)
Jiri Vesely's dream run at the Heineken Open has continued, with the towering Czech having progressed from qualifying into the semifinals of the tournament.
Vesely utilised his two-metre tall frame to fire down nine aces in the 6-2 6-3 win over American Donald Young, with the match ending rapidly as soon as the break came in the second set.
The result means three of the four semifinalists have been found, with the final spot going to the winner of this evening's clash between Steve Johnson and Kevin Anderson - the only remaining seeded players.
And Vesely's victory also sets up a potentially intriguing final, considering the world No 63 defeated fellow semifinalist Lucas Pouille in qualifying.
3.40pm - Young in trouble (KS)
We have a lucky loser in the semifinals of the Heineken Open - could we also have a qualifier?
That scenario looks likely at the moment, with Jiri Vesely taking the first set 6-2 from Donald Young. The American appeared in trouble early, dropping his first service game, and he failed to fight his way out of the hole.
Young, ranked 56th in the world, seven places ahead of his opponent, has so far managed to keep games on serve in the second set.
2.40pm - All-French semifinal (KS)
The first semifinal has been set at the Heineken Open, with Lucas Pouille winning through to the final four where he will take on compatriot Adrian Mannarino.
Pouille is only still alive in the draw as a lucky loser - following the spate of withdrawals earlier in the week - but there was nothing lucky about his performance today.
The Frenchman took little more than an hour to advance past Spaniard Albert Ramos-Vinolas, winning 6-3 6-2 to set up a clash with a familiar face.
Pouille and Mannarino have practised together in the past and this week has been no different, with the pair spending the last three days training together ahead of their matches. It has obviously worked well but that relationship will now cease ahead of tomorrow's semifinal.
1.54pm - Mannarino into semi final (MB)
Adrian Mannarino is the first semifinalist found at the Heineken Open, taking care of Alejandro Falla in less than one hour.
While the Frenchman was good, it was a disappointing display from the Colombian who seemed to melt in the hot conditions.
Still, it's a great result for Mannarino - the first time he has reached the semi finals of an ATP tournament since early 2011.
Thursday: 1pm - Frenchman strikes first (MB)
Adrian Mannarino has one foot in the semi-finals, after taking the first set 6-3 against Alejandro Falla in the first of today's quarter finals at the Heineken Open.
The Frenchman looked comfortable throughout the first set, breaking the Colombian's serve on three occasions.
Mannarino has also shown a willingness to come to the net - and has more of an all court game - in contrast to the South American who has tended to be stranded on the baseline.
Mannarino is looking to qualify for his first Heineken Open semi final, after reaching the last eight here in 2011.
Wednesday: 10.20pm - Kiwi pair enjoy thrilling win (MB)
New Zealanders Michael Venus and Artem Sitak are into the second round of the doubles at the Heineken Open, beating Colombians Juan Sebastian Cabal and Robert Farah 6-4 3-6 10-8.
Venus and Sitak thrilled the capacity crowd from the outset with some brilliant instinctive play, and took the first set 6-4.
The highly rated Colombian pair, who are third seeds in this tournament, were always going to respond and lifted a notch in the next set to take the match to a decider.
The New Zealanders, who had only played together once before, started brilliantly in the super tie break, accelerating quickly to a 6-1 with some inspired shot making from Venus in particular.
They extended their lead to 9-5 - and after the Colombians did well to save three match points - a brilliant Sitak lob sealed the result.
9.37pm - Kiwis claim advantage (DS)
Venus and Sitak came back to win the first set 6-4, to the crowd's great delight.
The second set has just begun...
9.14pm - Venus back in double act (DS)
Kiwi Michael Venus is back out on centre court with partner Artem Sitak, taking on Columbian duo Juan Sebastian Cabal and Robert Farah.
The hometown pairing are down 1-2 early in the first set.
8.50pm - Gulbis exits (DS)
Another big name exits the Heineken Open with Czech qualifier Jiri Vesely upsetting second seed and world No13 Ernests Gulbis 6-2 3-6 6-1.
The emotional Czech described the result as "the biggest win of my career so far" and thanked the vocal Stanley Street crowd for their vocal support.
He also took time to enquire about the well-being of the young ball girl who was hit by one of his bouncing service deliveries, saying: ""If possible I would like to see her and give her a gift."
Vesely now looks forward to a quarterfinal against American Donald Young, who earlier today disposed of Argentinian Diego Schwartzman 2-6 6-4 6-1.
8.38pm - Vesely hangs tough (DS)
Vesely has roared back to lead 5-1 in the third. Gulbis needs to turn things around quickly to remain in the hunt.
A short time ago there was a brief stoppage after one of the ball girls was struck by a bouncing serve from Vesely. The poor kid was assisted off the court to appreciative applause from the centre court crowd.
Those volunteers put their bodies on the line each time they step into the arena!
8.19pm - Gulbis levels (DS)
Gulbis has sharpened his game up, breaking Vesely's serve for the first time on his way to claiming the second set 6-3.
The third set has just begun...
7.55pm - Gulbis dukes it out with Vesely (DS)
Tournament second seed Ernests Gulbis has a fight on his hands against Jiri Vesely on centre court in the first of the evening matches.
After losing the first set 6-2 the Latvian world number 13 has drawn level at 2-1 early in the second.
Can the Czech maintain the pressure on his more fancied opponent?
Earlier, Spaniard Albert Ramos-Vinolas beat Taiwan's Yen-Hsun Lu 6-2 6-4.
4.50pm - Kiwi falls (MB)
Michael Venus is out of Heineken Open, losing 7-5 6-4 to Frenchman Lucas Pouille in his second round match this afternoon.
The New Zealander didn't quite reach the heights of last night's match, but that said a lot about his opponent today who was excellent.
Venus was guilty of pushing the point at times, but that was due to the constant pressure from the French World No 136.
The second set was an even contest and Venus even forced a couple of break point opportunities, which were saved superbly by the Frenchman.
Pouille then broke the Kiwi in the seventh game and went on to serve out the match, which lasted for 73 minutes.
4.07pm - Venus loses first set (MB)
New Zealand wildcard Michael Venus has lost the first set 7-5 in his second round match at the Heineken Open.
Up against French `lucky loser' Lucas Pouille, after Tommy Robredo pulled out through injury earlier today, Venus started well against the 20-year-old.
Venus had a set point at 4-5 but couldn't convert, as Pouille came up with an impeccable volley to save.
The Frenchman then broke the Venus serve in the next game and served out the set.
On the outside courts American Donald Young has beaten Argentine Diego Schwartzman in three sets, 2-6 6-4 6-1.
2.55pm - Injury forces third seed to retire
In the latest stroke of misfortune to strike the Heineken Open, an unspecified injury has forced Spanish third seed Roberto Bautista Agut to retire from his centre court match against Adrian Mannarino.
The Frenchman goes to the quarterfinals after being declared the winner 6-2 2-1. He will now face Columbia's Alejandro Falla who beat French qualifier Kenny De Schepper earlier today.
2.50pm - Johnson topples Carreno Busta (DS)
American Steve Johnson has beaten Pablo Carreno Busta 6(3)-7 6-4 6-1 to confirm his quarter-final match against South African fourth seed Kevin Anderson.
Now on the Grandstand Court, Argentinian Diego Schwartzman took the first set 6-2 but trails 1-0 early in the second against American Donald Young.
Back on centre court, Frenchman Adrian Mannarino took the first set 6-2 in his match against Roberto Bautista Agut. The third seed is warming into his work however, and the second set is currently tied up at 1-1.
1.50pm - Anderson dispatches Struff (DS)
Kevin Anderson has gone on with the job to dispatch Jan-Lennard Struff 7-6(6) 6-1 in a powerful display on centre court.
The towering South African now awaits the outcome of the Grandstand Court match between Pablo Carreno Busta and Steve Johnson, who are currently locked up at 1-1 in the third set, to learn who he will face in the quarter final.
1.30pm - Robredo withdraws through injury (DS)
There's been a big story break in the last half hour with Tommy Robredo forced to withdraw from the Heineken Open through injury.
The Spanish fifth seed sustained an adductor injury on Monday, forcing his withdrawal from the tournament and today's centre court match against Kiwi wildcard Michael Venus.
Venus will now face Frenchman Lucas Bouille, world number 136, who was a first round lucky loser.
Around the courts, in the main arena, Kevin Anderson edged Jan-Lennard Struff 7-6(6) in a first set tiebreak and is currently ahead 3-1 in the second.
On the Grandstand Court, Pablo Carreno Busta won the first set 7-6(3) and trails 4-5 in the second to Steve Johnson, while on Court 2, Columbia's Alejandro Falla has beaten French qualifier Kenny De Schepper 6-2 6-4.
Wednesday 12.00pm - Day three action begins (DS)
Day three of the Heineken Open is about to get underway at Stanley Street, starting with a centre court match-up between South African fourth seed Kevin Anderson and German Jan-Lennard Struff.
The towering Anderson has a huge serve but in his first match meets a determined Struff who efficiently disposed of young Austrian Dominic Thiem on day one.
On the Grandstand Court, American eighth seed Steve Johnson is facing 49th-ranked Spaniard, Pablo Carreno Busta, while on Court 2, Coluimbia's Alejandro Falla meets French qualifier Kenny De Schepper.
Of course, the big match for local fans this afternoon is Kiwi wildcard Michael Venus' encounter with Spainard Tommy Robredo, while the top 20 ranked trio of Ernests Gulbis, Roberto Bautista Agut, and Tommy Robredo will all be in action on centre court.
Tuesday 11.11pm - Lu advances to second round (DS)
The final match of the night saw ninth seed Yen-Hsun Lu topple Argentinian Juan Monaco 6-4 2-6 6-1 in an hour and 44 minutes.
The 2014 runner-up now eyes a second round clash against Spaniard Albert Ramos-Vinolas, who earlier tonight defeated Italian Paolo Lorenzi 6-4 6-3.
9.16pm - Kiwi Venus advances to second round (DS)
Michael Venus is through to the second round of the Heineken Open for the first time after carving out a huge upset victory over Columbian qualifier Alejandro Gonzalez.
The Kiwi wildcard saved three match points in a thrilling tiebreak to snare a 5-7 6-3 7-6 victory in just over two hours.
It took a great effort from Venus, after he was down 4-6 in the tiebreak before notching a volley to thwart Gonzalez as he served on match point.
A timely 209km/h ace then gave him his first match point at 8-7.
The crowd then celebrated together with Venus after he sent a pin-point backhand up the line to clinch the win.
He now looks forward to a second round encounter against Spanish fifth seed Tommy Robredo.
8.16pm - Venus takes second set (DS)
Venus has stormed back to claim the second set 6-3, expressing his delight with a few fist-pumps as the crowd gets right behind him.
Can he go on and finish the job to enter the second round for the first time?
7.58pm - Venus locked in tense battle (DS)
Kiwi wildcard Michael Venus is locked in a tense battle with Columbian qualifier Alejandro Gonzalez.
Gonzalez took the first set 7-5, showing greater composure and consistency than the home favourite, whose determined effort has been hampered by too many unforced errors.
Venus leads the second 3-2, having improved his serve and nailing 10 aces to three.
Earlier on court two, Argentina's Diego Schwartman sent No. 7 seed Guillermo Garcia-Lopez packing with a 6-2, 4-6, 6-1 win.
The world No58 will now face American Donald Young in the second-round.
7.02pm - (DS) Venus in action
England's Dominic Inglot and Romanian Florin Mergea went on with the job on centre court to account for Columbian Santiago Giraldo and Portugal's Joao Sousa 6-3 7-6(10).
On the Grandstand Court, Spain's Albert Ramos-Vinolas defeated Italian Paolo Lorenzi 6-4 6-3.
The evening session is now underway with Kiwi wildcard Michael Venus locked up at 1-1 early on in his centre court match against Columbian qualifier Alejandro Gonzalez.
The last match will see Argentina's Juan Monaco take on 2014 finalist, Taiwan's Yen-Hsun Lu.
5.58pm - Around the courts... (DS)
Back on centre court in the doubles, England's Dominic Inglot and Romanian Florin Mergea claimed the first set 6-3 but trail 5-3 in the second to Columbian Santiago Giraldo and Portugal's Joao Sousa.
On the Grandstand Court, things are locked up at 1-1 in the first set of the singles encounter between Italian Paolo Lorenzi and Spain's Albert Ramos-Vinolas.
4.50pm - Bryan Brothers in shock exit
In a major setback for the tournament, the number one ranked doubles combination in the world has been knocked out of Heineken Open.
Mike and Bob Bryan were looking good after taking the first set, but lost 1-6 7-6 (4) 11-9 to Robin Haase and Andre Begemann.
There was a touch of controversy, as the Bryan's appeared to have won the match, when they converted a match point later in the super tiebreak.
They even celebrated with their trademark chest bump, before being called back to continue playing by the umpire.
Both the umpire and line judge had seen a Haase shot as in, when it was clearly out.
The brothers were forced to continue at 9-9 but lost the next two points with Haase and Begemann going on to win the match a final volley error from the top seeds.
The crowd are stunned and so are the twins, who are now without a win in two visits to Auckland.
In the other matches, young Croatian wildcard and world No95, Borna Coric also exited after losing 6-4 6-3 to 49th-ranked Spaniard, Pablo Carreno Busta.
On the Grandstand Court, Czech qualifier Jiri Vesely toppled Brazilian hope Thomaz Belluci 6-3 7-6(4), while on Court Two, American Donald Young came back to win beat Japanese qualifier Go Soeda 6-7(2) 6-1 6-3.
2.55pm - Croatian wildcard on the back foot (DS)
Young Croatian wildcard and world No95, Borna Coric is on the back foot in his centre court match with 49th-ranked Spaniard, Pablo Carreno Busta.
Carreno Busta took out the first set 6-4 and holds a 3-2 advantage in the second. Can the highly touted Coric turn things around?
On the Grandstand Court, Czech qualifier Jiri Vesely controlled the opening set 6-3 and it is 1-1 early in the second, against Brazilian hope Thomaz Belluci.
Meanwhile, on Court Two, American Donald Young lost the first set 6-7 to Japanese qualifier Go Soeda but leads 1-0 early in the second.
1.50pm - Statham eliminated
Rubin Statham is out of the Heineken Open, losing 6-4 6-4 in just under 75 minutes to Alejandro Falla.
Statham competed well across the match - breaking the Colombian's serve in both sets and coming up with some classy winners.
But the New Zealander couldn't maintain the consistency and was let down by poor shot selection and troubled by unforced errors.
Seeds falls
Meanwhile, sixth seed Colombian Santiago Giraldo has crashed out of the tournament, losing 6-2 6-3 to impressive French qualifier Kenny
De Schepper.. It sets up an unlikely re-match - as Falla and De Schepper will meet in the second round after also playing in qualifying (Falla was beaten but got into the tournament as a `lucky loser'.
Tuesday 1.05pm Local boy fighting hard
Rubin Statham has dropped the first set in his match against Colombian Alejandro Falla, but not without a fight.
Statham, who is ranked more than 400 places below his opponent, took the first break and led 3-0 early in the set.
But the South American took successive service games off Statham and served out the set 6-4.
Statham is battling hard but it will take an improbable comeback from here.
Meanwhile Frenchman Kenny De Schepper has taken the first set 6-2 over the sixth seed Santiago Giraldo.
Monday 10.30pm - Johnson dispatches Sousa
American number eight seed Steve Johnson got his tournament off to a winning start with a straight sets victory over Portugal's Joao Sousa, in the final match of the opening day at the Heineken Open.
Ranked 37 in the world, Johnson won 7-5 6-4 in a closely fought 90 minute match on centre court.
He now awaits the outcome of tomorrow's clash between Croatian wildcard Borna Coric and 49th-ranked Spaniard, Pablo Carreno Busta, to learn who he will face in the second round.
8.55pm - Struff sends Thiem packing (DS)
German Jan-Lennard Struff came back to win 6(6)-7 6-4 6-3 and send highly touted Austrian Dominic Thiem packing, in a game that failed to reach any great heights.
The 1.96 metre Struff used his big serve to great effect throughout the second set, regularly hitting in excess of 200km/h.
He now faces a second-round match on Wednesday against another piece of tall timber, 2.03 metre South African, Kevin Anderson.
Next up, the final match of the evening sees American eighth seed Steve Johnson line up against Portugal Joao Sousa.
7.57pm - Young Austrian impressing (DS)
Young Austrian Dominic Thiem holds the upper-hand in his centre court clash with German Jan-Lennard Struff, after winning the first set 7-6(6) in 56 minutes.
It's all even at 4-4 in the second with neither player able to break their opponent's serves.
6.55pm - Kiwis to take flight? (KS)
Both Kiwi wildcards in the singles will be spending the night studying video and setting out a strategy after learning their opponents for tomorrow's first round.
New Zealand No 1 Michael Venus will take on Alejandro Gonzalez, who earlier today beat Stephane Robert of France in the final qualifier. Venus will have a tough task on his hands, considering Gonzales in ranked more than 300 places above him, with a clash against fifth seed Tommy Robredo awaiting the winner.
Rubin Statham, meanwhile, will also encounter a Colombian named Alejandro in his first round match. World No 112 Alejandro Falla lost his final qualifying match but takes his place in the main field as a lucky loser due to the withdrawal of David Ferrer.
6.40pm - Back to work at Stanley St (KS)
The night session is about to begin at Stanley Street, with two matches set to keep the fans entertained at centre court.
First we have world No 37 Dominic Thiem of Austria taking on Jan-Lennard Struff of Germany. That match will be followed by the first of the seeds in action, with eighth-seeded American Steve Johnson clashing against Joao Sousa of Portugal.
The crowd is understandably thin for day one, though a few more fans seem to be trickling in after what was the first day back at work for many.
5.35pm - Heartbreak on centre court (KS)
They put up one hell of a fight but Wesley Whitehouse and Finn Tearney fell just short of causing a boil-over in the first round of the doubles this afternoon.
The Kiwi pair fell in the super tie-break against Marcelo Melo and Max Mirnyi, pushing to the limit two players ranked inside the world's top 50 in doubles.
Whitehouse and Tearney received a well-deserved standing ovation from the Stanley Street court but, after the 6-7 7-5 10-7 defeat, that will be of little consolation considering they were a couple of point away from a dream meeting with the world No 1 Bryan brothers.
4.43pm - Big comeback from the Kiwis (KS)
The everyman can play. Led by some stunning shots from Wesley Whitehouse, the Kiwi wildcards have taken the first set from Marcelo Melo and Max Mirnyi.
Whitehouse and Finn Tearney weren't expected to seriously threaten their more esteemed opponents but, much to the delight of the crowd, the Kiwis recovered from a 4-1 deficit to win the first set in a tiebreak.
The fans at Stanley St have taken a particular shine to Whitehouse. Broadcaster Andrew Gourdie, in the crowd today, just tweeted that Whitehouse was developing a cult following on centre court, and it was easy too see why.
In addition to a powerful serve and clean forehand, Whitehouse showed a deft touch at the net, with a cross-court drop shot was a particular highlight.
3.56pm - Kiwis on court (KS)
Adrian Mannarino completed up a quick 6-1 6-1 win over Federico Delbonis so now we have Kiwis on centre court for the first time at the Heineken Open.
Doubles wildcards Finn Tearney and Wesley Whitehouse entered the arena to a nice hand from the crowd and are about to begin what will be a serious test against Marcelo Melo of Brazil and Max Mirnyi of Belarus.
The appearance of Whitehouse, in particular, might have been especially pleasing to those in the crowd sinking Heineken after Heineken. After spending the day feeling guilty while watching athletes without an ounce of body fat on them, Whitehouse is, to put it delicately, more an everyman type...
3.12pm - Quick game's a good game (KS)
After Alejandro Gonzalez pipped Stephane Robert in a third-set tiebreak, the first singles match on centre court looks like it could be a quick one, with Frenchman Adrian Mannarino currently 6-1 3-0 up over Federico Delbonis of Argentina.
The match, as one-sided as it may be, still has some value according to a colleague, who preached of the 'aesthetic' qualities of watching two lefties doing battle.
Off the court, one corporate box in front of the media area are putting up a similar pace as Mannarino when it comes to the champagne. Multiple buckets have already been seen today, though they have still found time to indulge in a mojito or two.
1.54pm - Tight tussle for last spot (KS)
Alejandro Gonzalez and Stephane Robert are currently desperately scrapping for the final spot in the Heineken Open main field, unable to be separated late in the third set.
Gonzales claimed the first set 6-4 but Robert hit back by the same margin in the second, sending the match to a decider.
Gonzales was up a break for much of the set but the Colombian has just been broken to level the third at 4-4.
Once this match wraps up we'll have the opening singles match on centre court, with Frenchman Adrian Mannarino taking on Federico Delbonis of Argentina. That clash will be followed by a couple of Kiwis in the doubles, with wildcards Finn Tearney and Wesley Whitehouse facing a tough task against Marcelo Melo and Max Mirnyi.
12.56pm - Final qualifying battle underway (MB)
Back into tennis action for another week, with the yellow and black hues of the ASB Classic replaced by the familiar green of Heineken.
It's a quiet start to the day, as the final qualifying match is underway on centre court.
109-ranked Colombian Alejandro Gonzalez has taken the first set 6-4 over World No132 Stephane Robert of France.
The 34-year-old Robert has an unusual service action, with one of the lowest ball tosses seen on the ATP Tour. The ball barely leaves his hand before it is punched in a short arm jab.
And we have just been told that David Ferrer will be appearing at the arena later today. He was the big withdrawal yesterday, but is still coming to fulfil his off court commitments during the early part of the week. That's a nice touch from the former World No3
The match featured windy conditions, making play challenging for both.