Radek Stepanek
Adelaide, Australia (Sports Network) – A trio of seeds exited the season- opening Next Generation Adelaide tennis event on Monday, as No. 4 Frenchman Gilles Simon, No. 5 Czech Radek Stepanek and No. 7 Argentine Juan Martin del Potro were sent packing at this Australian Open tune-up.
Simon gave way to fellow Frenchman Michael Llodra 7-6 (7-3), 6-3, while Stepanek retired due to a heel injury against Australian wild card Joseph Sirianni while trailing 7-6 (7-3), 4-3 and American journeyman Michael Russell dismissed del Potro 6-3, 6-3 on the hardcourts at Memorial Drive.
Other first-round wins came for Germans Mischa Zverev and Benjamin Becker and American Sam Querrey, who dismissed Belgian Steve Darcis 7-5, 6-4 on Day 1.
This week’s top seed is Adelaide native Lleyton Hewitt, a two-time winner here.
Serb Novak Djokovic, who is not defending his title this week, topped Aussie Chris Guccione in last year’s Adelaide finale.
The 2008 Aussie Open will commence January 14 in Melbourne.
Source: Trio of seeds exited from Adelaide opener
