Federer casts shadow over Toronto draw

- Having spared him from playing qualies, the draw gods were in a less generous mood today as they planted Ernests in Roger Federer’s quarter of the draw. With the top eight seeds enjoying first-round byes, Ernests will play his opening match against Jose Acasuso of Argentina. Acasuso is ranked #54 to Ernests’ #50, and owns three career titles – all of which were won on clay. They have never played against each other on the tour.

Ernests’ potential second-round opponent is the winner of the match between Chile’s Fernando Gonzalez and Frenchman Julien Benneteau. The 14th-seeded Gonzalez wields a monster forehand and is perhaps best known for his surprising run to the final of the Australian Open in 2007.

The eventual victor of this second-round match is likely to score himself a prized encounter with the tournament’s top seed, Roger Federer.

The Swiss won this event in 2006, and lost in three sets to Novak Djokovic in last year’s final. He is having an abysmal year by his lofty standards, but if his Australian Open semi-final against Andy Roddick last year is any indication, Federer with a point to prove is very dangerous indeed.

Having carried a bandaged knee at Wimbledon and an ankle injury in Båstad, the state of Ernests’ fitness is still unknown. Toronto will be his first tournament since his loss to Nadal at Wimbledon.

~ by Zahirah on July 20, 2008.