Tennis: Robin Soderling Upset by Ivan Dodig; Rafael Nadal Forges Foward

Tennis Now!

World No. 56 Ivan Dodig of Croatia moves to the third round of the Barcelona Open 6-2, 6-4 after upsetting French Open runner-up and third seed Robin Soderling in the Swede's first match on clay this year.

This is Dodig's first top 10 win and was revenge for his loss in Miami to Soderling. Dodig plays 15th seed and newbie to clay courts, Milos Raonic, who took out Simon Greul 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(5).

No. 16 seed Juan Monaco and No. 14 seed Kevin Anderson fell out of the draws in the second round. Monaco was ousted by qualifier Simone Vagnozzi of Italy 6-3, 6-2. Anderson was defeated by Victor Hanescue 6-4, 6-4.

Rafael Nadal was victorious over Daniel Gimeno-Traver in two quick sets 6-1, 6-1.

This brings him closer to his 500th ATP victory and further protects his No. 1 ranking from a certain Novak Djokovic.

Fellow Spaniards No. 4 seed David Ferrer, No. 8 seed Nicolas Montanes, No. 11 seed Albert Montanes, Feliciano Lopez and Juan Carlos Ferrero followed in Rafa's footsteps in their home country.

Frenchman No. 7 seed Gael Monfils and No. 9 seed Richard Gasquet will meet for an exciting third round match on Thursday, with a tied head-to-head series at 3-3.

Tennis Now!