Order was restored with Roger Federer’s win over Romania’s Victor Hanescu. Though it was hardly routine, requiring three sets, the victory was made sweeter by a ceremony honoring the Swiss with not only the ATP World Tour awards for 2009 Sportsman of the Year and Fan Favorite, but also the Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award.
Jo-Wilfred Tsonga talks to the media after a routine second round win
Stadium 2
Perhaps it was the time change and loss of an hour that robbed Gisela Dulko of the game that had knocked Justine Henin out of the tournament two days before. Whatever the reason, Dulko was easily dismissed by the No. 5 seed, Agnieszka Radwanska, who will meet Marion Bartoli in the next round.
Germany’s Simon Greul made better use of the momentum he gained from his win over Richard Gasquet by robbing yet another Frenchman, Gael Monfils, of the chance to advance. Can Jurgen Melzer stop him in the next round?
Elena Dementieva was among the winners on Stadium 2
Stadium 3
Fan favorite Marcos Baghdatis began the day rewarding the crowd for its support by topping Arnaud Clement while journeyman Michael Russell stopped the hard-hitting Igor Andreev. Both men now face mutually daunting tasks in taking on Roger Federer and Andy Murray, respectively, in the Round of 16.
Court 4
The feisty Italian Francesca Schiavone had the fans firmly in her corner. However, her opponent, Aravane Rezai, wasn’t intimidated. Losing the first set in a poorly played tiebreak, Rezai refused to surrender. Continuing to pound away off both wings, the Frenchwoman forced her opponent to go on the defensive and, as a result, gained the second set and a crucial break in the third, which she never relinquished.
Court 5
Elena Baltacha simply ran out of gas. The fight through the qualifying draw and a tough three-set upset over Na Li had finally taken its toll. The Brit was overwhelmed by a fellow seed slayer, Alicia Molik. Earlier in the week, Baltacha had spoken of how her confidence had grown in recent months, as she finally broke into the Top 100, where she felt she belonged. She still has plenty to be proud of as she leaves the desert, as she closes in on the Top 50.
Dudi Sela worked hard in his upset of Radek Stepanek
Court 6
It was a tough day at the office for many players but a successful one for Tommy Robredo and Dudi Sela who both pulled out thre- set wins, over Sergiy Stakhovsky and 14th-seeded Radek Stepanek, respectively. What the Spaniard and Israeli lack in size, they more than make up for in grit, heart and speed, both possessing solid groundstrokes and sizzling serves. It will make for a rousing match-up on Tuesday when they face off against each other.
More photos of the 2010 BNP Paribas Open
Photos: Danielle Lescure