(Sunrise, FL) - Four seeded players advanced at the BMW Tennis Championship today; but one fan favorite fell in the first round.

In the first stadium court match Wednesday, #2 seed Dmitry Tursunov lost the first set to American Kevin Kim 3-6, then cruised through the next two, in windy conditions. “It wasn’t really that big of a difference in the first set, he just played a little bit better on important points and put a little more pressure on me,” Tursunov said. “In the second set I think I did a little bit better, hitting to his weaker side and trying to wear him out a little bit. These are tough conditions so whoever is willing to keep his hand in the fire a little bit longer is going to succeed.”

The Russian added that this tournament is an essential part of his strategy to win at the Nasdaq-100 Open, coming up just after the BMW. “It’s always nice to win a few matches going into a big tournament, so I think everyone is playing hard, and this is a tough field, so you’re going to see a lot of upsets. Everyone’s fighting pretty hard.”

Tursunov, currently ranked #50, said that upsets are inherent in this unique Challenger, which pits top-ranked veteran players against younger players who are hungry to make their mark on the tour. He said he remembers playing his first few ATP events – and appreciates how important an event like the BMW Tennis Championship is to new tour players. “You get used to it after a while, you start taking it for granted, but the first few tournaments you play you’re very excited, and you’re going to try a lot harder, you’re gonna try like it’s your last day on earth.”
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Austrian Stefan Koubek lost his first set against German Michael Berrer in a tiebreak – and admits he started out the match feeling tight. “I don’t know how it looked from an outsider, but inside it didn’t feel really good playing in there, I didn’t get along with the wind, I was a little bit tight, I didn’t feel my shots so good.”

Koubek found his rhythm in the second set, after a bit of luck on break point, when he hit a frame lob that clipped the line. From that point Koubek controlled the match, winning the second set 6-4, and the third 6-2.

Koubek says he spent the past few months off working hard on his fitness. “I’m feeling pretty good, I was working hard in the winter practicing a lot and I’m really fit now, I’m healthy. I had a lot of problems last year but now I’m fit and I’m looking forward to the season.”

Also Wednesday, number four seed “Dr. Ivo” Karlovic of Croatia served his way through a close first set against Australian Chris Guccione, winning in straight sets 7-6(5), 64. Number five seed Alberto Martin of Spain defeated Czech Jan Hernych in straight sets after Hernych retired with injury in the second; the score was 7-5, 1-0 (ret.). Number six seed Florian Mayer defeated Frenchman Gilles Simon 6-3, 7-5.

In Tuesday’s first night match, former world #5 Rainer Schuettler was upset by Australian Peter Luczak in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4. Luczak is currently ranked 131, Schuettler 78.

For complete tournament results for March 15, click here.

For more information contact:
J.C. Summerford, Media Director
jc@sunrisetennis.com
561-843-1131 (cell)