Not the way to start a major - 5/22/2011

Date: 5/22/2011
Result: Roland Garros R1, Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo def. Marin Cilic, 7-6 6-4 6-4
Why it matters:
- With just three top-100 wins in the last 2 years (granted, two were this year...), and only one win ever in the first round of a major this should never have happened for Ramirez-Hidalgo.  He didn't have to do so much, just wait around while Cilic self-destructed, but he did hold his nerve when Cilic decided to make a final push and try to win the match.  Ramirez Hidalgo is near the end of his career, so he should savor this - if his post-match reaction was an indication, then he intends to - and also try to make the most of it as he's cleared the seed from his section now.  He's got the winner of the unheralded Turk Marsel Ilhan and a just-back-from-injury Tommy Haas.  He could repeat his run to the fourth round in 2006.
- What more can be said about Cilic than he needs to wake up and seem like he cares.  His game is perfect for clay, but it's better than what he showed today.  The big benefit for Cilic, though, is that because the top guys are SO stingy about letting anyone else win tournaments, even though his season has been unspectacular he is still 18th in the Race, counting only points from 2011, and he's just one good tournament from getting himself into the top 10.  If Cilic gets in the right mindset, look for him in the US summer season, but if he doesn't, we'll have another case of wasted talent.

Honorable Mentions:
- Roland Garros R1, Varvara Lepchenko def. Flavia Pennetta - 63 26 63 - Pennetta didn't look herself and Lepchenko took advantage.  This is the second time Pennetta has had a shock first round loss to an American at Roland Garros, and it's a disturbing pattern for the Italian.  Believe it or not, Lepchenko is an American who prefers clay.  It's probably because she was born and grew up in the Soviet Union, but she's a naturalized citizen and the Americans should be happy to have her.  Now there is a guaranteed American woman in R3 because Lepchenko's next opponent is...
- Roland Garros R1, Bethanie Mattek-Sands def. Arantxa Parra Santonja - 26 76 63 - Bethanie was down and out to a clay-court specialist, but her newfound good attitude carried her through.  She bided her time and reeled in her errors just in time.  I'm not as brave (read: crazy) as Steve Tignor, who has chosen Mattek-Sands to make the semifinals, but winning today was important to consolidating her high ranking.  Her true goal should be win enough to get into the top 32 in time for Wimbledon seedings.  She's played well there before and ensuring a favorable draw may allow her another good result.