Yevgeny lost in the first round! What is the world coming to? What's next?! Wednesday following Tuesday?? Snow in Siberia?? The world has gone mad MAD I SAY!

What a loser jerkwad. He lost to Nicolas Kiefer, who was 2-10 this year, having beaten only an injured Ivanisevic and the seriously overrated Taylor Dent. Kafelnikov is a disgrace to the sport.

Who will win this tourney now? Haas is the top remaining seed - he just took the first set off of young David Nalbandian. If he can survive the first round, he's got a good shot at the title. However, El Aynaoui is in his half, and has had a great year - as has Jiri Novak.

Thomas Johansson is in the top half with Juan Ignacio Chela. One of those two, or perhaps Nicolas Lapentti, would seem most likely to make it tot ehfinals there.

My prediction: El Aynaoui continues his magical run in small tournaments (two titles & a final already this year) and defeats Lapentti in the finals.

The Moroccan could do very well. I don't understand how Kafelnikov could continue to lose first round matches and keep his #4 ranking. Chela and the Moroccan (can't spell the name!) are having the best seasons so far. I wouldn't mind if Novak wins. There are so many Spaniards and Argentines in so many of these draws.

Who's the cutest up and coming Spanish or Argentine player? (Alex Corretja and Franco Squillari are not "up and comers") Who should I root for in their stead?

El Aynaoui's through to the quarters, and faces the French Boutter next. Lapentti remains as the last seed in the top half. Haas faces Youzhny next, which could be trouble for young Tommy.

Meanwhile, over in Mallorca, in the battle of the invalids, Kuerten beat Norman in three sets. Could Guga really be in playing form already? Can he win this tournament? If not him, who? Jarkko Nieminen?!? Right now, I'm going with either Calleri or Zabaleta, with an asterisk saying that if indeed GK is back in form, he's the obvious favorite. Ah, to be in Mallorca right now...

Guga's match against Gaudio should be a serious test of his tennis. Given the Barcelona win, I would add Gaudio to the possible winners list. Tough to win two tournaments in a row, but he's obviously playing well.

Good call, JC. Gaudio won in 2 sets. If he can pull off the back-to-back, weeks thing, that would be amazing. In any case, there's a good chance an Argentine will win, one way or the other. Three semifinalists helps the odds immensely.

Back in Munich, El Aynaoui is still rolling! Top seed left! Keep it up, Younes!!

SPOILER (final result):

El Aynaoui d. Schuettler, 6-4, 6-4

Way to go Younes! The story:
http://sports.yahoo.com/ten/news/ap/200205.../ap-munich.html