We found Aucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

at Delgado's draw

Delgado and Healey play later on today

Rd1: J Auckland/S Huss (2) v N Mahut/D Norman

J Delgado/N Healey v L Friedl/M Mertinak

It's by no means an easy draw for Aucks and Huss as both Mahut and Norman have been in the singles top 75 and Mahut's ranked 56 in doubles. Both players serve-volley a lot in singles and have great touch at the net. Mahut made the quarters of the Aussie Open earlier this year with regular partner Julien Benneteau and also made the semis in Marseille. Norman won ATP Chennai with Xavier Malisse and has also been in two challenger finals. However, they've never played together before and that could be a crucial factor as in comparison, Aucks and Huss play week in, week out.

It's going to be an uphill task for Delgado especially when you consider that Mertinak has been to the quarters of slams, has won two challengers this year and on paper he's the weaker half. Friedl's ranked 32 in doubles and reached the US Open quarters last year aswell as two ATP finals on clay.

Sheddie wrote:

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Yeah, quite a journey from Houston !  I thought he would go for Bermuda or Cardiff as he was always going to miss the Monte Carlo cut...however, this challenger offers a lot more points which is the important thing...

I guess he'll head back to Europe next week for ATP Barcelona maybe ?

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I would presume he would stay in Morrocco and play ATP Casablanca next week, and that would involve a lot less travelling, and would probably have a weaker draw than Barcelona would

Friedl and Mertinak won 6-7, 6-3, 10-8

Harsh words from "the lad", even though the Brits are stereotyped as "gallant losers" I wouldn't say it's a characteristic just of Britain, happens to all countries in sport. Look at Australia with the Aussie Open.

I thought it was an excellent effort given it's just Delgy's 3rd tournament back and both Friedl and Mertinak have been in slam quarters.

Aucks and Huss today at 4pm GMT, should be live scores

yeah he's still on the verge...114 atm. Just needs a couple of good performances in challengers, he can play on the clay too...made 2 finals with stretch last August. next month is big for him. Casablanca next week could be very important, lots of pts at stake and a weaker field than the norm for an ATP, if he can get a decent draw for a change and maybe make semis....

I'm not too concerned about the Queens doubles pts, Jamie's so good on grass, as long as he doesn't draw top 2 seeds in rd1, he'll be a threat against anyone with a decent partner. Just needs 1 win to defend those pts. Wimbledon is the big one tho, did they make rd3 last yr ? That's gonna be tough to defend especially without Auckland as a partner.