Schuettler tops Dubai shock exits
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Schuettler: "I am playing well in practice."
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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber sprang an early surprise at the Dubai Open with a 3-6 6-4 6-4 win over third-seeded compatriot Rainer Schuettler.
British sixth seed Tim Henman suffered a similar fate against Czech qualifier Tomas Zib, losing 6-4 3-6 7-6.
And in another upset, Olivier Rochus of Belgium beat fifth-seeded Australian Mark Philippoussis 6-2 7-6.
Schuettler started strongly, but dropped his serve just twice to lose the match to a player ranked 164th in the world.
Trailing 4-5 in the final set, he double faulted and committed two unforced errors.
"I think I am potentially playing to the same standard as last year -- I am playing well in practice," said Schuttler.
"If I knew why I am not playing to my normal standard I would at least be a step towards it."
"I thought if I can hold my serve long enough I would get my chances on his serve because he's not the best server in the world," said 20-year-old Kohlschreiber, claiming his first ever victory over a leading player.
"At 5-4 in the second and the third sets he made a double-fault and then one more easy mistake each time."
Schuettler, the world number six, has endured a tough start to 2004, losing his first three matches of the year before reaching the quarterfinals in Rotterdam last month.
Henman looked uncomfortable from the start against Zib, holding off a break point in the opening game and then double-faulting to drop his serve and lose the first set.
The Briton fought back to take the second set and broke Zib to lead 2-1, but Zib leveled immediately and always looked in charge as he claimed victory in the tiebreaker.
"I knew his game well and that was the key," said Zib. "I served well and it was hard for him. It's definitely the biggest win of my career."
In six visits to Dubai, Henman has readhed the last eight just twice.
"I absolutely have played a lot worse before and won," said Henman. "It's tough losing such a close match. It's disappointing but you have to move on."
In another upset, Olivier Rochus of Belgium beat fifth-seeded Australian Mark Philippoussis 6-2 7-6.
Frenchman Gregory Carraz followed up his first round win over Juan Carlos Ferrero in Marseille last week by beating local wild card Omar Bahrouzyan 6-0 6-0.
Kuwaiti wild card Mohammed Al Ghareeb was match point away from becoming the first player from the Middle East to win on the ATP Tour, befoe losing 7-6 3-6 7-6 to Dutchman Dennis Van Scheppingen.
