Kiefer calls for Schuettler's Olympic inclusion

AFP ©

GSTAAD, Switzerland (AFP) - Rejuvenated German Nicolas Kiefer made the switch from grass back to clay, mowing down Italian qualifier Gianluca Naso 6-3, 6-2 on Tuesday to reach the second round of the Gstaad Open.

German qualifier Dominik Meffert, a career-best number 162, joined his more celebrated compatriot with a win, upending 2007 finalist Andreas Seppi of Italy, the fifth seed, 6-2, 5-7, 6-4.

France's Jeremy Chardy, who reached the Roland Garros fourth round, put out Peruvian Luis Horna 7-6 (7/5), 6-7 (8/10), 7-5 to line up against Meffert.

Romanian Victor Hanescu, who won a match in his only other Gstaad appearance in 2004, reached the second round over Frenchman Olivier Patience 7-6 (7/4), 6-2.

The 31-year-old sixth-seeded Kiefer is looking ahead with hopes that fellow veteran and good friend Rainer Schuettler will be given a late place on the German Olympic team for Beijing after last week's Wimbledon semi-final surprise.

Kiefer and Schuettler, 32, won Athens silver in 2004 and would love nothing more than to be given a second lease of life for Games glory.

Kiefer, playing in Gstaad for the first time in eight years, put in a plea for his friend's inclusion onto the squad, whose selection deadline passed a week ago as Schuettler was in the thick of his run to grass glory.

"For Rainer, it was a week too late, but I hope the federation can reconsider and let him come to Beijing," said Kiefer, who takes a 2-0 record into a match with Spain's Guillermo Garcia-Lopez.

"At least bring him to Beijing and then let's see if we should play doubles," said Kiefer, who first played Gstaad a decade ago on one of the first wild cards of his career.

"I'd love to play with Rainer again, we would be ready to have another try at the gold. "

Kiefer said he never doubted his friend's chances to do well again after a run of injury and illness. Kiefer knows that scenario well, having missed a year with a wrist injury from summer, 2006, at the French Open.

The number 32 improved to 15-12 this season at this resort event which he loves.

"The atmosphere is just great, nice hotel, nice view, nice facilities. I hope to have a day off tomorrow as I want to ride the gondola to the top of the (Col du Pillon) glacier (more than 3,000 high in the Alps not far from the village)."

Swiss No. 2 Stan Wawrinka heads the field at this resort with defending champion Paul-Henri Mathieu lined up for an opening match after a bye when he plays Croatian Marin Cilic for the sixth time this season, likely on Wednesday.