LOS ANGELES (AFP) — Olympic left-over Denis Gremelmayr shoved disappointment aside on Monday to begin his summer hardcourt campaign with a victory after being replaced on Germany's Beijing squad by Rainer Schuettler.
Gremelmayr, ranked 86th and winner of a set over Roger Federer at Estoril last spring, began his week at the Los Angeles Classic 6-4, 6-2 over Italian Fabio Fognini, Italy, 6-4, 6-2.
Despite the German tennis federation backing his cause, Gremelmayr was denied a place on the squad after the country's Olympic Committee nominated the Schuettler following a surprise Wimbledon semi-final.
The 32-year-old's name was then rejected by the International Tennis Federation as not eligible for the 56-strong field which was based on world rankings on a June 9 deadline.
But Schuettler, currently 33rd on the ATP, was reinstated to the field on Monday by the the Court of Arbitration for Sport on Monday, drawing protest from the ITF.
"It's not Rainer's fault, he played very well at Wimbledon," said Gremelmayr, "He did play the semis, even if it was after the Olympic deadline.
"I guess the Olympic committee thought he had better chances than me. I've not spoken to Rrainer but there is no point to complain.
"I've been training for two weeks, the hard court season is very important for me. I cannot call the ATP or ITF every two days asking about the situation."
Schuettler retained Beijing-based law firm to pleased his case for inclusion successfully against ITF objections.
"I will be happy to play Davis Cup for Germany," said Gremelmayr, winner of Challenger and Futures titles. "It's not the fault of the German tennis federation, but the Olympic committee.
"And they are just sitting in their offices and making the decisions."
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