Day 7 Review: Lopez Wins Johannesburg; Cilic Defends Zagreb; Bellucci Captures Santiago
February 8, 2010 · Print This Article
SA Tennis Open—Johannesburg, South Africa
No. 3 seed Feliciano Lopez won his second career title on Sunday, defeating Frenchman Stephane Robert 7-5, 6-1 to capture the SA Open event in South Africa.
Lopez, who had pushed Andy Roddick to four tough sets at the Australian Open, imposed his experience towards the latter stages of the first-set to gain momentum.
Leading by a set, Lopez began to take the level of serving to another level, winning 12 straight points to race away with the second set and the match.
Improving to 7-2 on the year, Lopez will next see action in Rotterdam, the Netherlands next week.
Ending a four and a half year title drought, Lopez had this to say after his victory.
“I hope that this title now will help me to have more confidence in my game, to believe more in myself, so I can get more titles in my career,” said Lopez, who faces world No. 6 Nikolay Davydenko in the first round in Rotterdam.
Robert, who was competing in the first Tour-level final of his career, will move up into the mid 70’s in the rankings after his performance in South Africa.
“I didn’t do anything special this week,” said Robert, reflecting on his success. ”Last week, last month, the past couple of months I was playing really good tennis. I have to admit, my draw was good this week. I was seeded, so when you are No. 100 this week and you are seeded it means it’s a bit of luck for me because I got protected for the first two rounds and it opened some doors. I was there to take this opportunity and I’m very proud of what I did this week.”
PBZ Zagreb Indoors—Croatia
Top seed Marin Cilic improved to 15-1 on the season after defeating Michael Berrer 6-4, 6-7 (4), 6-3 to win the PBZ Open in Croatia on Sunday.
Losing his first set of the week to Berrer, Cilic fell behind early in the second set tiebreak to level the match at one set all. Berrer’s return of serve, combined with his stellar serving of the week, gave the veteran German a fighting chance.
Gaining an early break of serve in the third set, Cilic raced to his second title of 2010. Winning in Chennai, India to start the year, the 21-year-old reached his maiden Grand Slam semifinal in a losing effort to Andy Murray in Melbourne.
“I was surprised with the level of his game,” confessed Cilic. ”It’s not that I underestimated him; it’s just that I did not expect this level of tennis in his first major final. There were no ups and downs in his game; I had to earn every point.
“I was not as fast today as I was in the previous rounds. I have played lot of matches this year, but it was also mentally tough. Now I can relax.”
Remaining one of the hottest players on Tour, Cilic could very well be the break through player of 2010.
Cilic told reporters after his win that his title in Zagreb was perhaps the most special of his career.
“I would say this [title] is the [most] special one,” said Cilic. “I did not have much time to adjust after the Australian Open; it was not easy to meet people’s expectations. I am proud about what I’ve done.”
Recently capturing the No. 10 ranking in the world, Cilic will next see action at the Dubai Open.
Berrer, who was participating in his first Tour-level final, told reporters that he was proud of his effort.
“I was sure that it would be a very, very tough match,” said Berrer. ”But I felt I had chances because with the way I play I can hurt players and I did today, but at the end he showed that he is a Top 10 player. There’s a difference in playing a guy like him than playing a guy outside the Top 20.”
“Now, I hope I’m in a good way but you have to be lucky to stay healthy and everything, but so far, so good. If I can go on playing like this then I think I can get in the area of the top players and that will be really a success for me.”
Movistar Open—Santiago, Chile
A day after upsetting top seed Fernando Gonzalez in the semifinals, No. 3 seed Thomaz Bellucci captured his second career title by defeating No. 2 seed Juan Monaco 6-2, 0-6, 6-4.
Winning the first set with relative ease, Bellucci converted on three of six break points to lead his Argentine opponent.
Not to be outdone, the clay-court mastery of Monaco took over in the second set. Using his penetrating backhand and topspin first serve, Monaco struck three aces and broke serve on three occasions to serve up a love set victory.
After capturing the first set, a complacent Bellucci won a mere 27 percent of his second serve points during the second set.
Beginning on serve in the third set, Bellucci captured the lone break of serve by either player in the ninth game. Using his heavy forehand and fluid court movement, Bellucci served out the match and his second career title.
Capturing his first career title in Gstaad last summer, Bellucci improved to 9-3 on the season.
Monaco, who was bidding for his fourth career title, fell to 7-3 on the year. The Argentine last won a Tour-level title in Kitzbuhel, Austria (2007).
Monaco had this to say after his disappointing loss.
“I’m upset about the loss but I want to congratulate Thomaz; he had an excellent week and deserved to win the title,” Monaco said.
Bellucci will next see action on home-soil in Brazil next week. The 22-year-old will once again participate as the No. 3 seed in Costa do Sauipe when he faces countryman Thiago Alvaes in first round action.
Check back for next week’s coverage from San Jose, California; Rotterdam, Netherlands, Brazil, Costa do Sauipe.
Quotes courtesy of atpworldtour.com.
Comments
Got something to say?