Andy Murray - Rotterdam
Andy won his second ATP World Tour title of the season defeating injured top seed Rafael Nadal 6-3, 4-6, 6-0 in Rotterdam and adding this trophy to the Doha title he won last month. It was the Brit baller's second consecutive defeat of Rafa (third if you include the Abu Dhabi exo) and increased his head-to-head to 2-5 against the Spaniard and his record this year to 13-1, the lone loss coming in Melbourne at the hands of another Spaniard, Fernando Verdasco.
It's good to see Andy has continued his solid play after the disappointing early exit from the Aussie Open because when the 21-year old is healthy his game matches up with anyone's. What's not good to see is the re-emergence of Rafa's right knee issue that abruptly ended his 2008 season prior to the Masters Cup and forced him out of the Davis Cup final. I'm thinking (or is it hoping?) it's most likely fatigue from the many (long) matches he's played already this year.
Tommy Robredo - Costa do Sauipe
The Spaniard earned his eighth career title this weekend when he beat homeboy Thomaz Bellucci 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 at the Brasil Open. BONUS: Tommy also won the doubles crown with compatriot Marcel Granollers, the first time he's won both titles at the same tourney.
Radek Stepanek - San Jose
The Worm continued his winning ways at the SAP Open earning his second title of the season (Brisbane) by downing Mardy Fish 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 in today's final and shoring up his 2009 record to a solid 12-2. The Czech baller also avenged his finals loss last year by scraping past Andy Roddick in yesterday's tight semifinal.
Amelie Mauresmo - Paris
There was no place like home for Amelie this weekend - who wudda thunk it?! The Frenchie veteran marked her return from tennis oblivion to capture the Open GDF SUEZ title defeating Jelena Jankovic in a 3-set semifinal tussle and Elena Dementieva 7-6(7), 2-6, 6-4 in the final. It was her 25th career title and first since Antwerp almost exactly two years ago. Welcome back, Amelie!
Vera Zvonareva - Pattaya City
Vera continued the strong form she's shown this season racing to the final in the Thai city without dropping a set and continuing that trend, defeating a resurgent Sania Mirza 7-5, 6-1 to win the championship. It was the Russian's first title of the season and eighth of her career.
(images via AP + Getty)
I'm so incredibly happy for Amelie. When she won I teared up; it's great to have her back. She's amazing and I love her game, how rare is it to see a one-handed backhand! I hope that this is just the first of many more.
ReplyDeleteP.S. ugly people should not be allowed to win tournaments (do you hear me worm!)
Rafa really needs to work on his scheduling. I think he plays way too many matches each season. His style of play is just not meant to grind it out week after week.
ReplyDeleteThe clay court season is going to be brutal on his body because he's probably going to make it to the finals of every single tournament. And now that he is more successful on hardcourts and grass - he's going to go deep in all of those tournaments too.
I cried with Amelie (and Sara,) too! I hope this will help her with her confidence.
ReplyDelete*crosses fingers*
Vera Zvonareva is the name in this year...i hope that she can win one GS or a big event...she is strong and play very well!!
ReplyDeleteYAY for Amelie from me too! It's good to see her back in the saddle again (so far). I'm def not reading too much into this win, though it's a good one especially based on who was in the draw and that it was in Paris.
ReplyDelete*fingers crossed and toes crossed, intertwined with natch's*