2013/05/20

Del Potro Takes Rotterdam Crown Over Benneteau

Delpotro51112Madrid

(February 17, 2013) Juan Martin Del Potro won his 14th ATP World Tour tennis event with a 7-6(2), 6-3 win over Julien Benneteau for the Rotterdam title.

“It’s amazing. I’m so happy to win this tournament,” Del Potro said. “I played really well from the first round to the final. I think I played the way I needed to, to win this kind of tournament.”

“I had been serving well all week, but at the beginning of the match I was nervous and he broke me. Then in the second set I felt confident on my first serve and didn’t give him a chance to break me. I closed the match with a fantastic service game. He deserved to be in the final. He played a really good match today. He was fighting all the time and I think I did a very good job today.”

“I fought hard to come back in the first set,” said Benneteau who upset Roger Federer in the Quarterfinals. “I was always under pressure; I had to save a lot of break points. It’s difficult to keep that level of intensity all the time. He did that better than me.

“It was a good match. I was not too tight, I played my game. He was just too strong today. It’s disappointing because it’s a final, but I did what I can.”

RESULTS – SUNDAY, 17 FEBRUARY, 2013

Singles – Final
[2] J Del Potro (ARG) d J Benneteau (FRA) 76(2) 63

Doubles – Final
[3] R Lindstedt (SWE) / N Zimonjic (SRB) d [WC] T de Bakker (NED) / J Huta Galung (NED) 57 63 10-8

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Del Potro and Benneteau to Meet in Rotterdam Final

Delpotro51112Madrid

(February 16, 2013) Juan Martin Del Potro and Julien Benneteau moved into the finals the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam.

Del Potro is into his second straight final in Rotterdam defeating Grigor Dimitrov 6-4, 6-4. Del Potro lost in last year’s final to Roger Federer Benneteau topped fellow Frenchman Gilles Simon 6-4, 7-6 (2). Benneteau upset Roger Federer on Friday

“It was not as good as yesterday, but who cares? I won,” Benneteau said of Saturday’s win.

RESULTS – SATURDAY, 16 FEBRUARY, 2013

Singles – Semi-finals
[2] J Del Potro (ARG) d G Dimitrov (BUL) 64 64
J Benneteau (FRA) d [5] G Simon (FRA) 64 76(2)

Doubles – Semi-finals
[3] R Lindstedt (SWE) / N Zimonjic (SRB) d [1] M Granollers (ESP) / M Lopez (ESP) 62 76(10)
[WC] T de Bakker (NED) / J Huta Galung (NED) d [4] M Fyrstenberg (POL) / M Matkowski (POL) 64 75

SCHEDULE – SUNDAY, 17 FEBRUARY, 2013

CENTRE COURT start 12:00 noon
[3] R Lindstedt (SWE) / N Zimonjic (SRB) vs [WC] T de Bakker (NED) / J Huta Galung (NED)

Not Before 2:30 PM
J Benneteau (FRA) vs [2] J Del Potro (ARG)

 

 

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Benneteau Upsets Federer in Rotterdam

Federer Sony Ericsson Open

(February 15, 2013) Frenchman Julien Benneteau upset No. 1 seed Roger Federer 6-3, 7-5 to move into the Rotterdam semifinals. The sluggish Swiss struggled with his serve and had no answer for the Frenchman’s serve.

“It is one of the biggest wins, for sure,” said the No. 39 player in the world. “To play against Roger, Friday night, full house, it’s a dream, and I played like in a dream.”

Benneteau came close to defeating Federer at Wimbledon last summer, up two sets to none, but the Swiss recovered to win.

“I started bad, but fortunately got back into the game,” Federer said. “But when you get broken as much as happened to me, you won’t get the job done.”

Benneteau will face fellow Frenchman Gilles Simon for a spot in the final.

 

RESULTS – FRIDAY, 15 FEBRUARY, 2013

Singles – Quarter-finals
J Benneteau (FRA) d [1] R Federer (SUI) 63 75
[2] J Del Potro (ARG) d J Nieminen (FIN) 63 64
[5] G Simon (FRA) d M Klizan (SVK) 67(6) 63 30 ret. (cramping)
G Dimitrov (BUL) d M Baghdatis (CYP) 67(4) 76(0) 63

Doubles – Quarter-finals
[1] M Granollers (ESP) / M Lopez (ESP) d J Knowle (AUT) / F Polasek (SVK) 62 64

SCHEDULE – SATURDAY, 16 FEBRUARY, 2013

CENTRE COURT start 2:00 pm
G Dimitrov (BUL) vs [2] J Del Potro (ARG)
[1] M Granollers (ESP) / M Lopez (ESP) vs [3] R Lindstedt (SWE) / N Zimonjic (SRB)

Not Before 7:30 PM
J Benneteau (FRA) vs [5] G Simon (FRA)
[4] M Fyrstenberg (POL) / M Matkowski (POL) vs [WC] T de Bakker (NED) / J Huta Galung (NED)

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Federer and Del Potro Gain Rotterdam Quarterfinals, Gasquet Falls

 

rotterdam

(February 14, 2013) Switzerland’s Roger Federer defeated Dutchman Thiemo de Bakker 6-3, 6-4 on Thursday to move into the quarterfinals of the tennis tournament in Rotterdam.

Federer who is the top seed and defending champion will play France’s Julien Benneteau in the quarterfinals.

Last year’s finalist second seed Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina stopped Latvia’s Ernests Gulbis 7-6 (5), 6-3. Del Potro gets Finland’s Jarkko Nieminen next.

In the upset of the day Marcos Baghdatis defeated No. 4 seed Richard Gasquet of France 6-4, 6-4.

RESULTS – THURSDAY, 14 FEBRUARY, 2013

Singles – Second Round
[1] R Federer (SUI) d [WC] T de Bakker (NED) 63 64
[2] J Del Potro (ARG) d [Q] E Gulbis (LAT) 76(5) 63
M Baghdatis (CYP) d [4] R Gasquet (FRA) 64 64
M Klizan (SVK) d [WC] I Sijsling (NED) 62 64
J Nieminen (FIN) d [Q] M Bachinger (GER) 63 57 63

Doubles – Quarter-finals
[3] R Lindstedt (SWE) / N Zimonjic (SRB) d C Fleming (GBR) / J Marray (GBR) 46 01 ret. (Marray – right calf muscle strain)
[4] M Fyrstenberg (POL) / M Matkowski (POL) d [Alt] J Janowicz (POL) / J Nieminen (FIN) 46 75 10-8
[WC] T de Bakker (NED) / J Huta Galung (NED) d J Benneteau (FRA) / R Gasquet (FRA) 64 36 10-7
SCHEDULE – FRIDAY, 15 FEBRUARY, 2013

CENTRE COURT start 11:00 am
[1] M Granollers (ESP) / M Lopez (ESP) vs J Knowle (AUT) / F Polasek (SVK)

Not Before 12:30 PM
G Dimitrov (BUL) vs M Baghdatis (CYP)
J Nieminen (FIN) vs [2] J Del Potro (ARG)

Not Before 7:30 PM
[1] R Federer (SUI) vs J Benneteau (FRA)
M Klizan (SVK) vs [5] G Simon (FRA)

 

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Federer, Gasquet Gain Second Round

Roger Federer Courtesy of Wilson Racquets

(February 13, 2013) Defending Rotterdam champion Roger Federer eased into the second round on Wednesday, defeating Grega Zemlja 6-3, 6-1.

Federer closed out the match in 58 minute in Ahoy arena.

“Hall play is different. It’s warmer, so the ball flies more and it takes a bit of getting used to,” Federer told media about his opponent after a hiatus since he lost in the semifinals of the Australian Open. “The first ones are never easy. But I’m happy to be back and playing well.”

RESULTS – WEDNESDAY, 13 FEBRUARY, 2013

Singles – Second Round
[5] G Simon (FRA) d [Q] M Viola (ITA) 63 61
J Benneteau (FRA) d V Hanescu (ROU) 61 63
G Dimitrov (BUL) d N Davydenko (RUS) 75 63

Singles – First Round
[1] R Federer (SUI) d G Zemlja (SLO) 63 61
[4] R Gasquet (FRA) d V Troicki (SRB) 76(3) 61
[Q] M Bachinger (GER) d [6] A Seppi (ITA) 63 64
M Baghdatis (CYP) d B Paire (FRA) 60 67(3) 40 ret. (illness)

Doubles – First Round
C Fleming (GBR) / J Marray (GBR) d *[Alt] S Fransen (NED) / W Koolhof (NED) 46 61 10-2
**[Alt] J Janowicz (POL) / J Nieminen (FIN) d T Huey (PHI) / D Inglot (GBR) 64 75
[WC] T de Bakker (NED) / J Huta Galung (NED) d [WC] R Haase (NED) / I Sijsling (NED) 26 63 10-3

*[Alt] S Fransen (NED) / W Koolhof (NED) replaced D Nestor (CAN) / M Youzhny (RUS) – (Youzhny – hip)
**[Alt] J Janowicz (POL) / J Nieminen (FIN) replaced J del Potro (ARG) / M Llodra (FRA) – (Llodra – illness)

 

SCHEDULE – THURSDAY, 14 FEBRUARY, 2013

CENTRE COURT start 11:00 am
[Q] M Bachinger (GER) vs J Nieminen (FIN)
M Baghdatis (CYP) vs [4] R Gasquet (FRA)
[Q] E Gulbis (LAT) vs [2] J Del Potro (ARG)
[3] R Lindstedt (SWE) / N Zimonjic (SRB) vs C Fleming (GBR) / J Marray (GBR)

Not Before 7:30 PM
[1] R Federer (SUI) vs [WC] T de Bakker (NED)
[WC] I Sijsling (NED) vs M Klizan (SVK)

COURT 1 not before 2:00 PM
[Alt] J Janowicz (POL) / J Nieminen (FIN) vs [4] M Fyrstenberg (POL) / M Matkowski (POL) – After Suitable Rest
[WC] T de Bakker (NED) / J Huta Galung (NED) vs J Benneteau (FRA) / R Gasquet (FRA) – TBA, After Suitable Rest

 

 

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Del Potro Defeats Monfils, Nieminen Serves Goffin Double Bagel

delpotro

(February 12, 2013) Argentina’s Juan Martin Del Potro stopped Gael Monfils of France 6-3, 6-4 on Tuesday to reach the second of the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam.

Del Potro just needed a single break in each set to take the match. DelPotro was the runner-up in last year’s final, losing to Roger Federer.

In the last match of the day, Jarkko Nieminen destroyed David Goffin 6-0, 6-0 in an hour. It was just the second “double bagel” to be recorded in the tournament’s history and the first since 1987.

Roger Federer, the top seed and defending champion in the event will take to the court on Wednesday against Grega Zemlja.

 

RESULTS – TUESDAY, 12 FEBRUARY, 2013

Singles – First Round
[2] J Del Potro (ARG) d [WC] G Monfils (FRA) 63 64
[WC] T de Bakker (NED) d M Youzhny (RUS) 36 76(2) 41 ret. (hip)
J Benneteau (FRA) d *[LL] T Kamke (GER) 63 62
J Nieminen (FIN) d D Goffin (BEL) 60 60
[Q] E Gulbis (LAT) d R Haase (NED) 62 61

**[LL] T Kamke (GER) replaced M Llodra (FRA) – illness

Doubles – First Round
[1] M Granollers (ESP) / M Lopez (ESP) d R Bopanna (IND) / R Ram (USA) 76(2) 63
J Benneteau (FRA) / R Gasquet (FRA) d [2] A Qureshi (PAK) / J Rojer (NED) 75 62
[4] M Fyrstenberg (POL) / M Matkowski (POL) d B Paire (FRA) / G Simon (FRA) 76(4) 36 10-5
J Knowle (AUT) / F Polasek (SVK) d M Baghdatis (CYP) / G Dimitrov (BUL) 76(4) 61

SCHEDULE – WEDNESDAY, 13 FEBRUARY, 2013

CENTRE COURT start 11:00 am
[WC] T de Bakker (NED) / J Huta Galung (NED) vs [WC] R Haase (NED) / I Sijsling (NED)

Not Before 12:30 PM
V Troicki (SRB) vs [4] R Gasquet (FRA)

Not Before 1:30 PM
B Paire (FRA) vs M Baghdatis (CYP)
[Alt] S Fransen (NED) / W Koolhof (NED) vs C Fleming (GBR) / J Marray (GBR)

Not Before 7:30 PM
[1] R Federer (SUI) vs G Zemlja (SLO)
N Davydenko (RUS) vs G Dimitrov (BUL)

COURT 1 start 11:00 am
[6] A Seppi (ITA) vs [Q] M Bachinger (GER)
[Q] M Viola (ITA) vs [5] G Simon (FRA)
J Benneteau (FRA) vs V Hanescu (ROU)
T Huey (PHI) / D Inglot (GBR) vs [Alt] J Janowicz (POL) / J Nieminen (FIN)

 

 

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Tsonga Ousted in Rotterdam

 

10062012 China Open Tsonga smiles in press

(February 11, 2013) No. 8 Jo-Wilfred Tsonga of France was upset in Rotterdam on Monday but Dutch wild card Igor Sijsling 7-6 (3), 4-6, 6-4.

The 77th ranked Sijsling called it “maybe the greatest” victory of his career, ” at home, against a top-10 player, in front of this crowd.”

In others upsets Romania’s Victor Hanescu stopped seventh seed Jerzy Janowicz of Poland 7-6 (4), 6-3, while Bernard Tomic of Australia lost to Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.

In the last match of the day Russia’s Nikolay Davydenko stopped Germany’s Florian Mayer 6-3, 6-2.

Defending champion Roger Federer plays his first match of the tournament on Wednesday.

RESULTS – MONDAY, 11 FEBRUARY, 2013

Singles – First Round
[WC] I Sijsling (NED) d [3] J Tsonga (FRA) 76(3) 46 64
[5] G Simon (FRA) d [Q] D Brands (GER) 76(3) 64
V Hanescu (ROU) d [7] J Janowicz (POL) 76(4) 63
N Davydenko (RUS) d [8] F Mayer (GER) 63 62
M Klizan (SVK) d P Mathieu (FRA) 64 36 75
[Q] M Viola (ITA) d M Granollers (ESP) 57 63 61
G Dimitrov (BUL) d B Tomic (AUS) 63 36 63

Doubles – First Round
[3] R Lindstedt (SWE) / N Zimonjic (SRB) d E Butorac (USA) / P Hanley (AUS) 46 63 15-13

SCHEDULE – TUESDAY, 12 FEBRUARY, 2013

CENTRE COURT start 11:00 am
[1] M Granollers (ESP) / M Lopez (ESP) vs R Bopanna (IND) / R Ram (USA)

Not Before 12:30 PM
M Youzhny (RUS) vs [WC] T de Bakker (NED)

Not Before 1:30 PM
[Q] E Gulbis (LAT) vs R Haase (NED)

Not Before 3:30 PM
J Knowle (AUT) / F Polasek (SVK) vs M Baghdatis (CYP) / G Dimitrov (BUL)

Not Before 7:30 PM
[WC] G Monfils (FRA) vs [2] J Del Potro (ARG)
J Nieminen (FIN) vs D Goffin (BEL)

COURT 1 start 12:00 noon
B Paire (FRA) / G Simon (FRA) vs [4] M Fyrstenberg (POL) / M Matkowski (POL)
J Benneteau (FRA) vs M Llodra (FRA)
J Benneteau (FRA) / R Gasquet (FRA) vs [2] A Qureshi (PAK) / J Rojer (NED) – After Suitable Rest

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Cilic Makes It Three Zagreb Crowns

Marin Cilic

Marin Cilic

(February 10, 2013) Top seed Croatian Marin Cilic needed only 67 minutes to dispose of Austria’s Jurgen Melzer 6-3, 6-1 to claim his third Zagreb indoors title on Sunday.

Cilic dominated from the start to finish in claiming his ninth career ATP World Tour title.

“Most of my game was working extremely well. My returns were really good and I had a read on almost all of his serves. I took my chances and defended well. Overall, I played a great match from beginning to the end,” Cilic said.

“This final is probably the best match I played in this season,” said Cilic who is now 9-2 on the year.

“This was an almost brilliant match on my part. It was tough to break Melzer in the first set, but after I did it the path to victory was open.”

“He was the better player today,” Melzer said. “I needed it to be close at 4-all, 5-all in the first set to give me confidence. That didn’t happen and he ran away with it. I felt like I was hitting the ball really well at the beginning, but he hit the ball even better. What made the difference in the first few games is that he had free points on serve, whereas I had to work for them: hit a winner or play well so he missed. He deserved the victory.”

Cilic also won in Zagreb in 2009 and 2010.

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ATP World Tour- Rotterdam Monday Schedule

rotterdam

ATP World Tour 500
Rotterdam, The Netherlands (+1 hour GMT)
11-17 February, 2013 Surface: Indoor Hard

 

SCHEDULE – MONDAY, 11 FEBRUARY, 2013

CENTRE COURT start 11:00 noon
M Klizan (SVK) vs P Mathieu (FRA)

Not Before 12:30 PM
[Q] D Brands (GER) vs [5] G Simon (FRA)

Not Before 1:30 PM
B Tomic (AUS) vs G Dimitrov (BUL)
[3] R Lindstedt (SWE) / N Zimonjic (SRB) vs E Butorac (USA) / P Hanley (AUS)

Not Before 7:30 PM
[3] J Tsonga (FRA) vs [WC] I Sijsling (NED)
[8] F Mayer (GER) vs N Davydenko (RUS)

COURT 1 start 11:00
V Hanescu (ROU) vs [7] J Janowicz (POL)
[Q] M Viola (ITA) vs M Granollers (ESP)

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Gasquet Wins All-French Final in Montpellier

Richard Gasquet

(February 10, 2013) In an all-French affair, Richard Gasquet defeated Benoit Paire 6-2, 6-3 to capture the Open Sud de France in Montpellier on Sunday. It’s Gasquet’s second tournament win of the year improving his 2013 record to 14-1. He’s the first two-time ATP World Tour titlist of the 2013 season. He also won the Qatar Open.

For Gasquet it’s his ninth ATP World title overall.

“I feel very happy and relieved to win here in Montpellier in front of my friends and family,“ said Gasquet. Since the tournament has been here, it’s been an objective to lift the trophy. I was really disappointed last year when I lost in the quarter-finals. Defeating Gael [Monfils] in a difficult match earlier this week put me in the right direction towards the title.

“The circumstances here are totally different for me, from the rest of the weeks on the tour, because I sleep at home in Bezier and I drive back and forth every day [40 minutes away]. It’s a totally different feeling than lifting a trophy in a different country far away. Also, I know and meet so many people I used to play with when I was younger. I feel I have played against the entire stadium!

“I realize this is my best season start ever and I just want to keep going and stay healthy. I am leaving tomorrow to Rotterdam, then Marseille, which is also an important tournament in France for me.”

 

Despite the loss, Paire looks at the tournament as a positive: “It’s a positive week overall for me. I am a bit disappointed about today’s performance but Richard is a very strong player, with a very unique style, and there was nothing I could do today. I felt a bit stressed out before the final, due to the special circumstances of the match, but these are all positive experiences and I am learning a lot from them. I am very happy to have reached the final. I could have lost against Steve Darcis if it wasn’t for a miraculous let ball on the match point against me.

“It’s nice that it has happened here in Montpellier in front of my parents, who don’t often get to see me play. I grew up not far away from here and used to play all the small tournaments around here. I know I have improved a lot in my attitude and it was important this week to show my parents I am no longer the Benoit who goes crazy and breaks racquets. I really needed them to see how I have changed and I need to keep going. I feel I am on the right track if I stay calm and focused.”

Marc Gicquel and Michael Llodra took the doubles crown to become the eighth all-French pair to win the doubles title since 1987. Six of the last eight years have seen all-French teams win the doubles.

“Now I can say that I won all the French tournaments – except Roland Garros – as Montpellier was the one I was missing Llodra said. “My objective in doubles is to beat Guy’s [Forget] doubles record of 28 titles. I won’t stop until I beat him. I am very happy about this 24th title. I’m not sure how many different partners I’ve had, but I am very happy to have won with my friend ‘Marco’ here in Montpellier. He’s a great guy and we had a blast all week.”

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