One week before the Madrid Masters and the tennis world continues its tour around the clay courts of Europe. From Estoril to Munich via Belgrade, tennis balls have been flying in all directions this week. The big...
One week before the Madrid Masters and the tennis world continues its tour around the clay courts of Europe. From Estoril to Munich via Belgrade, tennis balls have been flying in all directions this week. The big winner was Juan Martin Del Potro, who confirmed that he’s in rude good health with victory at Estoril, beating the Frenchman Richard Gasquet in the final.
Estoril, Del Potro’s reign continues…
To go two years without reaching a final is a long time in tennis, Richard Gasquet knows it all-too-well. So he made the most of his week in Portugal, taking more than 3 hours to see off Albert Ramos (2-6, 7-6 [1], 7-5) in his semi-final, before going down in the final to Juan Martin Del Potro – the giant Argentine defeated the “Mozart” of French tennis in straight sets (6-4 6-2). Despite a strong start, Gasquet found himself wanting when the heat was on and could only watch as games slipped away from him. With his victory, Del Potro becomes only the third man, after Albert Montanes (2009/10) and Thomas Muster (1995/96) to claim back-to-back titles on the Estoril clay.Highlight Reel
Richard Gasquet is back to being a true tennis player. For proof, look to the highlights of his straight sets quarter-final victory over the Spaniard Munoz-De La Nava. That famous one-handed backhand down the line is still as sharp as ever. http://youtu.be/ha_xMIlMM9QBelgrade: Seppi wins at a canter
Benoît Paire, world number 96 and revelation at this year’s Serbia Open, went down heavily in the final against Andreas Seppi. Likely overcome by the pressure, the young Frenchman, playing in his first ATP tour final, didn’t get a look in against the groundstrokes of the Italian N°1. The final was a brief affair and, despite having served 31 aces up to the final, Paire could did not impress - Seppi easily sent the Frenchman serve on his way to a 6-3, 6-2 victory.Tweet of the week
Serena Williams has a brutal forehand, the mental strength of a superhero and a string of titles to her name. However, the American also has some rather eccentric tastes. On Sunday she showed the twittosphere her choice of…carpet. To each his own… "Serena Williams @serenawilliams Carpet shopping. I've decided on this one". http://www.mobli.com/media/show/id/7003290Munich – Philipp Kohlschrieber is the boss
We would have liked a Tommy Haas victory in Munich following an exceptional run to the semi-final (beating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Marcos Baghdatis en route). However, against the power of Marin Cilic the German went down in two sets (6-3, 6-4). For the Croat it meant his first final in 2012, which was also true for his opponent, another German, Philipp Kohlschreiber. In this clash of the titans, it was Kohlschreiber who imposed his will on the court, running out winner in straight sets (7-6 [8], 6-3) and taking his head-to-head record to 4-3 against the young Croat.In the wake of his barbs, many other players have followed suit