TennisToday

ATP's Weekend Arm Raisers for Feb 26, 2012

ATP 250 Buenos Aires - Final

1 David Ferrer d 2 Nicolas Almagro - 46 63 62

And that's title #13 in a solid career and his 2nd on the year - so far.

David moves his H2H over countryman Nicolas to 9-0.

He'll continue the Golden Swing of South America at Acapulco this week.

ATP 500 Memphis - Final

Jurgen Melzer d 4 Milos Raonic - 75 76(4)

This marks the 4th time Jurgen has lifted an ATP trophy.

He had a remarkable seed-toppling week also downing 1 Isner & 3 Stepanek.

Moving up: The win bumps him 19 placed to #19.

No rest: Jurgen is playing singles and doubles at Delray Beach this week.

I'm exhausted just typing these 4 sentences.

ATP 250 Marseille - Final

4 Juan Martin Del Potro d Michael Llodra - 64 64

DelPo bags career title #10 on the ATP tour.

He will not defend his title at Delray Beach opting instead to play at Dubai.

He's (rightfully) back playing with the big boys.

Photos: Reuters, AP, Reuters

Fernando Verdasco & David Marrero Win Doubles Title in Buenos Aires

The unseeded Spanish team beat (2) Michel Mertinak and Andre Sa - 64 64.

Fern posted this on his Facebook page. I swiped just cuz I think they're cute.

So, there's that.

Nicolas Almagro Wins ATP Title at Buenos Aries

Buenos Aires ATP 250 - Final

1 Nicolas Almagro d Juan Ignacio Chela - 63 36 64

Nico collects his 9th ATP title & 2nd title in 2 weeks, following Brazil Open.

It won't help his ranking any as he'll stay put at #13.

Can he win a for 3rd straight week?

He's heading to Acapulco next week where he's won twice - in '08 & '09.

He'll play Victor Hanescu in the opening round - H2H: 2-0/NA.

Here is a great photo of Nico & Stan Wawrinka during a rain delay...

These guys can't help but compete.

The 3 ATP Titlists from Last Week All Win Tough 2nd Round Matches Today

These boys are breaking the ol' "win one week/lose early the next" curse.

The following are all 2nd round matches moving into the quarterfinals.

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In Memphis last weeks San Jose champion:

W/C Milos Raonic (above) d Radek Stepanek - 64 67(10) 76(1)

I think someone is starting to enjoy the big time.

***

In Marseille last weeks Rotterdam champion:

1 Robin Soderling d W/C Nicolas Mahut - 76(8) 76 (5)

Sets up Qf meeting with defending champ Michael Llodra - H2H: 2-1/ML.

Llodra actual beat Robin in the Qf here last year.

***

In Buenos Aires last weeks Costa do Sauipe champion:

1 Nicloas Almagro d Leonardo Mayer - 67(3) 61 63

Fun fact: Nico is ranked #13 but is only the #4 player from Spain.

Juan Carlos Ferrero Wins ATP 250 Buenos Aires

The old king of clay is suddenly the new king of clay again.

2 Juan Carlos Ferrero d. 1 David Ferrer - 57 64 63

After going titleless for so long Ferrero has just won two-in-a-row.

The win pushes him up 6 spots to number #16.

Ferrero picked up his 14th title - 11th on clay.

Juan Carlos Ferrero: I feel unbelievable after winning two weeks in a row. It is a great feeling. I think the key to my current success is the physical work I have done. I have been working very hard and I know that I can be on the court forever. That helps my game a lot because I get to the ball much earlier and can be more aggressive.

Photo: Reuters

Spaniards Ferrer & Ferrero to Meet in Buenos Aires Final

semifinal result >>> final match - h2h:

1 David Ferrer d. 5 Albert Montanes - 61 61

#301

>>> Ferrer vs Ferrero - h2h 5-1

2 Juan Carlos Ferrero (above) d. 4 Juan Monaco - 62 76(7)

Ferrero with results these days!

Photo: Reuters

 

David Ferrer Joins the '300 Club'

Earlier today David Ferrer scored his 300th win on the ATP tour when he beat Igor Andreev in a rain delayed quarterfinal match in Buenos Aires - 75 62.

The Spaniard is currently ranked #19 but he can boast of a career high of #4 in February of 2008.

His best year was 2007 winning 3 titles. Among other results in '07 he beat Rafael Nadal on his way to the US Open semifinal and went undefeated in round robin play at the Tennis Masters Cup where he lost in the final to Roger Federer.

Ferrer owns 7 titles: 4 on clay, 2 hard and (maybe surprisingly) 1 on grass. He has been on a title drought - he hasn't lifted a trophy since June of '08.

Today the top seed will face fellow Spaniard Albert Montanes for a spot in his 15th final. Chances are he may leave Buenos Aires with 302.

Photo: I shot it in Indian Wells last March.

David Nalbandian Leads Players into Quartfinals in ATP 250 Buenos Aires

Tomorrow's quarterfinal match - head2head > today's results:

1 David Ferrer vs 6 Igor Andreev - h2h 3-4

> Ferrer d. Gil 63 60  - Andreev d. Granollers 36 63 64

***

5 Albert Montanes vs David Nalbandian (above) - h2h 0-4

> Montanes d. Andujar 63 62 - Nalbandian d. Gimeno-Traver 67(5) 64 76(7)

********

8 Horacio Zeballos vs 4 Juan Monaco - h2h 0-1

> Zeballos d. w/c Moya 64 64 - Monaco d. Chela 76(3) 46 62 

***

2 Juan Carlos Ferrero vs Q Santiago Ventura - h2h 0-0

> Ferrero d. Daniel 62 64 - Ventura d. 7 Hanescu 64 76(10)

Photo: Reuters

David Nalbandian Wins 1st Match Back from Surgery

To tell ya the truth I kind of forgot he was gone - but I'm glad he's back.

David Nalbandian finished his rain-delayed match today in his return to the tour in Buenos Aires defeating Potito Starace 62 76(2).

Nalbandian's last match was a 1st round loss in Estoril back in May '09 before being sidelined after hip surgery.

At 28 and currently ranked #140 it feels like a loooooong way back but wouldn't it be nice if he got himself back in the mix? I mean, there are plenty of guys that don't like to see him on the other side of the net - hell, two of them are in the top 3.

I think I'll be keeping an eye on David - hoping for the best.

Photos: Reuters

This Week the ATP Moves to Memphis, Marseilles and Buenos Aires

Marseilles ATP 250 - Top Seeded Players

1. Robin Soderling - Runner-up '04

2. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (above) - Winner '09

3. Gael Monfils - Round of 32 in '05 '06 '06 '09

4. Tommy Robredo - Round of 16 in '02

Memphis ATP 500 - Top Seeded Players

1. Andy Roddick - Winner '02 '09

2. Fernando Verdasco - Debut

3. Radeck Stepanek - Runner-up '09

4. Tommy Hass - Winner '99 '06 '07

Buenos Aires ATP 250 - Top Seeded Players

1. David Ferrer - Quarterfinalist '04

2. Juan Carlos Ferrero - Semifinalist '06

3. Nicolas Almagro - Semifinalist '07

4. Juan Monaco - Winner '07

Photo: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga by Stephan Bollinger