Sam Querrey Has Top 20 Ranking in His Sights

Written by: Staff on 30th July 2012

Sam Querrey Has Top 20 Ranking in His Sights |

Sam Querrey is eyeing a possible return to the Top 20 and a US Open seeding dream after lifting his ranking from 57th to 37th by winning this third straight title at the farmers Classic in Los Angeles . The Californian also came close to setting an ATP record with his 6-0, 6-2 defeat of Lithuanian qualifier Ricardas Berankis.

A 0-0 result would have been the first ever recorded in an ATP final. As it was, Querrey joined Jimmy Connors, Andre Agassi and Arthur Ashe as a three-time LA winner and also set a new tournament mark for the least games lost in a final. The previous best was three from Connors 30 years ago.

Trailing 6-0, 3-0, No. 141 Berankis suddenly managed to bury his nerves in the first-ever final for a Lithuanian player, winning a game to save his pride and earning one more before going down to defeat in 51 minutes.

Those games last-chance wins prevented the shutout. But Querrey still set an LA record, losing the least number of games in a final in the event’s nearly 90-year history. The previous best was three lost by Jimmy Connors in 1982.

“I feel like I always play well here,” said Querrey, who claimed his seventh career trophy in a mere 51 minutes. “When I was up 6-0, 3-0, I knew that I would not just cruise for three more games. I knew there would be some tough moments. I got through some tight points with my serve and won them.”

The big hitter hopes to carry his momentum forward into this week’s Washington event. “I just want to keep this up and keep playing well this summer. I want to keep it going. I’m gonna try to continue and ride the train and play well through the US Open. I want to be seeded there.

“I’d also love to get back into the top 20. My goal is to stay injury-free, and I’m feeling great right now.”

Topics: 10sballs.com, American tennis news, Farmers Classic 2012, Ricardas Berankis, Sam Querrey, Sports, US Open 2012