Today’s Men’s News (11/05) – Paris

Written by: Staff on 5th November 2012

BNP Paribas 2012 Masters Tennis Tournament

Today's Men's News (11/05) - Paris

epa03457952 David Ferrer of Spain returns the ball to Jerzy Janowicz of Poland during their final match at the BNP Paribas 2012 Masters tennis tournament in Paris, France, 04 November 2012. EPA/YOAN VALAT |

Paris

Singles – Final: (4) D Ferrer def (Q) J Janowicz 6-4 6-3

Finally David Ferrer wins the big one.

It wasn’t easy, either, at least at first. There was only one break point in the first eight games, and it was against Ferrer. (He saved it.) But in the tenth game of the first set, at deuce, Jerzy Janowicz double-faulted, then hit an error, and that was the set. And, in the second, it looked as if Ferrer’s speed was intimidating the youngster; Janowicz was going for too much, and Ferrer just waited him out.

It is title #7 of the year for Ferrer, the most of his career. He has won seven of his eight finals this year! But the really noteworthy thing is, it’s his first Masters title. He of course has suffered the horrid problem of being #5 in a universe of four great players. And, even with seven titles, he remains stuck at #5. But he is a very strong #5. Tomas Berdych can no longer pass him; Ferrer will be at least #5 at year-end, and he’s less than 800 points behind Rafael Nadal. So he could still end the year at #4 if he can make the London final. A tall order, to be sure. But Ferrer was 68-14 this year (83%), and his indoor record was 12-1, and he won his last ten indoor matches! Maybe a final isn’t so unlikely after all.

Jerzy Janowicz fails to win his first title, but he earned his first final at a very big event, and is now 9-4 this year (he had never won a match at the ATP level before this year). Of his nine wins, five have been over Top Twenty players — Murray, Tipsarevic, Cilic, Kohlschreiber, and Simon. He’ll be hitting the Top Thirty, and will be seeded at the Australian Open. He seems sure, barring injury, to go higher.

Doubles – Final: (5) Bhupathi/Bopanna def. (7) Qureshi/Rojer 7-6(8-6) 6-3

Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna really were saving the best for last. They had only one other title together (Dubai 2012), but now, they finally have a big one. And, of course, by doing so well here, they qualified for London. But, more than that, they dramatically improved their positions for next year. They came in at #8 in the Race. They come out at #5:

1..Bryan/Bryan…………. 9495..CLINCHED

2..Mirnyi/Nestor……….. 6675..CLINCHED

3..Paes/Stepanek……….. 6265..CLINCHED

4..Lindstedt/Tecau……… 5975..CLINCHED

5..Bhupathi/Bopanna………4455..CLINCHED

6..Granollers/M Lopez…….4360..CLINCHED

7..Qureshi/Rojer……….. 4115..CLINCHED

8..Fyrstenberg/Matkowski… 3690..OUT

9..Fleming/Hutchins………2420..OUT

10..Marrero/Verdasco………2260..OUT

11..Marray/Nielsen………..2180..CLINCHED

To be sure, it probably helped to be facing Qureshi/Rojer, who still haven’t won anything bigger than a 250. But at least they too will be going to London. So we just might see a rematch between these two teams next weekend also.