Men Tennis Update – Dubai,Acapulco, and Delray Beach Sunday, March 3, 2013

Written by: Staff on 2nd March 2013

Men Tennis Update - Dubai,Acapulco, and Delray Beach Sunday, March 3, 2013

epa03606126 Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic returns the ball to Roger Federer of Switzerland during the semi final of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis ATP Championships in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 01 March 2013. EPA/ALI HAIDER |

Dubai

Singles – Final: (1) N Djokovic def. (3) T Berdych 7-5 6-3

This was oh so typical. Tomas Berdych went up an early break in the first set — and then started to lost his grip, eventually giving Novak Djokovic two straight errors that set up the break point that cost him the set. It was pretty smooth sailing for Djokovic after that. It’s career title #36 for Djokovic, and his second of the year. He hasn’t lost a match since Paris. Given how strong this event was, we’d say he’s won the two toughest tournaments of 2013 so far. He of course strengthens his grip on #1.

Tomas Berdych very slightly strengthens his grip on #6. But he’ll be vulnerable at Indian Wells. And he is still looking for title #1 of 2013.

Doubles – Final: Bhupathi/Llodra def. (3) Lindstedt/Zimonjic 7-6(8-6) 7-6(8-6)

An interesting set of finalists, since they all have such complicated histories. And an interesting result on other grounds. Michael Llodra, who wins his second title of the year, continues to creep up toward Guy Forget’s career doubles haul. And Mahesh Bhupathi, who earns career title #52, works toward a different sort of record. This is his first title of 2013, and it means that he has now won a title in every year since 1997 (including this title five times, with five different partners). Llodra is the 14th member of the A-Z set of partner with whom he has won a title: Ancic, Bjorkman, Bopanna, Bryan, Gambill, Knowles, Kratzmann, Llodra, Mirnyi, Paes, Santoro, Vizner, Woodbridge, Zimonjic. It almost makes you wonder who is left to play with….

Acapulco

Friday

Singles – Semifinal (1) D Ferrer def. F Fognini 6-3 6-7(5-7) 6-1

David Ferrer has had some scary moments in the last two weeks, but he has always come through. He leaves Fabio Fognini probably #36.

Singles – Semifinal (2) R Nadal def. (3) N Almagro 7-5 6-4

This is probably the most promising result yet for Rafael Nadal. You don’t just casually beat Nicolas Almagro on clay! Almagro will be #11. And Nadal will be #5 no matter what the outcome of the final — but we’ll get to see who really is Spain’s #1 right now.

Doubles – Semifinal: Bolelli/Fognini def. (1) Peya/Soares 2-6 7-6(7-4) 10-3

Doubles – Semifinal: (2) Kubot/Marrero def. Bellucci/Lorenzi 6-1 6-2

Saturday (So Far)

Doubles – Final: (2) Kubot/Marrero def. Bolelli/Fognini 7-5 6-2

It was quite a run for Bolelli/Fognini — they won Buenos Aires and then made the final here. But they’re mostly singles players, and David Marrero is a doubles specialist and Lukasz Kubot has also done better in doubles than singles. It’s the first title for Marrero since Hamburg last July; Kubot picks up his first title since Stuttgart.

Delray Beach

Friday

Singles – Quarterfinal: (1) J Isner def. (6) K Anderson 6-2 7-6(7-1)

A tough result for Kevin Anderson, last year’s champion. He will fall to around #37, which obviously is bad news for his seeding prospects over the next few weeks and months.

Singles – Quarterfinal: (2) T Haas def. I Dodig 7-6(8-6) 2-6 6-1

No move yet for Tommy Haas, and he used up a lot of energy here, but if he can win one more, he’ll rise to #18.

Singles – Quarterfinal: (Q) E Gulbis def. (Q) D Munoz-de la Nava 6-1 6-4

This should definitely put Ernests Gulbis back in the Top Hundred. Whether he can maintain this form is, of course, another matter.

Singles – Quarterfinal: E Roger-Vasselin def. (LL) R Berankis 6-4 6-3

Even though Ricardas Berankis was in the qualifying here, this is actually an upset; Berankis came in at #87, Edouard Roger-Vasselin #105. Of course, Roger-Vasselin will be Top Hundred after this.

Doubles – Quarterfinal: (1) Mirnyi/Tecau def. Malisse/Moser 6-0 6-4

Doubles – Quarterfinal: (4) Brunstrom/Klaasen def. (PR) Levinsky/Lu 7-5 6-1

Doubles – Quarterfinal: (WC) Blake/Sock def. (Alt) Berankis/Donskoy 6-2 6-1

Doubles – Quarterfinal: Brown/Kas def. Begemann/Emmrich 6-4 3-6 10-5

Saturday (So Far):

Singles – Semifinal: (Q) E Gulbis def. (2) T Haas 6-3 4-6 7-6(7-2)

What can we say except that Ernests Gulbis is still Ernests Gulbis? Intermittently brilliant, otherwise lousy. And this is one of his brilliant weeks. He has increased his point total by almost a third, and will rise from #109 to probably slightly above #80. He leaves Tommy Haas still at #19.

Doubles – Semifinal: (1) Mirnyi/Tecau def. (4) Brunstrom/Klaasen 7-6(7-4) 6-4

Doubles – Semifinal: (WC) Blake/Sock def. Brown/Kas 6-2 7-5

By the looks of things, James Blake should be playing more doubles. If this is what he does with an inexperienced partner, think what he could do with the right guy….

©Daily tennis news wire

Topics: Acapulco, David Ferrer, Delray Beach, Dubai, men tennis news, Novak Djokovic, Sports, Tennis, Tomas Berdych