Men Tennis Update – Acapulco and Delray Beach Monday, March 4, 2013

Written by: Staff on 3rd March 2013

Men Tennis Update - Acapulco and Delray Beach Monday, March 4, 2013

epa03607615 Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal returns a ball to compatriot David Ferrer during the Mexican Open Tennis Tournament male final match in Acapulco, Mexico, 02 March 2013. EPA/JOSE MENDEZ |

Acapulco

Saturday

Singles – Final: (2) R Nadal def. (1) D Ferrer 6-0 6-2

Defending three-time champion David Ferrer sort of apologized after this was over: “I wish I could have played a better match but I never found my rhythm. You have good days and bad days. Rafa played really well and I couldn’t do much, and never had any chance.” Still, it shows how amazing Rafael Nadal is on clay. He wins his second Acapulco title — and his second title in three events in his comeback. And he may not be done; he has now promised to play Indian Wells at least.

In the short term, this doesn’t change things much; Ferrer remains at #4 and Nadal at #5. But this is the first time this year that Ferrer has failed in a title defense, so he loses a little ground. And Nadal gains significantly. The gap between the two Spaniards is now only about 400 points. Nadal could regain #4 at Indian Wells.

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

Saturday

Singles – Semifinal: E Roger-Vasselin def. (1) J Isner 6-4 4-6 6-4

It really seems as if John Isner still isn’t quite right. There are too many matches like this one where something goes a little haywire. He defended his points, although it hardly matters since they didn’t count for him anyway, but he loses any chance to add to his total. He will remain #15.

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….

Sunday:

Singles – Final: (Q) E Gulbis def. E Roger-Vasselin 7-6(7-3) 6-3

The first set of this was an hour-long nailbiter. Then, having won it, Ernests Gulbis seemed to settle down and get cranking.

It is his third career title, and the first title he has won more than once (he won Delray Beach in 2010 and Los Angeles in 2011). He is now 3-0 in finals — 5-0 if you count his two doubles titles. It’s the early rounds that get to him, it seems….

This really is proving a comeback year for him. #109 coming in (five spots below Edouard Roger-Vasselin), he increases his point total by more than half, which should take him to just below #60. And consider this: He had only twelve ATP wins last year. This year, he already has seven….

Edouard Roger-Vasselin is still looking for his first singles title, but he did at least reach his first final. That should take him to around #80. Which has major benefits. Starting with the fact that he shouldn’t have to worry about making it into the Slams for the rest of the year.

Doubles – Final: (WC) Blake/Sock def. (1) Mirnyi/Tecau 6-4 6-4

Be it noted that Mirnyi/Tecau are a new team, and may still be adjusting to playing together. They have yet to win a title together; indeed, Tecau hasn’t won a title since Cincinnati, and Mirnyi hasn’t won since Queen’s. Still, it’s pretty stunning. James Blake picks up career doubles title #7; Jack Sock his first ATP title of any kind. He had one final — Memphis this year, with Blake. Blake now has two doubles titles in the last year (he also won Houston with Querrey) after an eight year blank spell (his last title before that was Munich 2004 with Merklein). Considering Jack Sock’s lack of experience, they’re proving to be a pretty impressive team!

©Daily tennis news wire

Topics: Acapulco, David Ferre, David Marrero, Delray Beach, Rafael Nadal, Sports, Tennis, Tennis News

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