Today’s Men’s News (4/14)

Written by: Staff on 14th April 2013

Today's Men's News (4/14)

epa03597323 Spanish tennis player Tommy Robredo returns the ball to his fellow David Ferrer during their semifinals match in the ATP 250 of Buenos Aires Copa Claro held at the Lawn Tenis Club of Buenos Aires, Argentina, 23 February 2013. EPA/Sergio Llamera |

Casablanca

Singles – Final: T Robredo def. (2) K Anderson 7-6(8-6) 4-6 6-3

It took two hours and nineteen minutes, but in the end, clay experience prevailed.

It has been a long wait for Tommy Robredo. His last title was more than two years ago, at Santiago 2011. His last title outside of Latin America came almost five years ago, at Bastad 2008. Based on his post-match comments, it sounds as if he had been wondering about retirement. This may give him something else to think about. And the title brings other rewards. #72 coming in, we show him climbing all the way to #43. He hasn’t been ranked that high since the fall of 2011.

Kevin Anderson still doesn’t have a clay title, but he did reach his first clay final. And he’ll gain a couple of ranking spots. Not a bad week, considering.

Doubles – Final: (1) Knowle/Polasek def. Brown/Kas 6-3 6-2

The very fact that Knowle/Polasek (combined ranking: 65) were the top seeds here shows how weak this draw is. Still, they won. It’s their second title of 2013 (following Zagreb). Pretty good, considering how long Julian Knowle was away from the game! And they also get a bit of revenge — at Doha this year, Knowle/Polasek lost the final to Kas/Kohlschreiber. For Dustin Brown, it was his first final since Kitzbuhel last year. Where he lost to… Cermak/Knowle.

Houston

Singles – Final: (5) J Isner def. (1) N Almagro 6-3 7-5

This definitely files under “who’da thunk it?” Not only did John Isner win a title on clay, he did it with only seven aces. It’s his sixth career title — but his first on clay. He’s now won one or more titles in each of the last four years.

Too bad it doesn’t do him any good in the rankings. He was defending finalist points, so it appears he will remain at #23.

Nicolas Almagro won’t move either; he was #12 win or lose. But he must be getting itchy. He hasn’t won a title since Nice last May. So he’ll go to Monte Carlo tired and jet lagged, but without having put many points in the bank. If he doesn’t get one of the top twelve Roland Garros seeds, this may well be why.

Monte Carlo

Singles – First Round: (16) P Kohlschreiber def. T Bellucci 6-4 6-2

Thomaz Bellucci made the third round last year, so he can forget his Top Forty spot.

Singles – First Round: A Dolgopolov def. B Tomic 6-2 6-4

Bernard Tomic was defending second round points, so this will probably cost him two or three ranking spots. Alexandr Dolgopolov still needs one more win to defend his points.

Singles – First Round: G Dimitrov def. X Malisse 6-3 6-2

The points here are pretty much free for Grigor Dimitrov, who is getting close to the Top Thirty. But Xavier Malisse will remain near — perhaps below — #50.

Doubles – First Round: Simon/Youzhny def. Kubot/Tipsarevic 6-7(4-7) 6-3 10-7

Gilles Simon may regret this — he has a lot of singles points to defend this week and in the two weeks to come.