Haase Has Done Well In The Mountains

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 30th July 2013

Haase Has Done Well In The Mountains

epa03804910 Robin Haase of the Netherlands reacts during the final game against Mikhail Youzhny of Russia at the Suisse Open tennis tournament in Gstaad, Switzerland, 28 July 2013. EPA/PETER KLAUNZER |

Holland’s “mountain man” Robin Haase has gone down to defeat in a tournament final in the Alps, a 6-3, 6-4 victim of Mikhail Youzhny.

Altitude has been a friend for several seasons to flatlander Haase, who is this week bidding for claim a hat-trick of trophies in the Australian Alps at the famed ski resort of Kitzbuehel. He has won that ATP 250 clay event for the past two editions, the only titles so far of his career.

Haase is not sure how he has done so well in the mountains, especially after feeling poorly before the start of Gstaad, which had featured the dynamic Swiss duo of Roger Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka, both early losers to back problems.

“I’ve had my biggest success in the mountains so far,” said Haase, ranked 57th . “It’s not a coincidence since I also played well in Madrid (also in altitude). I’m really confident with both my serve and my return and that helps a lot,” said the finalist. “Altitude fits my game and that I can handle it well.”

Haase credited his coach, with whom he began working in December. “We changed a lot of things and often it was not easy. But the results are starting to come and I’m sure we will have more success.”

Crowds who had sold out the event weeks ago still fronted up, with the final played to a full house despite the absence of the Swiss drawcards.