BIGGEST ATP WORLD TOUR COMEBACKS OF 2014

Written by: Staff on 10th December 2014

Swiss Indoors tennis tournament at the St. Jakobshalle in Basel

BIGGEST ATP WORLD TOUR COMEBACKS OF 2014

epa04457978 Spain's Rafael Nadal returns a ball to France's Pierre-Hugues Herbert during their round of sixteen match at the Swiss Indoors tennis tournament at the St. Jakobshalle in Basel, Switzerland, on Wednesday, October 22, 2014. EPA/GEORGIOS KEFALAS |

( Courtesy of ATP and Original Link: http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2014/12/50/Biggest-ATP-World-Tour-Comebacks.aspx )

5. Martin Klizan d. Rafael Nadal 67(7) 64 63, China Open, Beijing quarter-finals

Down 4-6, 1-5, Martin Klizan was staring down the barrel. It was the first round of qualifying for the China Open; his opponent, World No. 927 Xin Gao. Somehow, the Slovakian cheated death — saving four match points — to ride his way into the main draw. On 3 October, after victories over Leonardo Mayer and Ernests Gulbis, the World No. 56 was still alive. Now he faced Rafael Nadal, who had clinched the gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, at China’s National Tennis Centre.

In a dramatic encounter of twists and turns, Klizan trailed Nadal by a service break in both the second and third sets, but found a way to win 6-7(7), 6-4, 6-3 in two hours and 37 minutes for a place in his first ATP World Tour 500 semi-final. It was Klizan’s third Top 10 win, having beaten No. 12 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga at the 2010 US Open and No. 10-ranked Kei Nishikori at this year’s Roland Garros. Nadal, who was playing in his first tournament for 13 weeks, suffered his first loss to a qualifier for 10 years (Julien Benneteau at 2004 Lyon).

Rafael Nadal (L) of Spain and Martin Klizan (R) of Slovakia greet each other after their men’s singles quarterfinal match in the China Open tennis tournament at the National Tennis Center in Beijing, China 03 October 2014. EPA/ROLEX DELA PENA

“I think my tennis is now great,” said Klizan. “I think I can beat anyone on tour. For me this victory, that was the best night in my life. I’m just very happy that I beat Rafa. He’s a legend. I’m just very happy that I beat a legend.” Klizan’s run ended at the hands of Tomas Berdych in the last four.

4. Gael Monfils d. Paul-Henri Mathieu 36 76(8) 62, BRD Nastase Tiriac Trophy, Bucharest quarter-finals

At his mercurial best Gael Monfils is a sight to behold. His athleticism and elasticity is the envy of the ATP World Tour; his personality shines brightly and his hot shots make him a firm fans’ favourite. At a clay-court tournament named after two of Romania’s finest players: Ilie Nastase and Ion Tiriac, Monfils executed an inspired comeback that encapsulated his flare and an internal mental battle.

On 25 April, ‘Lamonf’ recovered from a 0/5 and 2/6 deficit in the second set tie-break against his French compatriot, qualifier Paul-Henri Mathieu, to win 3-6, 7-6(8), 6-2 for a place in the BRD Nastase Tiriac Trophy semi-finals. In saving six match points, Monfils told ATPWorldTour.com, “I played very poorly today. I was too defensive, but I got lucky. On two or three of the match points he got tight. I am very frustrated. I managed to win, which is the only good point. I did not deserve this match, one of the worst I played this year.”

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3. Roger Federer d. Leonardo Mayer 75 36 76(7), Shanghai Rolex Masters second round

It was the spark that ignited the Shanghai Rolex Masters. Competing for the first time in a month, Roger Federer came face-to-face with a player riding on the crest of a wave. Leonardo Mayer came into the match full of confidence at a career-high No. 25 in the Emirates ATP Rankings, with the Hamburg title in his trophy cabinet. The Argentine led 3-1, 40/15 in the first set and was denied the 61-minute opener when serving for the set at 5-4. He continued to battle and ultimately held two match points at 5-4, 40/15 in the decider. On his first opportunity, Mayer was denied by millimetres when he missed a backhand down the line, after a freakish netcord, with Federer motionless at the net.

Roger Federer of Switzerland reacts during his second round match against Leonardo Mayer of Argentina at the Shanghai Tennis Masters in Shanghai, China, 08 October 2014. EPA/DIEGO AZUBEL

Federer worked his way back from a 2/5 deficit in the tie-break — saving three more match points at 4/6 and 6/7 — to complete a 7-5, 3-6, 7-6(7) second-round victory that lasted two hours and 42 minutes. “I think I got unbelievably lucky today,” said Federer, who went on to call it his “greatest escape thus far”. It was the second-most match points Federer had saved in his career. He saved seven match points in his 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(10) first-round win over Scott Draper at the 2003 Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati.

Federer, who had committed 57 unforced errors, went on to capture the title (d. Simon) and now remains two ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament trophies (Monte-Carlo and Rome) shy of completing a Career Golden Masters.

2. Benjamin Becker d. Jesse Huta Galung 67(4) 63 76(6), PBZ Zagreb Indoors first round

Feeling unwell, Benjamin Becker earned the win the hard way on 3 February. In a first-time meeting against World No. 93 Jesse Huta Galung at the PBZ Zagreb Indoors, the German saved seven match points in a 6-7(4), 6-3, 7-6(6) win over two hours and 22 minutes for a place in the second round.

Huta Galung could not convert two match point opportunities at 5-2 in the third set and 15/40 on Becker’s serve, and then held a further three match points at 5-3, 40/0. The Dutchman then led 5/1 in the deciding set tie-break and squandered two more match points at 6/4. “It was the strangest match I ever played,” admitted Becker.

1. Andy Murray d. Tommy Robredo 36 76(7) 76(8), Valencia Open 500 Final

In the countdown to the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, Andy Murray and Tommy Robredo were fighting for very different reasons. Murray was looking to qualify for the season finale at The O2 in London for the seventh straight year, while Robredo had pride at stake. He was playing in Spain days after his 500th career match win. Oh, and he’d also failed to convert five match points against Murray in the Shenzhen Open final one month earlier.

With just two tournaments left in the regular 2014 ATP World Tour season, Murray laid it all on the line as he battled for three hours and 20 minutes to overcome Robredo 3-6, 7-6(7), 7-6(8) in the longest ATP World Tour final of the season to earn a crucial 500 points in the Emirates ATP Race To London.

Scotish tennis player Andy Murray returns the ball to Spanish Tommy Robredo during their final match for the Valencia Open 500 tennis tournament in Valencia, Spain, 26 October 2014. EPA/KAI FOERSTERLING

Spanish tennis player Tommy Robredo returns the ball to Scotish Andy Murray during during their final match for the Valencia Open 500 tennis tournament in Valencia, Spain, 26 October 2014. EPA/KAI FOERSTERLING

As in Shenzhen on 28 September, Robredo again had chances to close out Murray in the second set, but was denied on two match points in the tie-break as Murray dug deep to force a decider. This time, Robredo went toe-to-toe with Murray until the bitter end. The right-hander let slip a 4-3 break advantage as the match went to another tie-break. Robredo had match points at 6/5, 7/6 and 8/7, but Murray rose to the occasion.

“It was an amazing match, and you have to enjoy it,” said Robredo, who embraced Murray at the net. “When I finish the season next week, and I watch today’s match against one of the best players we have right now, I will be very happy.” Murray, who went on to qualify for the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, admitted, “I know it was an incredible match. The tennis at the end and in the second set was high level.”

Topics: Andy Murray, Atp World Tour, Benjamin Becker, Federer, Gael Monfils, Jesse Huta Galung, Leonardo Mayer, Martin Klizan, Paul Henri Mathieu, Rafa, tennis comebacks, Tommy Robredo