FOUR FAN FAVOURITES LOCKED IN FOR FINAL DAY – AAMI Classic

Written by: Staff on 9th January 2013

FOUR FAN FAVOURITES LOCKED IN FOR FINAL DAY - AAMI Classic

epa03467302 Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina returns to Novak Djokovic of Serbia during a ATP World Tour tennis semi final match at the O2 Arena in London, Britain, 11 November 2012. EPA/ANDY RAIN |

Celebrating its 25th Anniversary, the 2013 AAMI Classic at Kooyong put on a show with two tight tie-breakers tantalising fans in tough contests to open play on Day 1. Back-to-back three set matches featured some gripping tennis in what were deceivingly difficult conditions. While fans appreciated a mild break in the nationwide heatwave, players battled a swirling breeze on court making for an enthralling exhibition of tactical game play and an impressive array of strokes.

The first match saw JUAN MARTIN DEL POTRO (ARG) overcome PAUL-HENRI MATHIEU (FRA) 6/4 3/6 7/6 (3), eventually proving too strong for the Frenchman in a hard fought win. In his post-match interview, Del Potro conceded that “it was really, really tight” and added: “I think here is a really good chance to prepare and play big matches before the Open”.

LLEYTON HEWITT (AUS) proved the obvious crowd favourite, beating Canadian rising star MILOS RAONIC (CAN) 6/3 1/6 7/6 (4). After the match, Hewitt relayed: “It’s really tough, you know, with the wind… so a lot of it’s sort of playing percentage tennis out there, but also yes, you’ve got to hit your shots and good movement and mental toughness, I guess, as well.” Hewitt looks fresh and fit as he sets his sights on a second AAMI Classic championship noting: “For me mentally there’s no stress or extra pressure about my body at the moment which just leaves me with a clear mind.”

The third match of the day was a brisk affair which saw MARCOS BAGHDATIS (CYP) race away to a 6/1 advantage before JANKO TIPSAREVIC (SER) retired with a tendon injury in his right arm at 1/0 in the second set, having won the first 6/1. Baghdatis now advances on the winning side of the draw.

The final match of the day served up another tight tussle and assured fans were thoroughly entertained well into the afternoon. Croatian IVAN DODIG, replacement for KEI NISHIKORI (JAP), took the fight up to TOMAS BERDYCH (CZE) in the first set before Berdych hit his stride winning in three, 4/6, 6/2, 6/3.

Looking ahead to Thursday, the clash between Hewitt and Berdych headlines a triple-header of AAMI Classic action.

Schedule of Play:

Thursday, January 10, 2013

11:00am

MIILOS RAONIC (CAN) v IVAN DODIG (CRO)

Followed by:

LLEYTON HEWITT (AUS) v TOMAS BERDYCH (CZE)

Followed by:

PAUL-HENRI MATHIEU (FRA) v SIMONE BOLLELLI (ITA) replacement for Janko Tipsarevic

Topics: Aami Classic, Janko Tipsarevic, Juan Martin Del Potro, Kooyong tennis news, Lleyton Hewitt, Marcos Baghdatis, milos raonic, Paul Henri Mathieu, Sports, Tennis News