Rusedski Captures Nottingham Title Over Fish, Rubin Wins Eastbourne, Clijsters Gets Handed Dutch Title



Posted on June 23, 2003

ATP REVIEW/PREVIEW
Unseeded Greg Rusedski captured his first title of the year in Nottingham, beating No. 8 Mardy Fish for the title. Rusedski is now 13-11 in finals, and Fish 0-2. "My goal was to get back to tennis and be ready for Wimbledon," Rusedski said. "I didn't think in my wildest dreams I'd win a tournament in my third event back, so for me it's been a great week and nice to win my 13th title. It proves that if I can get to the end I can finally win. That's a great feeling. I felt I could have played better, but I always think there's room for improvement. Fifty-seven minutes is ideal for Saturday with a Monday start going into Wimbledon so today was perfect for me. I couldn't ask for any more. You are always picky as a tennis player no matter what, but for me a perfect day." In the doubles final, (1)Bryan/Bryan beat (3)Eagle/Palmer for their third title of the year.
In the 's-Hertogenbosch semis, (3)Schalken beat countryman Sluiter, and (7)Clement beat Vacek. "I'm very, very happy to be in the final again," said the defending champion Schalken. "It's a confidence boost to beat Raemon Sluiter in straight sets. He is one of the best grasscourts players. We knew each other so good, I was a little bit nervous to play him." Schalken leads the head-to-head with Clement 6-2. The doubles final will be Johnson-Paes versus Damm-Suk.

WTA REVIEW/PREVIEW
Top-seeded Kim Clijsters caught a break and avoided another inevitable choke when countrywoman Justine Henin-Hardenne was forced to retire in the second set of the 's-Hertogenbosch final. Clijsters choked a lead in the first set tiebreak, handing the set to H-H, then H-H retired down 0-3 in the second soon after falling on her hand and spraining her wrist and finger. It was Clijsters fourth title of 2003. "My fingers were hurting a lot and I couldn't be 100% or totally focused on what I had to do," H-H said. "I will go to Wimbledon and try to be ready and hope I will be ready. It's better it happened on my left instead of my right (hand)." In the doubles final, (3)Dementieva/Krasnoroutskaya outlasted Petrova/Pierce in three sets for their first doubles title together.
In Eastbourne, (2)Chanda Rubin outlasted Conchita Martinez in three sets for her first career title defense. "Despite the frustrating start, it was good to get out there," Rubin said. "She's so tough to play and in some ways her spins and slices are tougher on grass. It definitely feels good to come out with a win this week, to be one of the favorites and cope with all of that is a positive step." In the doubles final, (2)Davenport /Raymond cruised past (WC)Capriati/Serna.

TOUR NOTES, QUOTES, AND BARBS
The parade of Wimbledon withdrawals thus far include Anna Kournikova, Monica Seles, Mariana Diaz-Olivia, Anne Kremer, Tatiana Panova, Sarah Taylor, Amelie Mauresmo, Pete Sampras, Tommy Haas, Thomas Johansson, Goran Ivanisevic, Marcelo Rios, Richard Krajicek, Carlos Moya, Al Costa, Alex Corretja, and Magnus Norman...Word from the ATP player meeting last night was that they will boycott Wimbledon 2004 if the Slams don't ante-up more cash. Instead of playing the Championships, the players will partake at a charity event at a site TBA...Wimbedon qualifying ended on-time Friday, for the first time in many years...Lleyton Hewitt was spotted checking out towering first round opponent Ivo Karlovic. The 6'10" Karlovic will be the tallest player to ever compete at Wimbledon...Andy Roddick has leeped up to the second favorite among English bookmakers behind Andre Agassi. Serena and Venus are #1 and #2 on the ladies' side...The Williams sisters were wearing the same outfits -- all white dresses -- while praticing Saturday afternoon.