Ivanisevic Beats Bruguera on Clay at Seniors Graz

Sergi Bruguera’s 16-match winning streak finally came to an end when he was beaten 6-4, 6-2 by an inspired Goran Ivanisevic at the s Tennis Masters in Graz-Reininghaus, Austria on Wednesday.
 
Bruguera has built a huge lead at the top of the South African Airways Champions Tour Rankings after consecutive wins in Barcelona, Rome, Hamburg and Algarve, but he was overwhelmed on his favourite surface by the big-serving Croatian.

 
“It’s my best match since Wimbledon in 2001, and by far my best match on the BlackRock Tour of Champions,” said Ivanisevic.
 
“To beat Sergi on any surface is tough, especially after his 16-0 record, but to beat him on clay is incredible. It’s unbelievable. I can’t believe the way I played.”
 
Ivanisevic broke Bruguera in the fifth game of the first set to go 3-2 up, then served out to take the set.
 
Bruguera led the second 2-1 but and inspired Ivanisevic won five successive games to take the match.
 
“I couldn’t do anything,” said Bruguera.
 
“Goran played at an unbelievable level. He was serving better than normal and every time he hit winners from the baseline. I cannot be disappointed. I won the last four tournaments I’ve played. I’m playing great tennis and enjoying it, but Goran is the guy who hits hardest by far. Today he had a better serve than all the players on the regular ATP circuit. Better than Ljubicic, Federer, everyone.”
 
Local hero Thomas Muster started his home campaign with a 6-3, 7-5 win over Carl Uwe Steeb and faces Stich tomorrow in a key match for the group.
 
“It’s going to be quite an emotional match,” said Muster.
 
“About 13 years ago we had a really rough Davis Cup match, lasting over five hours. He is going to put everything into the match and so will I. The crowd will be on my side and neither Michael nor me want to lose. If he is serving well it’s going to be difficult. I think it will be a key match to win the group.”