Lopez, Cilic, Bellucci Win ATP Titles
SA Tennis Open
Johannesburg, South Africa
Spanish mirror-gazer Spaniard Feliciano “F-Lo” Lopez won his first title since 2004 on Sunday in Johannesburg, beating first-time French finalist Stephane Robert 7-5, 6-1 in the final of the SA Tennis Open. Lopez threw down 11 aces and faced no break points in the contest. “I was nervous a little bit, to be honest,” F-Lo said. “I had too many opportunities, every game he was serving I had break point and that made me feel a little bit nervous because I couldn’t convert the chances and you never know what�s going to happen later.”
Lopez struggled with his breathing during the first few rounds in the high altitude of Johannesburg, eventually upping his record in career finals to 2-4. The 29-year-old Robert had never before reached a tour quarterfinal, beating No. 2 seed David Ferrer in the semifinals in his first career match against a Top 20-ranked player.
PBZ Zagreb Indoors
Zagreb, Croatia
Marin Cilic successfully defended his Zagreb title and his new Top 10 standing on Sunday, beating first-time finalist Michael Berrer 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-3. It was his second title of the year and fifth of his career.
“I did not have much time to adjust after the Australian Open; it was not easy to meet people’s expectations. I am proud about what I’ve done,” Cilic said. “I have played lot of matches this year, but it was also mentally tough. Now I can relax.”
Movistar Open
Santiago, Chile
No. 3 seed Thomaz Bellucci defeated No. 2 seed Juan Monaco 6-2, 0-6, 6-4 on Sunday in the final of the Movistar Open
Bellucci beat defending champ and No. 1 seed Fernando Gonzalez in the semifinal. “Gonzalez is a very good player, an idol in Chile, and to beat him here gives me a lot of confidence for tomorrow and the rest of the reason,” Bellucci said after the semifinal win. Monaco fell to 3-7 in career finals. Bellucci improved to 2-1 in career finals.
Also Check Out:
Previews: ATP Zagreb, Joburg, Santiago; Fed Cup
Federer v Nadal in Doha; Brisbane, Chennai, ATP Previews
Roddick Leads San Jose, Djokovic in Rotterdam; ATP Previews
Murray, Roddick, Hewitt Star at ATP Queen’s
Blake Loses Five-Set Marathon to Del Potro in Oz
