Brian Baker's great moments of 2012 – Tennis Special
American star, Brian Baker, had several great moments in his 2012 campaign. However, reaching the second week at the Wimbledon Championships, making into the final showdown at the Open de Nice and capturing the title at the Savannah Challenger were some
of his most special moments.
The American veteran played maximum number of matches in his 2012 campaign as he was ruled out from several tournaments with injuries for the past seven years. He was standing at number 386 when he played his first tournament of the season at the Dallas
Challenger. Baker lost in the opening round and carried his drastic form at the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships. He exited from the qualifying competition and did not find his rhythm until he decided to participate at the Savannah Challenger.
Baker cruised past his rivals in straight sets to book a spot in the main draw. He stunned third seed Michael Russell in the opening round after losing his only set at this tournament here. The American went berserk after that and crippled his wild card
compatriot, Robert Kendrick, with a breadstick to reach quarters. He maintained his intensity and eased past Robby Ginepri in straight sets before reaching semis. Baker crushed his fellow qualifier, Blake Strode, with double breadsticks before trouncing over
France’s Augustin Gensse to capture the title. As a result, he gained confidence boost and received a wild card for the Roland Garros.
The American challenger then went berserk at the Open de Nice. He triumphed over his opponents without losing a set to secure a spot in the main draw. Baker maintained consistency in his game and eventually overpowered his entire opponents. He stunned fourth
seeded Gael Monfils in straight sets en route to the final showdown.
The 27-year-old high-spiritedly entered the French Open and dumped Xavier Malisse to reach the second round. He then bowed out to 11th seed Gilles Simon in a five-set thriller and cracked the Top 150.
The American contestant unleashed his skills at the All England Lawn Tennis and after stomping over his opponents in the qualifying competition, he booked a place in the main draw. Baker eased past his opponents before losing to 27th seed Philipp
Kohlschreiber in the fourth round.
Baker commented when asked which one of the great 2012 moments stick out as most special, “Obviously you can't take away the Wimbledon second week. That's always going to shine a little bit more than the others, but I was pretty excited when I won my semifinal
match in the Savannah Challenger that guaranteed me the wild card into the French, because that was kind of the start of everything. Nice was unbelievable as well and getting to play on Chatrier at the French Open second round, playing a five-setter against
Gilles Simon, that was awesome, too.”
The American lost his form after that but managed to reach the second round at the US Open as well.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the writer's own and in no way represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.
Tags: