Brian Baker enjoyed his breakthrough season in 2012 – Tennis Special
America’s Brian Baker started his 2012 campaign standing outside Top 350. However, with his spectacular display of tennis, the American climbed to his career best rank at number 52 in the South African Airways ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) World
Tour Rankings and reached the second week at the Wimbledon Championships, third of the four Grand Slam events taking place in London, England.
The American rising star started his 2012 campaign standing around 400 in the ATP World Tour Rankings. However, with his spectacular displayed of power tennis at the Savannah Challenger and the Open de Nice, Baker cracked the Top 200. He made into the final
showdown in Nice before bowing out to the Spanish number three, Nicolas Almagro, in brutal straight sets.
Baker then kept his momentum running at the Wimbledon Championships and after making a fourth round showing, the American climbed to number 79 in the ATP World Tour Rankings.
The 27-year-old stated that cruising to the second week at the Wimbledon Championships was the highlight of his career. He also credited his Savannah performances and commented that he found his rhythm playing there. The American reflected about his 2012
performances,
“Last year was a really interesting year. I had a really unbelievable European summer where I had two really good events at Nice and at Wimbledon where I beat a lot of guys top 50 and beat a ton of guys top 100. I don't feel like I played quite as well against
the top level after that time. I had a couple of good wins here and there, but I wasn't as consistent. Some of that was you know you're not going to sneak up on anybody any more. People know that you are playing well and that they have to play a good match
to beat you.”
Baker is looking forward to re-kindle his spark in Australia. He will play at the Brisbane International, an opening ATP World Tour event held in the first week of January. The veteran is also scheduled to play at the Heineken Open in Auckland before entering
the Australian Open, first of the four Grand Slam events.
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