Guillermo Garcia-Lopez captures Tennis Thailand Open crown
World number fifty three Guillermo Garcia Lopez won the 2010 Thailand Open Men’s title after getting the better of Jarkko Nieminen in a three-setter clash on Sunday. The final match score was 6-4, 3-6, 6-4.
On his way into the finals, the professional tennis player from Spain thrashed out the Ernests Gulbis as well as Michael Berrer, before preventing a staggering twenty four of twenty six break points to brush aside the world number one Rafael Nadal in the
final four on Saturday. He was the first contender ranked outside the top fifty to defeat Rafael since the world number 106 Nicolas Mahut who got the better of Mallorcan at the Queen’s club back in 2007 during the month of June.
As champion of the ATP World Tour 250 hard-court tennis competition, Guillermo received 250 South African Airways 2010 ATP Ranking points along with the prize money of $99,725 on Sunday.
“It has been an unbelievable week for me, from the first round to the final. Every match is different. I think I played relaxed, enjoyed my game and everything was perfect. It is hard to express what it means, I am really happy inside,” said Guillermo after
clinching the title in Bangkok.
While commenting on Jarkko’s game, the Spaniard added, "Jarkko played an unbelievable tournament. The score of the match, 6-4 in the third, shows that it was a tough match today. He had a lot of break points in the first set and didn't take his opportunities.
I took the only break point I had in the first set. And then I played good in the third set and I think he was a bit nervous at 4-5 in the third."
After missing a 3-1 lead in the decisive set, Guillermo was then denied on several match points on Jarkko’s serve during the tenth game as the Finn came up with the answers at the net. Guillermo persevered, though, and at last sealed win with the help of
his forehand passing shot.
Garcia-Lopez is the eighth player from Spain to capture an ATP World Tour crown this year, meaning that the Spain is now 18-8 in tour level finals in 2010. The Albacete native was competing in his second title battle of the year, having ended as finalist
to Michael Llodra in Eastbourne. He grabbed his first ATP World Tour crown on clay after defeating Benneteau in Kitzbuhel.
The 27-year-old, who was also a semi-finalist in Estoril as well as a quarterfinalist in Casablanca in 2010, will climb to around number forty in the ATP World rankings as a result of this victory in Bangkok. He achieved his career high ranking of world
number 38 earlier in May.
World number sixty, Jarkko had also recorded impressive wins on his way to the final, accounting for seventh seed and 2009 runner up Viktor Troicki as well as the third seed Melzer. The 29-year-old dropped to a career mark of 1-9 in ATP World Tour finals.
He was playing in his first final since ending as a finalist to David Nalbandian towards the start of the year in Sydney and was attempting to add to the only piece of silverware he captured in Auckland after getting the better of Mario Ancic back in 2006.
“I had a great week. I had some chances in the first set but he came up with some great points. He lifted his game again in the third set. I gave everything and it was not enough for me today. I really enjoy coming here, the people are so positive; it has
been a great atmosphere all week,” reflected Jarkko on Sunday.
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