Ivan Lendl pulls out from Statoil Masters Tennis, Henman and Santoro advances – Tennis News
Former world number one, Ivan Lendl, was forced to withdraw from the Statoil Masters Tennis 2012, an ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) Champions Tour event taking place in London, Great Britain. Elsewhere, Tim Henman and Fabrice Santoro stole the
show and progressed on Wednesday.
The Czechoslovakian-born Lendl was making his debut at the Royal Albert Hall. However, he was forced to retire from this tournament with his knee and hip injury.
Lendl, coach of the British number one and the world number three Andy Murray, stated in a press conference, “I am very disappointed that I will not be fit enough to play in the Statoil Masters Tennis in London. I have been looking forward to playing in
the tournament all year having heard so much about it. For now I will concentrate on fixing and rehabilitating my knee and hip but I hope to be able to play at the Royal Albert Hall in the future.”
In this 16th edition of the tournament, Guy Forget will replace Lendl in Group A of the Legends category. Forget will face off the former world number one John McEnroe in the evening session on Friday. He will then square off against the former
British number one, Jeremy Bates, in the afternoon session on Saturday.
In Group B, former world number one Mats Wilander stomped over Australia’s Pat Cash in a three-set thriller. He made an epic comeback from a set down to manipulate a 4-6, 6-3, 10-6 victory.
Elsewhere, the British legend Tim Henman bounced back to outclass Sweden’s Thomas Enqvist in a repeat of last year’s final showdown.
The Swedish star made a convincing start at these British courts. Enqvist dragged the opening set to a tie-breaker where he prevailed and eventually clobbered a 7-6(4) score line.
However, the Oxford native re-focused his strategy afterwards. He not only pulled out the equaliser after getting the breakthrough near the end but dominated in the Champions’ Tie-Break to formulate a 6-7(4), 6-3, 11-9 victory.
In the afternoon session, the Magician Fabrice Santoro triumphed over Australia’s Mark Philippoussis in straight sets to progress. He warded off early resistance to formulate a 7-6(12), 6-3 score line.
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