Michael Llodra; A look at BNP Paribas Masters quarterfinalist in 2010
Born on May 18, 1980 in the city of Paris, Michael Llodra is a professional tennis player from France. The 30-year-old Llodra registered his name as the Grand Slam doubles winner when he captured the Australian Open doubles title back in 2003 and the following year as well. He also won the Wimbledon doubles crown back in 2007.
He is one of the last remaining serve and volleyers among the top ranked players on the tour and has also been named as the best serve and volleyer in the world by a website, called ‘Essential Tennis’.
After making his debut on the ATP World Tour back in 1999, the professional tennis ace from France, Michael Llodra made his way into his first Grand Slam final, the Australian Open Men’s doubles along with his partner Fabrice Santoro back in 2002. However, they were toppled by Daniel Nestor and Mark Knowles in straight sets.
The next year, the Frenchman who is currently ranked number 34 in the South African Airways ATP list captured his first major crown; the Australian Open Men’s doubles title along with his partner Fabrice Santoro. Their foes in the title battle were once again Nestor and Knowles.
On successfully defending the Australian Open Men’s doubles crown, back in 2004, Michael and his partner Santoro made headlines by stripping off their shirts, shorts, socks and shoes.
The left-hander made his first appearance in the round of sixteen at a Grand Slam event back in 2004 at Roland Garros. In the fourth round, Llodra, however, was toppled by Tim Henman in a hard fought battle. Just two weeks later, he captured his first ATP singles crown at 's-Hertogenbosch.
The fourth highest ranked tennis star from France started his 2010 campaign with first round defeats in Brisbane and Sydney, both Australian Open series competitions. At the year’s opening Grand Slam tournament, the Australian Open in Melbourne, Michael could not even win his opening round match as he was overpowered by Juan Monaco in a five-setter epic. The final match score was 6-3, 6-3, 6-7(5), 1-6, 3-6.
Michael later suffered another opening round loss in Rotterdam at the hands of Marco Chiudinelli. Just a week later, the left-hander impressively captured the 2010 Open 13 crown in Marseille. He got the better of two well-known contenders on the rise; the seventh ranked Marcos Baghdatis in the second round and world number five Robin Soderling on his way to his title victory.
In the final, the Frenchman brushed aside Julien Benneteau in two sets in the pair’s first ever clash on the ATP World Tour. The final match score was 6-3, 6-4.
Llodra next competed in Eastbourne and successfully made his way into the title battle where he faced Guillermo Garcia-Lopez. The Frenchman did well to oust Lopez in two sets to lift his second crown of the season. The final score line was 7-5, 6-2.
At the French Open Men’s singles competition in Roland Garros, Llodra was bundled out in the opening round, followed by his second round loss in Wimbledon at the hands of world number eight Andy Roddick in four sets.
The 1.90 meters tall who achieved his career high ranking of world number 28 back in September this season could not go beyond the third round at the United States Open as he retired in his clash versus Tommy Robredo due to injury after posting impressive victory against the seventh seed Tomas Berdych in the first round in New York.
He is currently playing at the PNB Paribas Masters Men’s singles competition in Paris and has reached the quarterfinal round where the Frenchman will meet Nikolay Davydenko for a final four berth in Bercy.
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