Philipp Kohlschreiber cracks into Top 20 and is enjoying his best season – Tennis Special
German number one, Philipp Kohlschreiber, is enjoying his career best season as he cracked into the Top 20 and captured a title at his home soil.
The 28-year-old started this circuit’s campaign standing at the 43rd spot in the South African Airways ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) World Tour Rankings. He crashed out to Rafael Nadal from the opening round
at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open but quickly recovered in the following tournament he entered in Auckland.
Kohlschreiber cruised into the final four at the Heineken Open (lost to Belgium’s Oliver Rochus). He dumped second seeded Nicolas Almagro in straight sets en route semis. As a result, the German high spiritedly entered the Australian
Open, first of the four Grand Slam events held in Melbourne.
He maintained consistency in his game and stunned 25th seeded Juan Monaco in the opening round. Kohlschreiber then overpowered his remaining rivals before exiting to 11th seeded Juan Martin Del Potro in the
fourth round.
The in-form German made another semi-final appearance at the Open Sud de France in Montpellier in late Jan. Despite exiting from early rounds in the following few tournaments, he made a fitting entry at the BMW Open in Munich.
Kohlschreiber eased past Ernests Gulbis in straight set before crushing the Australian qualifier, Marinko Matosevic, with a bagel in the final eight.
The jubilant German maintained his intensity in the last two rounds and after conquering second seed Feliciano Lopez and third seed Marin Cilic, he captured his fourth career title.
He failed to click in the following clay tournaments but lifted his game in the grass court season at Gerry Weber Open. Kohlschreiber stunned top seeded Rafael Nadal in quarter-final before bowing out to the former world number
two, Tommy Haas, in the last four.
The delighted German held his composure and after securing quarter-final berths at the AEGON International in Eastbourne, Wimbledon Championships and bet-at-home Open, Kohlschreiber high-spiritedly entered the Kitzbuhel ATP event
in late July.
Seeded top in the bet-at-home Cup in Kitzbuhel, Kohlschreiber thundered into the Austrian clay courts and crippled Attila Balazs with a breadstick to reach quarters. He carried his rhythm in the final eight and rallied past Czech
Republic’s Lukas Rosol in a three-set thriller to set up a date with Filippo Volandri.
The German smacked eight aces and broke Volandri’s serve five times to earn the spotlight and secure his second year-to-date final berth.
Kohlschreiber stated after clinching his semi-final clash against the Italian star:
"I knew that at some point this year I could reach the Top 20. It’s great that it will happen now. Tomorrow I play for the trophy. I know that both Haase and Klizan are in a great form and like playing in the altitude."
Despite bowing out to the Dutch number one Robin Haase in three sets in the final showdown, the German veteran climbed seven spots in the ATP rankings after bagging 150 ranking points.
"It's a bit tough right now, but I'm still happy since I reached the Top 20 with my performance this week and I played very well here."
After displaying spectacular skills in Kitzbuhel, the German reached the world number 16 and pocketed €34,080 prize money.
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