Tennis Update: German Tommy Haas to make comeback
Formerly ranked no. 2 in the World, Tommy Haas of Germany is expected to make a return after having undergone surgery on his right arm earlier this year. The professional has however communicated that he will not be able to play the 2011 Australian Open.
"It is too early for me to come back, but I assure you my daughter will see her dad play tennis," stated Haas.
Prior to his injury, Tommy made it through to the semifinals of the Australian Open on three occassions. In the year 1999, Haas was opposed by Russia's Yevgeny Kafelnikov in the semifinals of the championship. Kafelnikov initiated the match with a 6-3 win and
went on to take the remaining two sets 6-4 and 7-5 to eliminate Tommy from the tournament.
Additionally, the Russian defeated Swede Thomas Enqvist 4-6, 6-0, 6-3 and 7-6 to clinch the championship title. Three years down the line, Tommy faced former World no. 1 Marat Safin of Russia in the semifinals of the 2002 Australian Open in the Men's singles
category.
Seeded no. 7 at the tournament, Haas got off to a good start taking the first set 7-6. However, in a reverse of fortune, the professional was beaten 7-6 in the second. Tommy bounced back in the third set only to take it 6-3. Safin nevertheless, brought a close
to the five set tussle taking the remaining two sets 6-0 and 6-2 to proceed to the championship final.
Safin was opposed by Sweden's Thomas Johansson in the final. Johansson thrashed Marat 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 and 7-6 to take the 2002 Australian Open Men's singles title.
In 2007, Haas went head to head with Chile's Fernando Gonzalez in the semifinals of the Australian Open. Gonzalez took the match based upon a 6-1, 6-3, 6-1, straight set win to proceed to the finals. Fernando lost 6-7, 4-6 and 4-6 to Swiss man Roger Federer
in the championship final.
The last time Haas played at the Australian Open was this year. Unfortunately, the professional failed to make it past the fourth round as he was defeated 6-4, 3-6, 6-1 and 7-5 by Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
Additionally, in spite of the fact that Haas will dismally be unable to be part of the 2011 Australian Open, the professional is expected to make a return in the near future and not put an end to his career.
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