Tommy Robredo topples Kevin Anderson to grab the title – Grand Prix Hassan II 2013
Former world number five, Tommy Robredo, got the better of the South African number one, Kevin Anderson, in a three set thriller at the Grand Prix Hassan II 2013 on Sunday. He summed up a 7-6(6), 4-6, 6-3 victory against Anderson to shelve his 10th
clay court title at this event.
The Spanish veteran lost his path in the second set. However, he remained focused and eventually carved out the victory in two hours and 19 minutes. Both contestants were squaring off each other for the first time and after earning this glory, Robredo pocketed
the prize money and 205 Emirates Airways ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) World Tour Rankings points.
The Spanish star was quoted in an interview after winning the title:
“I have been practising very well during a month in Barcelona before coming here. I knew that I could play a good tournament here and you never know what can happen. I went match by match and kept winning. Today, I was pretty nervous since this is very important
for me. I really wanted to win this. I'm very happy to win a title again after my injury. It's just great! Those points will help me a lot in the ranking. The goal is to arrive in Roland Garros in the best form possible.”
In the opening set both challengers unleashed their best tennis. Robredo suffered the first blow in the second game and went 0-3 down. However, he snatched his break back in the seventh game and dragged the set to a tie-breaker. The Spaniard prevailed in
it and eventually clicked the opener with a 7-6(6) win.
Seeded second in this event, Anderson rebounded in the proceeding set. He got the desiderated break in the opening game and took the initial lead. The South African held his composure and slid his entire serves, eventually grabbing the equaliser by winning
six games to four.
Currently ranked 72nd in the South African Airways ATP World Tour Rankings, Robredo re-gained his strength in the deciding set. He got the critical break in the sixth game and subsequently clinched the decider with a 6-3 score line.
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