Tennis Atlantic

Youzhny Wins Gstaad, Robredo Stops Fognini Streak in Umag

ATP Gstaad

Mikhail Youzhny shocked a whole lot of people as he reached his 2nd ATP final this year and won it, this time 6-3 6-4 over Robin Haase. Haase was also a surprise and has not had a good year, yet always seems to play well in July/August clay court tennis.

Youzhny needed 3 sets against Paul-Henri Mathieu, Pablo Andujar, and Juan Monaco before dispatching Victor Hanescu in straights before the final. Let’s just say the Russian played a lot of tennis this week. Hanescu, the semifinalist, beat Federer beater Daniel Brands in the quarters, as the Swiss maestro continued his slump.

Haase beat Joao Souza, Janko Tipsarevic, Marcel Granollers in 3 sets, and Feliciano Lopez in 3 sets to reach the final.

In doubles, Jamie Murray and John Peers beat Pablo Andujar and Guillermo Garcia-Lopez.

ATP Umag

Fabio Fognini nearly won his 3rd title in a row in consecutive weeks, but it was not to be, as Tommy Robredo stopped him for Robredo’s 2nd ATP title of the year. The score was 6-0, 6-3, as Forza Fognini was just gassed.

Fognini beat Thiemo De Bakker, Martin Klizan, and Gael Monfils in one of the craziest matches of the year to reach the final. Fognini took the first set via bagel 6-0, and the announcers were visibly wondering why Monfils was out there playing, winning just 10 points in the opening set. Then the Frenchman came alive, taking the 2nd set 6-3, before collapsing again and allowing Fognini to go up 5-0. Then, it was Fognini’s turn to fall apart, giving up a 5-0 lead and ending up a final set tiebreak where he had to fight of 3 match points to win.

After the match, a drunk fan ran on to the court to congratulate Fognini, and Fognini lifted him up. It seems like every year in Umag, something crazy happens.

Robredo had a bit less excitement in his matches, beating Jan Hajek, a scandal-tarred Viktor Troicki (who now faces a confusing 18 month ITF doping suspension, related to refusing a blood test in Monte Carlo, which was promptly announced after his loss) and Aljaz Bedene, all in straights, before beating Andreas Seppi in 3 sets in the semis.

Martin Klizan and David Marrero won the doubles title over Nick Monroe and Simon Stadler.

—Steen Kirby