The challenger and futures circuits on both the men’s and women’s tours this week showcased what was arguably some of the most competitive and high quality tennis in recent memory. Not only did three of the four challengers this week have finals that ended in a third set tiebreak, but Ivan Ljubicic also became one of the highest ranked players to ever compete in a challenger event.
The clear highlight on the challenger circuit this week was the $125,000 event held in East London, South Africa. The field was on a similar level as an ATP event, with former top five player Ivan Ljubicic, top fifty player Stefan Koubek, 2002 Australian Open champion Thomas Johannson, and perennial ironman Jonas Bjorkman the event’s top four seeds. The top-seeded Ljubicic, now ranked 24 in the world, decided to pull out of the ATP event in Marseille and request a last minute wild card here in order to prove to his critics that he was still a serious contender for the Olympics.
“The press back home is pretty rough and if I didn’t win here, they would say I was finished and that I should give up,” Ljubicic said.
Although he started out slowly this week and almost fell in the first round to Lamine Ouahab, a qualifier from Algeria, Ljubicic said his game improved progressively with each round. He saved his best form for the final and put together an immaculate performance against Stefan Koubek; he defeated the 54th ranked Austrian 7-6 6-4 with an ace on match point.
“It’s not easy to win a challenger, especially when you have to beat players like Thomas Johansson and Stefan Koubek,” Ljubicic said. “But this victory is good for my confidence and I can take a lot away from this week.”
At the $125,000 event in Belgrade, Serbia, Croatian Roko Karanusic used his big serve and aggressive all-court game to earn the biggest title of his career to date. Karanusic defeated German Philipp Petzschner in a thrilling three-set final that culminated in a third-set tiebreaker 5-7 6-1 7-6. The win catapults the Croat to new career high ranking; in fact, he’ll find himself in the top 100 for the first time.
On the women’s side, Johanna Larsson of Sweden thrilled the home crowd by taking the $25,000 event in Stockholm. She overcame a slow start to win 0-6 6-1 7-6 over Barbara Zahalova Strycova of the Czech Republic. The nineteen year old is now on a 12 match winning streak, after also winning the $25,000 event in Sutton last week as a qualifier. Her fine form has also translated to her doubles game; she won the doubles event in Stockholm with rising British star Anna Smith. Larsson reaches a career high ranking of #232 this week and will likely contest her first Grand Slam qualifying event at Roland Garros this spring.
Berri, Australia was the host for the second of two $25,000 grass court events which were being held on the continent this month. In a shocking upset, Aussie Nicole Kriz won the first challenger title of her career by beating Marina Erakovic of New Zealand 6-4 4-6 7-6. Erakovic, who’s been in fine form this year by reaching the semifinals at a WTA event in Auckland last month and storming through the $25,000 event in Mildura last week, had only lost seventeen games in route to the final and looked to be the overwhelming favorite. However, the Aussie right-hander held her nerve in fighting off match points on the Kiwi’s serve to record her second final set tiebreak win of the tournament. Despite the loss, Erakovic’s inspired play will propel her to a career high ranking of #135 this week. With only a handful of points to defend between now and May, she might be able to improve her ranking enough to be able to contest the first Grand Slam main draw of her career at Roland Garros.
On the futures level, Frenchman Nicholas Coutelot took a small step towards reclaiming his former top 100 status by winning the $15,000 event in Torre Pacheco, Spain. The 31 year old also took the futures event in Murcia the week before. Ricardo Hocevar of Brazil is also on a ten match winning streak with his victories in La Habana, Cuba this week and Tuxtla Gutierrez, Mexico this week before. On the women’s side, Slovenian Polana Hercog is 11-0 on the year after this week after sweeping the two $10,000 events in Mallorca and winning a match in Fed Cup. The 17 year old is entered in some upcoming challenger events and looks poised to begin breaking through at the next level.
The men will showcase the feature challenger tournament of next week as Fabrice Santoro, competing in what will likely be his last year on tour, leads the field at the $100,000 event in Bensacon, France. On the women’s side, Milagros Sequera of Venezuela returns from a six-month injury layoff as the top seed at the $25,000 event in Clearwater, Florida. Anne Keothavong, the current British number one, will also lead the way at the $25,000 tournament in Capriolo, Italy.
Share this:
Discover more from Tennis Grandstand
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Download NBA 2k15 VC Cheat-NBA 2k15 Locker Codes !
Watch this video and learn how!
What’s up to every one, since I am genuinely eager of reading this webpage’s
post to be updated on a regular basis. It contains pleasant stuff.
Look at my weblog: seo birmingham
Whether you’ve negative credit superior credit or no credit; We
Could Help Every Circumstance.
Also visit my web-site :: bad credit auto loan (Garland)
Right here is the right website for everyone who wants to find out about this topic.
You realize a whole lot its almost tough to argue with you (not that I actually
would want to…HaHa). You definitely put a new spin on a subject that’s been discussed
for a long time. Great stuff, just excellent!
Here is my web site … construction management
If you desire to improve your experience only keep visiting
this site and be updated with the most recent information posted here.
My website … dominatrix (Pilar)
Download best workig cheats ffor your game! Safe Game Pro
is the best choice for you!
It is recommended to begin little as well as raise your gold IRA (cityinsider.Com) asset base over a dujration of years if you are a beginner financier.
These well-informed specialists do fix as well ass upkeep of all types of openers
as well as Garage Door Repair Service Seattle, http://www.freebusinessdirectory.com, doorways.
Yacht, these days, generally refer to a racing or a cruising boat.
Just like search engines, they can be gamed using the right practices.
Try to keep your stash of wood as low as possible to minimize
the wood losses during attacks.
Take a look at my homepage; boom beach hack
Only at National Loan, we have compiled many of the phrases
and descriptions you might encounter when buying a car and money that vehicle.
My web site: bad credit used car loans reviews (Elissa)
Consequently, implement today and obtain able
to enhance your credit score at monthly obligations that are
lowered and lower premiums.
Also visit my page … loans for bad credit in Atlanta
Ga (Staci)
For greater amounts of income, in writing you’ll probably would like to get every one of the specifics of the mortgage.
Also visit my website: car loans for bad credit no money down in pa (Milton)
Please once you get that loan conditions, and all necessary papers,
including my supply.
Here is my web page: buy a car with bad credit
and no job (Nicolas)
Discuss with independently owned car outlets and have the go shopping for a
fee program.
Feel free to visit my web site: bad credit car loan calculator uk –
Marcelo,
We have an excellent credibility in taking on the overhaul and also
upgrading of A/C systems.
Also visit my web-site: HVAC Training
The function of a sewage-disposal septic tank pumping is to treat wastewater from a property or
numerous houses which are not hooked up to the keys drain system.
It’s important that we could access your septic tank pumping Houston (Lemuel) system to ensure
we can provide you with a reliable service.
Crystal septic tank cleaning – Paulette – systems are special during that they maintain the oygenation process that
was crucial in the old standard type.
Generally constructed septic tank pumping San Diego system systems are usually 1 or 2 chamber systems.
The soakaway being built in ground conditions which are non-permeable such as sandy clay, silt clay and also
clay.
Here is my blog post: septic tank pumping New York, Kathie,
Tyco Fire & Integrated Solutions are able to supply and
also fix all sorts of Fan’s and also are
experts in the maintenance of this equipment.
my weblog – HVAC Training Course
With more than Twenty Years of experience in the physical fitness market, she
coaches cycling health and welfare caldwell – Clarence – running and teaches Pilates and yoga.
Hi there to every body, it’s my first pay a visit of this web site; this web site
includes awesome and genuinely fine information in support of visitors.
Feel free to visit my web site :: nootrobrain reviews [Chadwick]
No paving slabs or heavy product to be put on top as this could split the sewage-disposal
septic tank cleaning (Latesha) over time.
Actually, we create some of one of the most durable AIR CONDITIONING Tools,
parts as well as controls on the market today.
Feel free to visit my web-site HVAC Training (Lillie)
HAZWOPER training is not needed unless drivers will certainly be taking on the
task of cleaning up the site, as well as this is really entailed.
Also visit my web site: Tammi
Because these systems are entirely secured (with the exception of the manhole), they will certainly need to be cleared on a quite constant
basis.
Also visit my web site … septic tank pumping San Antonio (Laurel)
You also need to execute soakaway examinations to verify that your land is suitable
for a soakaway.
Feel free to visit my web blog: septic tank cleaning (Roxie)
She’s placed her finger prints on a whole lot (of jobs).
She’s done a great service for the city,” said her employer City Manager John Zobler.
my web blog :: septic tank pumping, Hanna,
Therefore, to prevent damages to the drainfield,
you need to check the deepness to the water level near the drainfield.
Here is my blog post … septic pumping (Eloy)
As well as none of the jam-packed, frozen planet was
going over of the 200-pound concrete piece that worked as a lid
for the smaller chamber.
My blog post septic tank cleaning; Tam,
Valuable info. Lucky me I discovered your site by accident, and
I am stunned why this accident did not took place in advance!
I bookmarked it.
Review my web blog … nootrobrain reviews; Sarah,
It is been sorry for that this solution can not be given where it would certainly be
essential for the vehicle to travel over unpaved locations.
Also visit my blog post … septic tank cleaning – Albertina –
Because of this training, employees are changing their lifestyles to end
up being more healthy over the long run.
Take a look at my website :: health insurance
marketplace exemption; Lydia,
As an independent HEATING AND COOLING service provider, you could be sure that Premiair will certainly implement the very best option customized to your
demands.
Here is my page … HVAC Training Courses (Regina)
An individual room or group of neighboring indoor spaces that the HEATING
AND COOLING designer anticipates will certainly have similar thermal lots.
Feel free to surf to my blog :: HVAC Training
But if you’re trying to find deep Health logging, you might wish to think
about another band.
Also visit my page: healthcare equity research jobs (Hassan)
You could complete AIR CONDITIONING HVAC Training Courses (Shanice)
in Reno at CCNN in as low as 36 weeks as well as be ready to strike
the ground operating.
I found a few sites I was comfortable with and joined.
For women, most men appreciate a phone call or note saying that you enjoyed the first date.
After that we Skyped for a couple weeks, I had to know she was who she
said she was of course.
Awesome issues here. I’m very happy to peer your
post. Thanks a lot and I’m having a look forward to
touch you. Will you please drop me a e-mail?
Here is my web page; nootrobrain nootropics (Jarred)
People who have a mental health articles cnn 2015 (Margarette) disorder need to cope with stigma and discrimination, and making use of
slang terms doesn’t help.
Great blog here! Also your website loads up fast!
What web host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your
host? I wish my website loaded up as quickly as yours lol
My webpage; pure asian garcinia reviews (Duane)
The good idea is that people all over the world must purchase insurance; this
however turns bad when the government requires people to do so.
Also visit my site :: health partners urgent care wait time (Carlton)
When you get close to the end, if you feel like you might run over or
need a few extra minutes to finish up, stop and check with all participants.
In the Kali age everyone who has cars and elephants and steeds will be
a R. I hear many young girls at once saying “We love Justin Bieber.
Hi to every one, it’s genuinely a fastidious for me where to read about nursing faculty association pay a quick visit
this web site, it consists of priceless Information.
You are so awesome! I don’t believe I’ve read through a
single thing like that before. So nice to find somebody with some unique thoughts on this issue.
Really.. thanks for starting this up. This site is something that is required on the internet, someone with a bit of originality!
Also visit my page supplement reviews (Lynn)
Wow, wonderful blog structure! How long have you ever been blogging for?
you made blogging look easy. The entire glance
of your site is great, let alone the content!
Here is my web page observe-event.de – Lauri –
The most common type of balloon vaporizers is volcano.
Author writes for Vaporizer Review, Vaporizer and Herbal Vaporizer Reviews.
0 herbal Vaporizer can be used hands free and has
a heat shield for protection, the digital controls give you the ability to set the temperature you need for the biomass you are using.
Awesome supply air (blue) slowly flows out of both heating/cooling registers in the corners of the space,
and also spreads out across the floor.
Look into my page HVAC Training Courses
The program is made to prepare pupils for the Federal
EPA Section 608 certification examination.
Feel free to surf to my page :: HVAC (Breanna)
Necessary oils are ending up being very popular in the natural health partners dental woodbury (Denisha) neighborhood and for an excellent factor: They WORK!
Sell them online if you have a pair of well-known sports shoes in excellent condition or
the pair of yellow trousers that you regret getting.
Fantastic blog! Do you have any tips and hints for aspiring writers?
I’m hoping to start my own blog soon but I’m a little lost on everything.
Would you suggest starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for
a paid option? There are so many options out there that I’m totally confused
.. Any suggestions? Thanks a lot!
Also visit my website pure colon detox
Thanks for finally talking about > Challenger/Futures Write-Up for February 18th | Tennis Grandstand < Liked it!
Visit my web blog … pure asian garcinia canada [Dillon]
They will more than most likely not be system so you can directly buy on the HEATING AND COOLING internet site
style.
Here is my blog post – HVAC Training (Janis)
I am not sure where you’re getting your info, but good topic.
I needs to spend some time learning more or understanding more.
Thanks for magnificent information I was looking for this info for my mission.
Here is my blog nootrobrain information (Cooper)