Article

  • Preview: Raemon Sluiter vs. Michael Llodra

    2/19/08 12:07 PM | David Cox
    - Dutch fans will be hoping that veteran wildcard Raemon Sluiter can roll back the years in tomorrow’s night session and overcome a 110 place ranking difference against Michael Llodra.

    Raemon Sluiter vs Michael Llodra

    Both players peaked several years ago, Sluiter was in the top 50 back in 2003 but now languishes down at 170 on the challenger circuit. Llodra has always enjoyed his best results on the doubles court but reached 38 in the singles rankings in 2004. He hasn’t slid quite as dramatically as Sluiter, he’s ranked 60 and continuing to get direct entry for the big events.

    These two are old foes, having competed 5 times since 2001 and Llodra holds a slender 3-2 lead. He won their last two matches, both in indoor challengers at the end of 2006 - 6-3, 6-3 on the fast indoor acrylic in Orleans and 6-4, 6-4 on the slowish carpet in Kolding.

    Sluiter’s had a dismal run in the past 6 months, the last time he won two successive main draw matches in a challenger was July ! It’s strange as he usually relishes the indoor season with his big serve and flat double-handed drives off both wings. In contrast Llodra started the year by winning only his 2nd singles title in Adelaide and showed good form in Marseille last week, he was very unlucky not to beat Paul-Henri Mathieu in rd2, losing out in the breakers.

Tell a friend »

Comments


Write comment

You have to be logged in to comment. If you do not have an account, click here to register. It only takes a minute and you'll be redirected back to this page.
Username:

Password: