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  • ATP Rotterdam - Haase vs Llodra

    2/22/08 2:13 AM | David Cox
    - It’s another fascinating youth vs experience duel scheduled to end the afternoon session tomorrow. There’s Michael Llodra who’s been around at this level for most of the past decade and Robin Haase who’s playing his first full season on the ATP tour

    They’ve played twice before, Haase winning two very close matches during the North American summer hardcourt swing; 6-2, 6-7(7), 7-6(4) in Washington and then 7-6 (3), 7-6(5) a few weeks later in Canada. With both men likely to rack up their fair share of unreturnables, a few tiebreaks looks probable.

    Both take contrasting styles to the court, Haase hits with a lot more topspin. Llodra plays very flat shots off both wings but also has a little more variety, uses the slice very well, especially for sneaking into the net where his real strengths lie .

    28 year old Llodra has been in the form of his life this year, winning the singles in Adelaide and then making the Aussie Open doubles final with Clement. A colourful character, he’s been known to pull some bizarre stunts in the past, most notably hiding naked in Ivan Ljubicic’s locker in Miami a few years ago, hoping to pick up positive vibes after Ljubicic’s recent good form.

    Haase is in his second ATP quarter-final of the year, in Chennai last month he was ousted in 3 sets by Marin Cilic. This match has a little added spice now as after beating Berrer last night, Haase vowed to avenge close friend and mentor Raemon Sluiter who Llodra sent into retirement in rd1.

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