Help
2/7/10 4:06 PM | Ricky Dimon
Feliciano Lopez ends the improbable run of Stephane Robert in the Johannesburg title match on Sunday afternoon. Lopez wins the second title of his 14-year career while denying Robert in the veteran Frenchman's first ATP final appearance.
Feliciano Lopez won the second ATP title of his career on Sunday afternoon, racing past Stephane Robert 7-5, 6-1 in the final of the SA Tennis Open. Lopez needed one hour and 13 minutes to lift his first winner's trophy since a triumph at the 2004 Bank Austria Tennis Trophy in Vienna.
Robert serve dismally in the first set and Lopez seemed to be in control the entire way, but Johannesburg's No. 3 seed could not finish it off without a mighty struggle. Lopez held serve comfortably on his way to a 5-4 lead then squandered a pair of set points with a forehand error and failure to handle a well-place Robert approach shot. The Spaniard blew three more set-point chances at 6-5 before getting some much-needed help to close out the opening frame of play. A net-cord winner gave Lopez his sixth opportunity and he converted it when Robert sent a routine forehand well past the baseline.
With momentum in hand, the world No. 39 fell into a 0-30 hole in the first game of set two, but he promptly went on a streak of a whopping 12 consecutive points. Lopez held for 1-0, broke at love for 2-0, and held at love for 3-0. Robert finally got back on the scoreboard at 0-3, 15-0, but the helpless Frenchman lost four more straight points to plummet into a 4-0 abyss.
From there it was all but over for Robert, the No. 100 player in the world and No. 8 seed this week. He managed to hold serve for 1-5 by saving a championship point with his second ace of the afternoon, but the deficit was far too much to overcome. Lopez dropped only one point while serving serving out the proceedings, capitalizing on his second match point
Lopez, who improves to 2-4 lifetime in ATP finals, finished with 11 aces and one double-fault. He won more than 75 percent of both his first and second-serve points and never faced a single break point.
At 29 years old, Robert was competing in just his fifth career ATP event. He had won only three ATP-level matches prior to his arrival in Johannesburg.
Tell a friend »
I didn't have a chance to see any of this, but I'm guessing Lopez had his bh under control this week. Nearly six years in between titles...
Kelli , 2/8/10 12:40 AM
Appreciating warm gratitudes of enrapture amo're at this conquering moment by Feli'ciano Lopez at Johannesburg Open, 2010. I've steadily kept an eye on his progress and have found him to be a player of magnitude and honour.
I guess with the older players it could be a case of benelovent dreams with most countries in need of more stability and comfort.
F Lopez was steady at our Oz Open this year. I viewed his match with A Roddick and thought it a crucial defining moment for him yet again, luck just ran out. Feli'c was 'super' making the semifinal at the Japan Open late 09. Nice,,.
TAFARIANA , 2/14/10 12:52 AM
congrats feli, so glad to see him get another title late in his career, he is an unusual player and one of the best physiques on tour, great to watch too when he is playing well, was impressed with him against Roddick too. this win will boost his confidence.
afrodite7 , 2/14/10 1:13 AM
Scan QR code to access Unibet mobile.
Bet on Sports wherever you are and whenever you like, with Unibet's quick and simple mobile client you can place bets, check results and see live odds.
For more info about QR codes & scanners click here.
Contact us
/ About us
/ Cookies
/ Recommended links
/ Advertise
/ Sitemap
Tennistalk v1.5.0
Disclaimer © 2001-2012, Moneytainment Media Ltd - All rights reserved
Good win for Lopez, he is a good player he just needs to be a little more consistent
tennis2010 , 2/7/10 8:06 PM