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2/14/10 6:56 AM | Ricky Dimon
Arguably the biggest day of Lukasz Kubot's career will take place on Sunday in Costa do Sauipe. Prior to the doubles final, Kubot will do battle with Juan Carlos Ferrero for the singles title.
Lukasz Kubot has won seven matches this week; four in singles and three in doubles. He has won a whopping five matches in the last two days, including three in singles.
Standing in his way at the final hurdle, however, is the No. 1 seed and by far the most accomplished player in the Brasil Open draw--Juan Carlos Ferrero. Kubot and Ferrero will be squaring off for the first time in their careers when they meet for the title on Sunday evening in Costa do Sauipe.
It has already been a magical week for Kubot, who is competing in just his second career ATP final (finished runner-up to Novak Djokovic last spring in Belgrade). But by no means is this success coming out of nowhere. Playing the best tennis of his life at 27 years old, Poland's No. 1 player recently made it to the fourth round of the Australian Open and he registers at a career-high ranking of No. 56 in the world. Kubot opened in Brazil with a straight-set dismissal of Oscar Hernandez, then he destroyed both Albert Montanes and Fabio Fognini on Friday before beating Igor Andreev 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 in the semis.
Although he is a veteran like Kubot at 30 years old, Ferrero finds himself at a much different career point. A former world No. 1 and French Open champion in 2003, the Spaniard dropped out of the Top 100 early last season before enjoying a major resurgence. He currently registers at 22nd following a torrid end of 2009 and even though an ankle injury derailed him last month, Ferrero seems to be back on track. Costa do Sauipe's top seed made his way to the final by ousting Eduardo Schwank, Nicolas Massu, Carlos Berlocq, and Ricardo Mello, dropping only a single set to Massu.
A huge favorite on paper against Kubot, Ferrero will be facing his fifth straight unseeded opponent. He also has a massive edge in experience; Ferrero is contesting his 30th career ATP final (28 more than Kubot, for those counting) and he has captured 12 titles. Only one victory has come since 2003, as Ferrero ended six-year drought last season in Casablanca.
Although Kubot is a heavy underdog in this one, he is on fire at the moment and he is capable of troubling Ferrero by getting into the net behind punishing, flat groundstrokes. Look for Kubot to take a set before Ferrero prevails in three.
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Well ... that was fast.
smr , 2/14/10 11:41 PM
If that was the biggest day of Kobot's career he should just retire now because if it's going to get worse than that then why bother? That was disappointing to watch. Ferrero played well but Kubot just seemed overwhelmed by the situation and could do nothing right. That's 0 for 2 in entertainment today after Youzhny retired earlier.
chr18 , 2/15/10 12:18 AM
abusive
RickyDimon , 2/15/10 12:24 AM
Kubot lost in the dubs also, he must have run out of steam.
smr , 2/15/10 2:36 AM
Kubot had to be out of fuel, but congratulations are in order for JCF. Nice to see. :)
Kelli , 2/15/10 4:56 AM
ferrero in three. yup.
spadea , 2/15/10 8:46 PM
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Would be great for Ferrero to win another title ... but somehow I feel Kubot is due ... after this week. He could even win 2.
smr , 2/14/10 4:08 PM