Post by Webmaster on Jun 19, 2005 21:06:05 GMT
Ancic beats Llodra to Dutch title
Croatia's Mario Ancic underlined his grass court credentials overnight, beating defending champion Michael Llodra 7-5, 6-4 to win the Den Bosch Open in the Netherlands.
The third seed, a semi-finalist at Wimbledon last year and the 10th seed next week, produced an outstanding serving display and broke once in each set to claim his first ATP title.
"It's a great feeling, a relief," said Ancic, who had lost his two previous finals.
"I felt really confident out there and from the first point to the last point, I was playing really great tennis."
In soaring temperatures, Ancic dropped just three points on serve in the opening set and broke Llodra in the 11th game when the Frenchman double-faulted.
Llodra had tamed the big serve of Australian wildcard Mark Philippoussis in the semi-finals, but he could only laugh at times as ace after ace went past his racket.
The Frenchman saved two break points in the fifth game of the second set but Ancic ripped a forehand winner to break and held his nerve to clinch victory as Llodra's attempted pass found the bottom of the net.
Ancic was the last man to beat two-time defending champion Roger Federer at Wimbledon, and the Croat said he felt better prepared than ever before for a crack at the title, having lost to American Andy Rodthingy in the semi-finals last year.
"I think this is great preparation for Wimbledon," he said.
"I think the courts here were much better for us because they are more like the courts at Wimbledon.
"I feel more developed. My results this year have been much better on all the other surfaces, and this week gives me a lot of confidence.
"I know the first couple of rounds will be very tough and I'll have to be focused but I think I have a good chance to do well."
-Reuters
Croatia's Mario Ancic underlined his grass court credentials overnight, beating defending champion Michael Llodra 7-5, 6-4 to win the Den Bosch Open in the Netherlands.
The third seed, a semi-finalist at Wimbledon last year and the 10th seed next week, produced an outstanding serving display and broke once in each set to claim his first ATP title.
"It's a great feeling, a relief," said Ancic, who had lost his two previous finals.
"I felt really confident out there and from the first point to the last point, I was playing really great tennis."
In soaring temperatures, Ancic dropped just three points on serve in the opening set and broke Llodra in the 11th game when the Frenchman double-faulted.
Llodra had tamed the big serve of Australian wildcard Mark Philippoussis in the semi-finals, but he could only laugh at times as ace after ace went past his racket.
The Frenchman saved two break points in the fifth game of the second set but Ancic ripped a forehand winner to break and held his nerve to clinch victory as Llodra's attempted pass found the bottom of the net.
Ancic was the last man to beat two-time defending champion Roger Federer at Wimbledon, and the Croat said he felt better prepared than ever before for a crack at the title, having lost to American Andy Rodthingy in the semi-finals last year.
"I think this is great preparation for Wimbledon," he said.
"I think the courts here were much better for us because they are more like the courts at Wimbledon.
"I feel more developed. My results this year have been much better on all the other surfaces, and this week gives me a lot of confidence.
"I know the first couple of rounds will be very tough and I'll have to be focused but I think I have a good chance to do well."
-Reuters
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