Carreno Busta edges past Gregoire Burquier for his 10th title of the season

It hasn't been a great quality final the one that took place last night in the ATP Challenger of Cordenons, both athletes didn't play their best tennis, which was a shame considering the great tennis both showed in their way to the final.
French player, Gregoire Burquier started the match with a lot of tension, he knew his opponent wasn't going to give him free points, so he had to be aggressive and take him by surprise with sudden acceleration and other variations, but those attempts at first were all due to end up with errors. After the match he would indeed said: "I didn't play my best tennis, I don't know maybe because it's a final and maybe because it's him, I know he won a lot of tournaments and I was a bit afraid of him and only in the end I saw that I could play well, but it was too late, you know, he's very solid, so I needed my best tennis to win"
On the other side of the net, the hot-form Spanish seemed to struggle finding the right null and hence his gamed lacked of a true aggressive mindset for most of the first and part of the second set. 
"It was difficult" said Carreno Busta at the end of the match, "it's strange because I think I played bad, not my best tennis, he played very nervously, so it was really strange"
Yet this was quite enough because Burquier was too erratic and his winners couldn't fully make up for the errors. The first set ended 6 games to 4 for Carreno, but despite the close scoreline, it didn't really seem he could lose this match.
The second set started with a good reaction from Gregoir, who took a break lead in the first game and hold for 2-0, but once again his level couldn't keep up and Carreno Busta immediately broke back. On 3-all Burquier clearly started to feel the moment and got broken from 30-0 with four unforced errors in a row. The break gave Carreno Busta the right boost of confidence to finally try to go more for his shots and that gave the final a last taste of quality, because contrary to the public expectations, Burquier finally started to play his game and the last few games were the best of the match. Nonetheless Carreno Busta could hold in both his service games and close the match with a terrific backhand winner worth of his 10th title of the season, the 3rd Challenger.
For Burquier remains the satisfaction of a good week, despite the bitter loss in this final: "It's been a positive week for me, I had a very difficult season so far, but here I defeated very good players this week and felt my game, so I hope it's another season starting for the next tournaments".
Despite his ranking Carreno Busta won't play the US Open, but will play two more Challengers in Italy in Como and Genova, before going to Asia, he feels quite comfortable about going to the ATP Tour: "I played in Portugal an ATP and reached the Semifinal, so I think I am ready to play with tops" and at the question if he's ready for that on hard courts too, smiling he said "I will try to".

Carreno-Busta vs Burquier, both keep living different dreams

It will be the final that you wouldn't expect, mostly because of the French player, who clearly played some of the best tennis of his career to get this far. Burquier will have to face for the first time in this tournament a player who's not from Italy as in his way to this final played Virgili and Giannessi, before upsetting two of the favourite players for the title Volandri and Starace. Especially in his semifinal, Gregoire showed a great mental attitude towards the match, contrary to what Starace did.
The French player seemed to exactly know what to do and when, staying focused for most of the match, but a small black-out when he got an early break in the second set and suffered the Italian comeback. Gregoire was really solid from the baseline and only the dropshots from Starace seemed to be able to hurt him, but even that didn't last long and the Italian lost the cool and ended up losing a match that probably considered a good match up for a semifinal.
The other semifinal featured the biggest favourite for the title, Italian reigning champion and first seed Paolo Lorenzi, playing the most in-form player of this season, Spanish Pablo Carreno-Busta. The Spaniard, who was close to the top 100 no longer than two springs ago, he found himself out of the top 600 at the start of this season, but with humility he went back to futures and week after week, title on title he got back to top 100 and with other great results he conquered his best ranking last week at n°90 in the world, but will go further next week, whatever the outcome of this final will be.
His defensive game that reminds a little of his compatriot Ferrer, made him a built a wall which forced Lorenzi to go more and more for high-risk shots. The Italian hence, could find some peak moments in which he looked on the verge of taking a decisive lead, but those moments would soon be followed by moments in which all the risks didn't pay off and the level of the Spaniard barely ever changed for good nor bad and in the end it was his consistency that paid off the most, giving him a 7-6 (5) 7-5 and a place as a clear favourite in the final.

Starace halts Semrajc dream run, Carreno too solid for Gombos

(3) Pablo Carreno-Busta def Norbert Gombos 6-7 (5) 6-3 6-3

It needed two and a half hours for the 3rd seed to pass over the promising Slovak Gombos, but in the distance the more solid and less risky game of the Spaniard resulted into a good win and a place in the semifinals of the ATP Challenger of Cordenons.
Huge credits are to be given to Norbert Gombos though, who kept fighting for every point until the very end, even when many others would have given up. The Slovak played a good match and was satisfied with his game, though he admitted he wasted too many chances in the second set.
In the first set Carreno-Busta was the first one to break, but the Slovak could break back after a few games and in the end it was necessary to play a tiebreak to give the set and there the powerful game of Gombos let him dictate the rallies and in the end win the first set.
The constant pressure put on the Slovak by the amazing defense of Carreno and probably a bit of frustration for the mistakes adding one to another by the need of breaking the wall that was put up by the Spaniard -and probably a little of that given by the annoying cheering on his mistakes provided by Busta's dad- started to weight on Gombos shoulders and on the other side of the net the Spanish seed kept his calm and by risking very little went on winning the next two sets.

Potito Starace def. (Q) Janez Semrajc 4-6 6-4 6-2

It's been a terrific run the one that the young Slovene had lived here in Cordenons (you can find two interviews with him in the previous posts), starting from being unseeded in the qualies he reached the Quarter-finals and today had a lot of chances to go further by playing an awesome match against a very inspired Potito Starace. The Italian, who himself didn't have a good year so far, seemed to have found his game this week and sailed up to this match, but eventually found a great opponent on the other side of the net.
Janez started very solid from the baseline, dictating most of the points, but being able to make Potito play extra balls when forced into defence. The Slovenian could also count on a strong and solid serve and that helped him to keep the break conquered early in the first set, up to finally take the first set 6 games to 4.
The second set started with a very bad moment of lack of focus from Semrajc, who found himself fast down 3-0, but eventually tied it up to 3-all. Starace started to feel the pressure of being on the verge of an upset from a much lower-ranked player in front of the home crowd and tried new ways out, because his baseline game was simply useless against Semrajc. The Italian bad moment channelled in a warning given for a ball being sent probably in the swimming pool a dozen meters outside of the stadium, but that reaction lead to a change into his game, he started to rush more to the net and use a lot of dropshots to take the Slovene out of his comfort zone. The last games of the set where the quality-wise best of the match, but despite his chance, Semrajc couldn't close it and in the end it was Starace who found the right acceleration to take the set and level the score.
As Janez said after his match, by the end of the second set he started to feel tired and his legs didn't react as fast as he hoped for, but in the third set everyone could tell and Potito tried his best to take advantage of that, by forcing Semrajc to chase a lot of balls and on the other side of the net, the Slovene started to go for winners earlier in the rally in the desperate attempt to shorten the rallies.
The final game summed it up with Semrajc serving 4 big serves, making one silly mistake on a basic putaway and finally being broken from 40-15 up. Starace's reaction for this win wasn't as much of an example to follow as most of kids watching deserved to see, with the Italian giving one last loud fist-pump after the hand-shake.

Challenger Cordenons, Thursday highlights

R1: (1) Paolo Lorenzi def (WC) Gianluigi Quinzi 6-1 6-2

There was a lot of interest around this match, as Quinzi, after his win of the junior title of Wimbledon, is given as the biggest rising start of the Italian movement and this was a great chance for him to get his first steps in the pro-tour. Sadly he was drawn against top seed, defending champion and world top 70 Paolo Lorenzi, who simply showed to be too good for the talented youngster.
Quinzi didn't have much to hurt the experienced Italian, because his game lacks of killing accelerations and Lorenzi knew how to slow down the path of the rallies with his tricky slices. What's more Gianluigi's serve is not as powerful and accurate as it's needed to bother someone like Lorenzi and he only could hold serve once in the whole match, at the start of the second set, when he got a 2-0 lead, that was the only moment in which he looked quite competitive out there.

R2: Norbert Gombos def. (WC) Stefano Napolitano 6-1 6-0

Looking at the final score it's hard to believe that Gombos expected this match to be a tough battle (for more about this and to get to know him have a look at his interview posted two days ago ), but contrary to what the result may suggest, Napolitano didn't even play half bad, it was Norbert being just too good, in every department of the game. Even the Italian coach, sitting in the stands at one

point said to other people watching, that Stefano wasn't playing badly at all, but Gombos was superb out there. The Slovak will face the 3rd seed, Carreno Busta for a place in the Semifinals.

R2: (5) Filippo Volandri def Marco Cecchinato 7-6 (2) 6-1

The rematch of the actually surprising clash in San Marino saw the revenge from Volandri, who found a better solidity and consistence, especially behind his serve, closing the match without being broken. The first set featured some outstanding quality, with both the players forcing themselves into long rallies of one-handed backhands battles, with accelerations and drops and great quality volleys. The real turnaround happened during the tie-break, when San Marino's winner suddenly lost his cool and started to moan and complain about the calls, ending up caught in a cloud of negativity that got him a warning and most of all the loss of the set. After that, he never really got back mentally and Volandri had the chance to dictate most of the points and close easily.

R2: (Q) Janez Semrajc def. Thomas Schoorel 4-6 7-6 (10) 6-2

The Slovenian qualifier never finishes to surprise in this tournament, edging the talented and powerful Schoorel in a superb match, where both guys played some outstanding tennis for two sets and then in the decider Semrajc found the right attitude to close, while Schoorel suffered mentally from the Match Point wasted in the second set tie-break. The first set was characterized by easy holds for both, only Janez had a small drop in one game, which eventually led to a deciding break.

In the second it was the service to rule the path of the match, until by the end Thomas let the Slovene have some chances, but he could save them to reach the tiebreak. There it was simply epic, both guys fought for every ball with everything the had, showing great skills and attitude, though it seemed that Semrajc had found the right key when he got 6-3 up: two good serves from Schoorel and a lob out of millimeters and it was back to 6-all. Semrajc had a few more chance to close, but each time Schoorel handled the pressure and saved those points, but on the other hand Janez could save a Match Point with a terrific forehand winner. A massive backhand finally handed him the tiebreak and the set, but most of all, the momentum flew by then to his side and Schoorel looked to tired both physically and mentally to fight to have it back. Linked here you can find Semrajc words of joy after his huge win.

Another marathon match win for Janez Semrajc, another post-match interview

It's been the 5th win this week for the young Slovene and it's been the 4th in a row that goes to the 3rd set, this time Janez had to save a Match Point in the tie-break of the second set, he had to face a lot of pressure and fight against the easy temptation to give up, when he got caught back from 6-3 to 6-6 in this tiebreak, with one of his shots finishing long of less than a inch. Then again 3 more chances to close went by, but in the end he could win the set for 12 points to 10 and then sail to an amazing win in the third, when winner over winner he dismantled the last resistances of Dutch Schoorel.

Well, that was…epic. You saved one match point in the tie-break…I mean, how did it feel out there?

J.S. It was tough, I mean, he saved 3 set points in a row, I guess it was 6-3, you know, I wanted to find the quality for this moment, but it was really hard, because then I was also 7-8 I guess (he faced a match point there) and I played a good forehand to save it and that took a lot of pressure from me. It was really hard.

Yeah, but it was great, I mean, the crowd was all behind you, they were supporting you. Could you feel that?

J.S. Yeah, it was really nice, because in those hard moment the crowd can help you to improve your level to a step higher…sorry *takes a deep breath*

It’s ok, I mean, you played some 12 hours for the past 4 matches, it’s…

J.S. But I am ok, physically I am still good, I don’t know how, but I am ok…

You asked for the physiotherapist before the match did even start, it’s quite unusual, what was that for?

J.S. In the last round of qualifies I hurt my back on the left side, so I just asked for some kinesio-tape.

Ok, that’s less worrying then, anyway you didn’t seem to struggle physically today, you defended really well…

J.S. Yes, but it was hard, because he’s such a good hitter, he plays so fast and it’s hard to defend, I mean, against Veic that was easier!

After you wasted one of the setpoints, correct me if I am wrong, my Slovenian ain’t that good, you said to yourself to be more aggressive, in the end it turned out you could do it.

J.S. yes, because when I was aggressive he couldn’t play so hard, whenever I would just put the ball in, he would get a lot of pressure on both my backhand and forehand and I could do nothing on those balls.

Yes. In the third set he started really well by holding to love with huge serves, then you could come back, mostly mentally I guess and go up 5-1…

J.S. Well, it was, I don’t, I was so happy I had one the 2^nd set, so my mind was not there, but later, I don’t know, he made some mistakes he didn’t hit before and this maybe means that mentally he wasn’t so good there.

Thank you, good luck for tomorrow.

J.S. Thank you!

Getting to know Norbert Gombos

Wednesday wasn't a good day for the ATP Challenger in Cordenons as the heavy rain that forced to suspend matches yesterday kept falling until the today's middle afternoon and despite the hard work from the organization, only one set was played, but the conditions of the courts forced once more to delay the whole thing to tomorrow. 

On outer courts a lot of players kept practicing despite the slow and slippery clay and in one of them I found one of the most interesting rising names of the circuit, Norbert Gombos, from Slovakia, who accepted to say a few words once his training was over. Gombos was born in 1990 and reached his career highest ranking just a few weeks ago being number 262 in the world:

You played really well in your first round match against the 7th seed Pashanski, how was it?

N.G. I really felt good on court, I played really well because I know he is a very good and tough opponent, so I tried my best and I felt really good because I was playing on the centre court and there was a good atmosphere, with a lot of people on the stands…I was glad that I played good tennis.

Is it the first time you come here?

N.G. yes, it’s my first time here in Cordenons. I’ve played many tournaments in Italy this year, but it’s my first time here.

How is the atmosphere here? How do you feel it?

N.G. You know, it’s always good in Italy, really good atmosphere because so many people come to watch matches and, you know, so it’s like, those are just challengers, but with so many people it feels like the ATP tour and there are always nice clubs and good organization…that’s why I am playing only in Italy now!

I see, that’s flattering for us. You played a lot on clay this year, is it because you like it best?

N.G. Yeah, that’s true. I have more points coming from clay, but I don’t care if I am playing on clay or hard courts, also my coaches say that I have a good game for hard courts, but I don’t care, I think I feel more comfortable on clay, because I was grown up on clay. This is better for me, I guess.

You’ve got one more day to rest now because of the rain and the courts, what do you think about your chances in the next round and then for the tournament?

N.G. Yeah, I mean, I am playing against a wildcard [Stefano Napolitano], so some home player, but it will be a tough match because every Italian guys always play really good at home. I have played against local wildcards before in other tournaments and those were tough matches, but I will try my best, that’s for sure.

What would you tell us about your game? What’s your favourite shot?

N.G. Well…I play very good from the baseline, I feel good there, but I improve my game all the time, thinking about new things and I believe that I improved my game, not only my ranking, so that’s why I am training very hard at home, so I try to improve always new things on my game.

Of course, there’s always something to improve, but you are doing a great job. So where are you going to play next? And what are your goals for the season?

N.G. my goals for the season? Well it was to reach top 300 and I already did it *laughs*. So now it’s to get into some grand slam qualifying, you know, it’s my dream to play a grand slam.

Well, you are not too far from that, are you?

N.G. Yeah, just like few points, but I have to defend a few from the last year, so we will see, I will fight for the Australian Open.

So maybe we will see you in Australia next year?

N.G. I hope so. *smiles*

Anyway, I think that yesterday was your birthday…

N.G. yes…

So happy birthday!

N.G. *laughs* thanks!

Did you have time to enjoy it?

N.G. No, you know, it’s always tough to celebrate birthdays on a tournament, because you are always practicing the whole day or waiting for matches…yesterday I played doubles, so it was good because we won, so it’s been the likes of a present…*laughs again* but it was like a normal day for me…

Next week are you playing another tournament or just a bit of rest?

N.G. Yes, I signed in for a 50k + H challenger in Este, so I will go there from here.

Oh ok…well, you know, playing ITFs you are always around and there are very few combined events, so it’s hard to…well first of all, do you have a girlfriend?

N.G. No, not yet. *giggles*

Ok, so, do you think it’s hard to get to know players? I mean, women players…

N.G. Mmm…I don’t think so, I have a lot friends and sometimes we meet at tournaments, it’s easier with other guys though. Sometimes I travel with my coach, so it’s good for me, but I have many many friends on tour, which is really good.

Of course…can I ask you who are your best friends on tour?

N.G. I mean, I have a really good relationship with the Czech guys and also from Slovakia, but that’s why I am playing in Italy so that I can meet some Italian guys and have new friends, you know.

Has it ever happened to you that a girl or a play approached you, like for a date or to ask you out?

N.G. No, no. *giggles* I mean, I try to keep in touch with the girls at home, but I am abroad for a long time, but when I am at hope I try to meet every friend and also girls and I also try to also…how to say it…turn off from tennis a bit, so I try to relax a bit at home and feel good.

I see, well, thank you and good luck for tomorrow.

N.G. Thank you.

ATP Challenger Cordenons: day 2 review

After the unexpected death of the creator of this tournament and chief of the venue, the event struggled to find money and the prize money suffered a downgrade, but in spite of that the Open del Friuli welcomed quite a strong field with 4 top 100 players and Volandri, number 102.
Tuesday witnessed quite a nice number of enjoyable matches and surprises:

Alessandro Giannessi def (4) Adrian Ungur 3-6 7-6 (2) 6-1

The 23 year-old Italian came to this match with the knowledge that despite the huge gap between his ranking and his opponent he could have his chances, as in the previous matches they were tied with one win each. Giannessi started well and could take a break lead early in the set, but the Romanian couldn't react any better: his one handed backhand grew harder and more accurate and there was little the Italian could do whenever Ungur was accelerating from this wing.
In no time Ungur won the break back and started to sail full speed to take the first set, while Giannessi fell in a cloud on negativity, swearing, complaining on calls a smashing balls to the back fence. From 3-2 up, the Italian suddenly found himself 6-3 down and with the desperate need for a reaction in the second set, which eventually came.
Most of the games saw no risks for the one serving, because both guys served really well and up to 3-3 no break points were given. Then in the 7th game Giannessi let his negativity haunt him again and Ungur tried his best to finally break his opponent's serve by chasing after every ball and attacking whenever he had a chance. Giannessi seemed to suffer this situation and was forced to face several break points, but thanks to inspired drop shots he could save them and finally hold. Ungur struggled a bit on his serve too, but in the end there were no breaks and only a tie-break could close the set.
As to follow the path of the last games Giannessi finally got rid of his negative thoughts and attitude and played an awesome tie, whilst Ungur looked tired and there was little he could do from that moment on.
Once he lost the tiebreak he went on serving his first game out in the third, but he immediately called the trainer for some back pain and once back on court he completely gave up the fight, as it was impossible for him to chase Giannessi's sharp angles the match was set for a fast ending in favor of the Italian that moves to the second round.

 (Q) Janez Semrajc def (6) Antonio Veic 4-6 6-4 6-4

Probably the biggest surprise of the day, considering the very unlucky seasons that the Slovene has just left behind and the good results that Veic reached in the past weeks. All in all, Janez came from two tough battles in the qualies, but knew he could have chances against Veic, because he had won their only match before on a future, but that was before the illness that forced Semrajc out.
The match was very intense and it needed almost three hours to finally decide the winner, but it was a great quality one, with the Slovene finding energy everyone thought he might simply not have in the third set, when Veic could get a break lead and he started to be more effective and powerful with his shots. In that moment Semrajc reacted with a good service game and finally by fighting point-to-point to break back by passing with superb backhands all the attempts of the Croat to close at the n
et. The Slovene himself showed great touch at the net and once he finally hold for 5-4 in the decider, he gave everything on return and he finally could snatch this great win to boost his confidence and hopes in this comeback. After the match Semrajc agreed for an interview where you can hear a lot more about his come back and his thoughts on this match, you can find it here.

Potito Starace def (WC) Filippo Baldi 6-2 6-2

There's really very little to be said about this match, because the match itself was never in doubt to end in straight easy sets for the more experienced Starace, who's clearly on a bad moment of his career, but he still has the shots and the consistency to be safe from being upsetted by a youngster, not even as talented as Baldi.
As for Filippo, there's a lot of raw talent for sure, he has a great first serve for his age as he hit a couple of 195+ km/h serves, he has a good shot selection, but he still lacks of a general view of the game and a bigger consistency as he often gives away points he should not. What's more he should find a calmer attitude, because smashing rackets, swearing and self-mockeries channel way too much energy and concentration onto the wrong aspects of the game and in the end he can't play as well as he is capable of.