20th WEEK

Hosts (Germans), among all teams, treated in the most serious manner the 34th edition of the World Team Cup – # designated their two best singles players (Florian Mayer, Philipp Kohlschreiber) and their best doubles player (Philipp Petzschner). The most powerful tennis nation – Spain – sent to Dusseldorf a team which was represented by guys No. 9 and 11 in the country… Germany captured a record 5th title, beating Argentinians in the final for the third time in history (previously in 1989 & 2005). Juan Monaco [38], father figure of the Argentinian triumph last year, injured his left-hand finger during the first final rubber with Mayer [21], and couldn’t play in doubles, which certainly helped the Germans. “Today I played for the Top 20. I was extremely motivated and am happy that I achieved my goal. The first set was very tough with just a few points being decisive. The second set was much easier,” reflected Mayer. “The World Team Championship enjoys a really great importance in our team because we play in Germany and in front of German crowds.”

Nicolas Almagro [12] confirmed his status of the biggest specialist of the “250” clay-court tournaments – he has won the last five tournaments he played on this level (2010 – Bastad, Gstaad; 2011 – Costa Do Sauipe, Buenos Aires, Nice… 10 ATP titles overall). His final match against Victor Hanescu [69], Almagro finished with two consecutive aces. The Romanian took advantage of extremely beneficial draw (qualifier in the first round, then two lucky losers). It’s the second edition of the Open de Nice Côte d’Azur, last year’s finalists – Richard Gasquet and Fernando Verdasco – did not play in the ’11 edition. “I think I’m ready for Roland Garros,” declared Almagro. “I want to rest a little bit now, tomorrow I want to practise, and we’ll see what happens on Tuesday. It’s the most important clay-court tournament of the year and I go with a lot of confidence in my tennis and we’ll see what I can do in Paris.”

Finals

Dusseldorf (WTC)
Germany d. Argentina 2-1

Nice (250)
S: (3)Nicolas Almagro d. Victor Hanescu 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-3
D: (2)E.Butorac/JJ.Rojer d. (4)S.Gonzalez/D.Marrero 6-3, 6-4

Choker of the week:

Sam Querrey – in back to back matches in Dusseldorf, he lost twice serving for straight set victories, was also close to win in three sets (Soderling 7-5, 5-7, 6-7; Kukushkin 6-3, 5-7, 5-7). Against Kukushkin led 4:0* in the 2nd set and had a double match point at 5:3*, in the 2nd set against Soderling was two points away at 5:3* (30-15)!!!

# Points obtained for the winning team (1 singles, 0.5 doubles) during the week:

3  – Florian Mayer
2.5 – Philipp Kohlschreiber
2  – Philipp Petzschner
0.5 – Christopher Kas