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2011: Tour Down Under - move to Adelaide

11K views 258 replies 8 participants last post by  chewy 
#1 · (Edited)
Brutal. :eek:
Marin Cilic in first round.
[6] Janko Tipsarevic (SRB) - Eduardo Schwank (ARG)
[WC] Yuki Bhambri (IND) - Qualifier
Alejandro Falla (COL) - Rui Machado (POR)
Kei Nishikori (JPN) - [2] Marin Cilic (CRO)

Tough luck.
 
#57 ·
Re: 2011: Tour Down Under starts in Chennai

Kei's 7 nil tiebreak game was impressive.

Cilic's fitness is questionable here, but well done to Kei for the upset!
 
#62 ·
Re: 2011: Tour Down Under starts in Chennai

did Kei manage to hit the tennis balls with the cricket bat after the win?! that is a fun idea, heard Kei say "i'm not sure i can" lol
the streams immediately cut off...
 
#64 ·
Re: 2011: Tour Down Under starts in Chennai

Great start of the season for Kei!! :yeah:

Dana, thanx for the thread!! :worship: :hug:

Actually, I caught the match from midway into the first set, but my connection was bad so I couldn't come to the boards while watching the very unstable live streaming, and then after the match I had some stuffs to do and so on.
The first set made me very nervous---Kei had no first serve, he looked nervous himself, and then the trainer came out to tape his thigh...! But the second set was much closer and he really did well to fight off all those BPs, especially in that 11th game. The 7-0 rout in the TB was kinda not too surprising the way Kei was putting pressure on Cilic. The third set was almost a one-way traffic. Cilic looked drained while Kei was playing more and more freely and aggressively.
I think Kei played a bit too defensive in the first set. Loved all those winners---lobs, drop shots, BH volleys, slices, etc---that started flying from his racket late in the second set. That's his tennis I love and I hope he'll stick to it even if he plays more percentage tennis when things don't go his way.

Hope his leg is OK and he will go deep in the draw! :D
 
#65 ·
Re: 2011: Tour Down Under starts in Chennai

:)

http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2011/01/1/Chennai-Monday-Nishikori-Stuns-Cilic.aspx

Nishikori Upsets Defending Champ Cilic
Chennai, India
by ATP Staff

World No. 98 Kei Nishikori made a dream start to the 2011 ATP World Tour season as he ousted two-time defending champion Marin Cilic, 4-6, 7-6(0), 6-2, in the first round of the Aircel Chennai Open on Monday.

The 21-year-old Nishikori, who has added Brad Gilbert as a consultant on his coaching team this season, shook off the loss of the first set to hold his nerve in the second set tie-break, winning it to love to level the match. The top Japanese player then broke Cilic’s serve for the first time at the start of the third set and went on to break again in the seventh game to clinch victory in two hours and 33 minutes.

"It's my first match, with a new coach, new clothes, so I was nervous before the match but I'm really happy," said Nishikori. "I haven't seen the draw beyond Cilic, but everyone can play well and my next match will be tough.

"I've changed my tennis a bit - I am trying not to miss as many easy balls, and trying raise my percentage tennis. We just started with Brad. He's coming next week to Adelaide actually. He's a great coach and [has] good with tactics. He knows a lot of things so it should be an advantage for me."

Last year, Nishikori climbed 322 places in the South African Airways ATP Rankings after overcoming a right elbow injury. As well as winning four ATP Challenger Tour titles, he also reached the third round at the US Open after battling past Cilic in a 4hr., 59., marathon second-round match.

The No. 14-ranked Cilic saw his 10-match winning streak in Chennai come to an end, having won back-to-back titles in 2009 (d. Devvarman) and 2010 (d. Wawrinka). After winning the title last year, the Croatian went on to achieve his best Grand Slam result by reaching the Australian Open semi-finals (l. to Murray).

[...]


http://tennis.com/articles/templates/news.aspx?articleid=9511&zoneid=25

Nishikori upsets Cilic in first round of Chennai Open
AP - Monday, January 3, 2011

CHENNAI, India (AP)—Marin Cilic’s preparations for this month’s Australian Open suffered a setback Monday when he lost to Kei Nishikori of Japan 4-6, 7-6 (0), 6-2 in the first round of the Chennai Open.

The second-seeded Cilic broke his opponent in the fifth game to grab the opening set, but Nishikori turned the match on its head with an inspired fightback to send the two-time defending champion packing.

In other matches, Robert Kendrick of the United States, Bjorn Phau of Germany, and Stephane Robert of France, recorded straight-set victories to make the second round.

“I’m a little bit disappointed the way I have started the year. I wouldn’t say I played too bad … I didn’t have luck at crucial moments, the key points he played better than me,” Cilic said.

The 98th-ranked Nishikori, who defeated Cilic in a tough five-setter in the second round of the U.S. Open last year, outpaced the Croatian in a dramatic second set in which he saved three break points in the 11th game.

“The first two sets were very close. (My) losing the second set, he took the momentum from me,” Cilic said. “The momentum he got, the way he played after that, I could not come back.”

The 21-year-old Nishikori won the tiebreak without dropping a point and then broke Cilic in the first game of the third set to take an early grip on the decider before serving out for the match after breaking again in the seventh game.

“I was nervous, first match for me … new coach (Brad Gilbert), new trainer. (But) it was a good match today,” Nishikori said of the opening set.

The Florida-based Japanese attributed his fightback to changes he has made to his game.

“Not to miss easy balls, not doing crazy stuff… (to play) more percentage tennis,” he said. “In the second set I tried to make most of my first serves… I was making him move.”

No. 6-ranked Tomas Berdych heads the field and the Czech will open the new season on Tuesday with a first round match against Frederico Gil of Portugal.
 
#68 · (Edited)
Re: 2011: Tour Down Under starts in Chennai

Hmm, no match for Kei on Wednesday. R2 on Thursday it seems.
Or maybe they will announce the schedule for matches on other courts later?
http://www.atpworldtour.com/posting/2011/891/op.pdf


Lots of young players in action this week. It's amazing to think that Kei was younger than Tomic, Harrison or Bhambri now when he won Delray Beach!
 
#69 ·
Re: 2011: Tour Down Under starts in Chennai

Second match on Centre Court on Thursday. :)
Ganbatte, Kei!! :yeah:

STADIUM
Matches Start At: 5:00 pm

Janko TIPSAREVIC (SRB) vs Alexandre KUDRYAVTSEV (RUS)
Alejandro FALLA (COL) vs Kei NISHIKORI (JPN)
Robin HAASE (NED)/David MARTIN (USA) vs Rohan BOPANNA (IND)/Aisam-Ul-Haq QURESHI (PAK)
Stanislas WAWRINKA (SUI) vs David GOFFIN (BEL)

http://www.atpworldtour.com/posting/2011/891/op.pdf
 
#70 ·
Re: 2011: Tour Down Under starts in Chennai

I like this headline. :)

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/sports/nishikori-smiling-assassin-334

Nishikori a smiling assassin
January 5th, 2011

Kei Nishikori has gatecrashed Marin Cilic’s party. The 21-year-old Japanese stormed into the elite list of Chennai Open tennis tournament by packing off two-time defending champion in the opener on Monday.

Despite a big scalp, Nishikori is not thinking too far on his maiden trip to Chennai. “Frankly, I haven’t thought beyond Cilic. I didn’t see the draw at all. But I’m not taking any match lightly as they are going to come at me hard. My aim is to get as many matches as possible before the Australian Open,” said the smiling assassin.

Born to an engineer father and a piano teacher, Nishikori picked up a racquet at a tender age of five. When he turned 13, his parents sent him to pursue his dream at Florida’s Nick Bollettieri Academy, the factory that churned out the likes of Andre Agassi, Jim Courier, Maria Sharapova et al.

Nishikori said his decision to shift to the US not only helped him realise his potential, it also improved his personality and communication. “I played tennis all the time — alongside around 800 other children — and although it was hard work, the top players that train at the academy really showed me just how hard I needed to work to become a professional player,” said the humble youngster.

Nishikori made his ATP debut at Los Angeles in July 2007 and advanced to his maiden quarterfinal at Indianapolis the following week. He finished the year with a 3-5 record and was ranked No. 286.

In 2008, Nishikori became the youngest player in the top-100, courtesy his triumph against all odds at the Delray Beach (US). He also became the first Asian to win the ATP Newcomer Of the Year Award in 2008. His meteoric caused ripples in Japan where the tennis interest had dwindled after the country’s first champion Shuzo Matsuoka retired in 1998. Matsuoka was ranked as high as 46.
Nishikori then announced the ‘Project 45’. “I always wanted to surpass Matsuoka. I was on course until an elbow injury came as a stumbling block in February 2009. I had to withdraw from three grand slams. I spent the following year doing some catch-up and was happy to end the year in top-100 again,” he said.

The amicable Japanese recently took ace coach Brad Gilbert on board. The American, who has shaped the games of Agassi, Andy Roddick and Andy Murray, will work as a consultant and travel with Nishikori on the Tour starting from Australian Open. Nishikori is excited to work with Gilbert. “I met Gilbert last December before spending four days training at his home. I know training under a big name adds pressure on me. People are going to expect a lot from me. He is a master tactician and I am sure my game will flourish further,” added Nishikori.

DC


And another one:

http://www.newsdowntown.com/2011/01/nishikori-knocks-out-defending-champ.html

Nishikori knocks out defending champ Cilic from Chennai Open
Posted by Sonali Patel on Monday, January 3, 2011
Labels: Sports News

Don't go by Kei Nishikori’s slight build and smiling face. On Monday, the 21- year- old Japanese star played the role of ‘ Terminator’ to perfection as he rocked the Chennai Open by ousting second seed Marin Cilic 4-6, 7-6 (7/0), 6-2 in the first round.

Just before the match, Nishikori was running outside the centre court and gently warming up. Even at 5pm, when play should have begun, he was outside and running short steps. Little did people know that in a matter of hours, Nishikori would be running and sliding on court to demolish the tournament favourite from Croatia in a match where the Chennai fans cheered lustily for the underdog.

Nishikori was almost apologetic after the match. “ I know it’s bad for the tournament that Cilic lost but there’s nothing I can do about it,” said Nishikori.

To be sure, Nishikori has been gearing up for this event in the right way. A new trainer, a new coach and new clothes, things worked out well for him. But then, for someone who has the resources to afford a coach like Brad Gilbert, this was kind of expected. Agreed, Nishikori beat the same opponent at the US Open. But tonight it was more about serving better and playing smart which helped Nishikori pull it off.

Japan has never produced tennis players in an assembly line fashion like their famous cars. Perhaps, after Shuzo Matsuoka and Takao Suzuki, Nishikori is the one to watch for. As one who had plummeted to a career- low 420 rank at the end of 2009, he has cranked himself up well. Last year, he jumped 322 spots on the ATP computer to finish at 98 on the ATP computer. Nishikori is a typical Nick Bolletterrei Tennis Academy product.

Good serves, a solid forehand and consistency has worked well for him. Tonight, he whipped up the action with a smarter first serve percentage and added a smooth backhand as he destroyed Cilic’s dream of making it a hat- trick of Chennai Open titles.

The 5- 5 game in the second set was long and that’s where momentum swung Nishikori’s way. “ I think I played well there and there was no problem for me in the tie- break,” he said. But the Japanese star is not looking too far ahead. “ I was not looking beyond Cilic in the draw,” said Nishikori. “ I was in fact surprised so many people were backing me, like the US Open.” Surprisingly, the opponent then, too, was Cilic.

Talking about the decision to hire Gilbert, Nishikori said it all happened at the IMG academy in Florida last December. “ I played with Brad and after that we trained together for a few days at my home ( in the US). He will join me in Adelaide next,” said Nishikori, who wants to be back in the top 50 rankings.

From the Indian point of view there was disappointment as Robin Haase and David Martin beat Somdev Devvarman and Sanam Singh 5- 7, 6- 2 and 10- 8 ( super tie- breaker) in doubles first round. On a day when Cilic struggled for rhythm, it was clear the pressure was on him as the favourite. However, he did not attribute that to the defeat.

Cilic said: “ The first two sets were close and I didn’t win any point in the tie- break. Nishikori deserved to win.” “ Yes, I am a little bit disappointed I lost,” added Cilic.

On the outside courts, results in singles were on predictable lines. Robert Kendrick from California beat Denis Gremelmayr from Germany 7- 6, 6- 4 to enter the second round. The highlight of the match was Kendrick’s first serve percentage of 69. Another regular visitor to Chennai, Bjorn Phau from Germany was too good for Italian Simone Bolelli as he won 6- 2, 6- 2 in the first round.
 
#71 ·
Re: 2011: Tour Down Under starts in Chennai

Kei *1-1 :)
The all-white UNIQLO shirt looks too plain...

On the second court, Sugita has narrowly lost to Haase. But he fought well.
Hope Sugita and Ito, both born in 1988, will be a fixture in top 100 soon too, and of course Soeda.
 
#72 ·
Re: 2011: Tour Down Under starts in Chennai

DF and it's 1-2* :(
 
#73 ·
Re: 2011: Tour Down Under starts in Chennai

Kei had 2 BPs but Falla holds. :( *1-3
Well, it's still early days...
 
#75 ·
Re: 2011: Tour Down Under starts in Chennai

*2-4

Falla is Kei's first ATP scalp. He beat the Colombian in R1 of Indianapolis in 2007, the second ATP tournament Kei qualified when he was still 17. He's 2-0 against Falla H-to-H.
Hope he'll make it 3-0 today but Falla has come a long way since then too...
 
#76 ·
Re: 2011: Tour Down Under starts in Chennai

2nd DF. :rolleyes:

But he holds. 3-4*

Hi Dana, it's not like if we didn't know he's a slow starter... :lol:
 
#78 ·
Re: 2011: Tour Down Under starts in Chennai

Hmm Kei is too quick to make errors today...

Shame he couldn't win the rally at 40-30.

*3-5 :shrug:
 
#79 ·
Re: 2011: Tour Down Under starts in Chennai

Aw Dana, I hate it when my faves play at the same time!
Hope Tsonga wins too. :)
 
#80 ·
Re: 2011: Tour Down Under starts in Chennai

SP... maybe the faster he forgets about this set the better... :sad:
 
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