[Kristen]

From his match against Tommy Robredo. His English was so cute! It's adorable when people apologise for their english, but he expressed himself really well! Sorry they're a bit blurry...still getting used to my new digital camera

[Hangdog]

Coooooooooooooooooooool
Florent Serra (FRA) d [2] Dominik Hrbaty (SVK) 6-3 6-3
Seems Flo's had a great time relaxing in such a manner...

Kristen and one more time thanks. Don't worry, Serra's photos still is an exclusive thing so they can't be bad.

[*julie*]

He is in final. He beat Hrbaty 6-3 6-3
Well done Flo!!! Good luck for the final

Edit: I had not seen your post Hangdog but anyway... I am really happy

[Hangdog]

Originally Posted by *julie

Edit: I had not seen your post Hangdog but anyway... I am really happy

Either am I lol

ADELAIDE FINAL
2nd match after doubles final, about 3pm of local time
Xavier Malisse vs Florent Serra

As it was said in French press - anyway Florent will have career's highest ranking at Monday's morning. Goooo Flo! You know what to do, the best luck against Malisse.

About previous great match.

Serra played an aggressive, shot-laden brand of tennis to flummox Hrbaty, who looked devoid of his usual rhythm all match.

There were early signs that world No.18 Hrbaty was not at his peak as Serra broke in the first game of the afternoon before adding two more service breaks to take the opening set.

Another breach of his serve at the start of the second set left Hrbaty in a similar situation to the one he had faced against Mark Philippoussis in round two.

However there was no comeback this time as Serra withstood a challenge on his serve at 4-2 and 5-3 before closing it out on his second match point.

(from "The Age")

Post-match words:

"I tried to play aggressively and hit my shots against him and I think he had a few troubles with his ball toss because of the wind," said Serra, "the more I play the good players the more I learn."

"I am very happy of course," said Serra. "After my first title in Bucharest we practice very hard in France. It’s the first tournament of the year and it’s completely different to Europe. It’s 30 degrees and we arrived six days before the tournament (to prepare)".

"I’m very happy with my game to be aggressive, to go to the net and I hope tomorrow will be ok."

Malisse about his tomorrow's rival:

"He (Serra) played unbelievable hitting the ball really well (today). Once you get to the final it’s anybody’s game. Just a little bit of luck maybe and whoever is playing better that day. I know he’s playing very well and he’s beaten a lot of good guys this week."

[Via]

congrats he just won adelaide! how impressive, a frenchie with a good solid head apart from the tennis skills.

... and can make a speech in english in a mad hurry too, wow

[Fergie]

Congrats Flo!

[Marine]

Originally Posted by Via

... and can make a speech in english in a mad hurry too, wow

Let's hope he'll make a final of grand slam.

[silverwhite]

Florent

[Hangdog]

Originally Posted by Via

congrats he just won adelaide! how impressive, a frenchie with a good solid head apart from the tennis skills.

... and can make a speech in english in a mad hurry too, wow

When I had bad tennis tastes? lol It was clear this man can do a lot.
So this time victory also was as easy as the scores? What about his serve? It's a very important component of his game, seems it was great during all the tournament.


Flying Frenchman Florent Serra, the winner of Adelaide 2006

French surprise packet Florent Serra rushed to a 6-3 6-4 victory over Belgian Xavier Malisse in the Adelaide International final on Sunday.

World No.49 Serra banked his second ATP tour title - he also won in Bucharest in September 2005 - on a enervatingly hot afternoon at Memorial Drive.

Serra's determination, best exemplified by his saving of a perfect six from six break points during the final, proved too much for Malisse, who was distracted by a blister and some close line calls.

Favoured pre-match to win a second career title, Malisse held 0-40 in the first game of the final but was unable to convert, and after a succession of comfortable service retentions it was Serra who skipped away.

Helped by some loose strokes from Malisse, the Frenchman broke for 5-3 and proceeded to close out the set.

Steep temperatures had neither player in the mood for a long match, and Malisse's low percentage approach gifted his tighter opponent a steady stream of unforced errors.

Sensing his chance, Serra broke then consolidated for 4-2, a lead he maintained until the finish despite a scare serving for the match.

"I'm very happy to win this week with people like Lleyton in the field," Serra said. "Adelaide was where I played my first ATP tournament (in 2003) so I'm very happy to win here."

"I felt good going into the match but I knew it would be a very difficult match against Xavier because he won his last two matches very easily."

"I won my first ATP tournament in Bucharest at the end of the season and I thought I did it one time so I was more relaxed. I tried to stay concentrated on my game, to hit the ball strongly and play my game and I felt very good."

"My serve helped me a lot today and especially in the first game where I was 0-40 down."

"I'm very happy to win against players like Hrbaty and Robredo but now I have to improve and I hope it will continue."

Thank you Florent for this victory! *I wonder what will be his ranking tomorrow* Let's continue! Though it won't be easy... at all.

Sydney Main Draw (ha-ha... ):

GASQUET, Richard FRA (4) vs ANDREEV, Igor RUS
MALISSE, Xavier BEL vs LUCZAK, Peter AUS (WC)
SANTORO, Fabrice FRA vs SERRA, Florent FRA
TURSUNOV, Dmitry RUS vs ROBREDO, Tommy ESP (6)

[Ome]

As I like (almost) every French players, I would like to say.... Congratulation to Flo and goodluck for the rest of the year

[WinterDreams]

Great job! Congratulations!!!

[*julie*]

Bravo Florent!!!
What a great way to start 2006!
I think from now, other players are going to fear him and they will be right...

[Hangdog]

Found out an interview, very nice one, dated January 4th: http://www.atptennis.com/en/common/T..._adelaide3.WMA. When he speaks without cameras, microphones and journalists around his English is much more better =). But in all this hell he does it great too, with such a nice French accent!


Seems he likes Australia a lot. So, Florent, have the best luck in Sydney and Melbourne. Allez Flo!

Another great news: this week Florent's ranking position is 38th!!

[Sandra]

Originally Posted by Sandra

Flo Adelaide is yours now

Told you
Flo

He also beat Santoro in Sydney forst round

[Via]

hey FYI florent gets david ferrer in the AO draw. well if he must get a seed, this is not too bad.