Brasil Open - Costa Do Sauipe
Sunday 14 September
Schuettler falls to Schalken 26 46 in Finals
- Tourney's writeup of final.
- The ATP's article
- ESPN mention
- German writeup
- Mini Rainer article in Portuguese. It essentially says that Rainer had a tougher semifinal than Schalken and that could have been an issue. Schuettler also commented on the heat, I think saying that it was quite strong, and that the match "went very difficult for me today. He was better." He did not say if he would return for the 2004 event which will now be in February because of scheduling and the Australian Open in that time frame. He did say that he as a person could come back to Brazil at any time.
- Sportbild German article
- BBC's mention
Video of match, includes match point
Trophy ceremony with nice comments on Rainer's year by Sjeng
Photos from finals
Pictures from trophy presentation
Saturday 13 September
Rainer Prevails Over Guga 64 26 75, Faces Schalken For Title
In a great match in front of a rowdy crowd, Schuettler defeated Gustavo Kuerten for the first time in his career and now plays Sjeng Schalken in the final. Schalken faced Etlis earlier in the day, who retired, saying that he wasn't injured, but just too tired and "ran out of gas."
Rainer struggled a bit on his serve and had some double-faults, but did have 7 aces in the match.
In what appears to becoming habit, Rainer goes against Schalken... a player he faced just over a week ago in the US Open. Schalken has the best of Rainer in 2003 (both in round of 16 meetings) with a straight set win at Wimbledon (57 46 57) and a four setter (16 64 36 46) in NY. Rainer's sole victory over the Dutchman came in March 2002 (in Scottsdale, Arizona) where Rainer won the hardcourt match 64 26 62. In that tourney, Schuettler battled Spain and defeated Felix Mantilla (ESP) 60 26 61, Carlos Moya (ESP) 63 36 62 in the quarters and was upset in the semifinals by Juan Balcells(ESP) 36 16. Their first-ever meeting was on clay in Leipzig, Germany for Davis Cup, where Schalken won 63 67(2) 16.
- On the ATP's site, Rainer made headlines again... here is their front page information:
Schuettler, Schalken Reach Brazil Open Final
It's been eight months, but Rainer Schuettler is back in a final after his victory against Gustavo Kuerten, on Saturday at the Brazil Open in Costa Do Sauipe. Schuettler, who was last seen in a final at the Australian Open, defeated the Brazilian star in three sets, 6-4, 2-6, 7-5 victory. In the other semifinal match, No. 2 seed Sjeng Schalken got an easy and quick win against qualifier Gaston Etlis, who retired while trailing 6-1, 2-0 in the match.
This will be the third time this year and fifth time overall that Schuettler and Schalken have done battle on the ATP circuit. Schalken has won the last two meetings, including a fourth round victory last week at the US Open. - Writeup from tourney's site about Rainer beating Guga
- ESPN's mini mention
- German article on reaching finals
- Sport1 German article
- Sport1 German article on facing Schalken
- Sportbild German article
- ESPN Deportes article
- BBC blurb
- Another writeup, this is in Portuguese. However, it basically says... Rainer doesn't consider himself the favorite, despite being the #1 seed. "All the cheering was behind Guga," he said, commenting that he had never played before such a crowd, or even in South America before. He felt that for the most part they were fair, but did mention that there were some line calls that were incorrect. "It had many errors, yes, but those errors happen," said Schuettler. As for Sunday's final "the chances are equal for us, but I go there to seek the trophy. He is going to have to play a lot tennis to defeat me," said Rainer.
- Photos from the match
- Video of Rainer's post-match press conference
- Video clip of match, Portuguese commentary
Friday 12 September
Schuettler faces Guga in Semis, defeats Delgado 61 63
Setting up one of the most anticipated matches of the tournament, Rainer Schuettler will face Gustavo Kuerten in Saturday's semifinal. Let's hope he once again defeats a player he has never beaten (was previously 0-2 vs Delgado) when meeting Kuerten for the fourth time in his career - Kuerten holds a 3-0 record over Rainer. This year, Guga has claimed the Auckland title and was a finalist at TMS Indian Wells.
Their most recent meeting, also a semifinal hardcourt duel, was in March at Indian Wells where Guga won 62 36 62. Earlier in that tournament, Schuettler handled American Andy Roddick with a 63 62 win in the quarterfinals. In the Sydney Olympic Games, Guga and Rainer met for their first hardcourt effort, with Kuerten squirting by at 64 64. May 1999 marked their first encounter, at the clay Hamburg event. Rainer, then on the verge of cracking the Top-50, lost the 16th-ranked Kuerten 46 36 in the round of 16.
The Center Court match is scheduled to begin after 1:00 (local time), it follows the Sjeng Schalken (NED) and Gaston Etlits (ARG) semifinal.
- This was the ATP's photo and headline on the main page today "Rainer Schuettler reached the semis for the sixth time this year." Schuettler Reaches Semis: Rainer Schuettler continued his impressive form on Friday, defeating Ramon Delgado of Paraguay in straight sets at the Brazil Open in Costa Do Sauipe. Going into the match, Delgado held a 2-0 career head-to-head over Schuettler, but was no match for the German who has been on fire all week.
- Here is their more detailed writeup
- Another ESPN mention. Maybe they read my email three months ago complaining about his lack of coverage, though he still isn't listed as a player on their site.
- ESPN Deportes article
- BBC writeup
- Mini BBC mention
- German article
Photos of Rainer vs Delgado
Video of Rainer's Friday match with Delgado
Thursday 11 September
Schuettler over Goldstein 60 61, into Quarterfinals
Today number one seed Rainer Schuettler defeated American Paul Goldstein in two sets 60 61, advancing to the quarterfinals of the event. Schalken, the 2nd seed, also advanced today, in three sets. In his usual modest way, Rainer states that his matches were not as easy as they may have appeared. He next faces Ramon Delgado of Paraguay. Delgado stunned the Brazilian crowd in defeating 7th-seeded Flavio Saretta (BRA) 26 63 63. He has only played in a few events this year, but his most recent two have provided steady results. He advanced to the 2nd round of both TMS in Canada and the US Open. In Canada, he lost in the round of 32 to Sebastien Grosjean (FRA) 36 26, and in NY he avenged that loss with a 64 67(3) 46 76(7) 64 battle. He then took Jonas Bjorkman (SWE) to five sets, before losing 64 46 46 63 36.
Rainer, who has only dropped three games so far, could certainly face more of a challenge in this round - he is 0-2 to Delgado in his career. Schuettler lost in the 2001 US Open (round 64) 46 76 67 62 26 and 57 16 in Key Biscayne in 1999 round 128). Their match is scheduled for 2:45 on Center Court, followed by Vincent Spadea (USA) vs Sjeng Schalken (NED) and defending champ (3rd seeded) Gustavo Kuerten (BRA) vs Ricardo Mello (BRA).
On a side note, rain is now messing with the ATP's BCR Open in Bucharest Romania.
Rainer also was top-billing with this photo on the ATP's site regarding today's win, don't know if it's file or from Brazil.
Schuettler and Schalken advance, from event's own site
Rainer actually mentioned in ESPN blurb, not just boxscore
ATP Results write-up
MSNBC's AP story
Rainer pictures from Goldstein match
Wednesday 10 September
Schuettler defeats Sa 62 60, First Round
Play got into full swing today, and this afternoon on Court One Rainer defeated Andre Sa in straight sets. His match followed the conclusion of two matches that had been suspended earlier in the week due to rain, including countryman Alexander Popp's loss Gregory Carraz (FRA) 16 64 16.
Wed article
Another quick mention
One more blurb
Translate here for those who need it
Another video, interview post-Sa match
On Thursday, Rainer takes on American Paul Goldstein at 2:45 on Center Court. This is the first meeting between the two, Goldstein is currently ranked around 165th. This June he captured the Tallahassee hardcourt singles title, the first of his ATP career. Goldstein's first round match was completed on Monday, so he has had a couple days to prepare for this meeting.
Tuesday 9 September
Rainer's match vs. Sa is now scheduled for "not before 6pm" on Centre Court, Gustavo Kuerten's first match will follow. Guga is the defending champion of this event. Schuettler is not playing doubles at this event, just in the 32-player singles draw. The only sort of updated scoring I can find at this point is here from the ATP. ESPN does update daily ATP results here, you can also click on a specific calendar date to look at match results. I am still looking for a live ticker, for those fortunate enough, it's shown on Brazilian TV live.
Regarding this site, today it made it onto Google, so I am thrilled about that!
Houston Update... Roger Federer and Andre Agassi have solidified their two spots for the year-end spectacular.
Update@Midnight Well, surprise, surprise... Tuesday was rained out. (Here is a shot from Rainer enduring Rain Delay #237 from the US Open vs Schalken, this was around 11pm on Wednesday.) In Brazil, on both days at least he never made it onto the court to wait it out. Organizers are saying that all first round matches will get completed on Wed and they hope to also get the doubles going. They say the tourney will stay on schedule - let's hope! Guga's match is at 4pm, still looking for Rainer's rescheduling info.
Monday 8 September
Monday night was to bring a showcase match for Rainer Schuettler, the top ranked player of this tournament, but of all things... rain delayed the latter part of the day's play.
Rainer's opponent is a native son, Andre Sa, who was granted a wildcard. The two met once before after the US Open in September 2001 with the German winning 64 60 in the semifinals of Hong Kong. Other items of note for that hardcourt event: lost to Marcelo Rios (CHI) in the finals 67(3) 26 and defeated Juan Carlos Ferrero (ESP) 63 76(6) in the quarters.
Here is a listing of all the players for this event. If the draw holds true to form, Rainer could face Sjeng Schalken (NED) in the finals. Sjeng arrived on Sunday with his first match scheduled for Tuesday. Here is a preview of the first round from the tourney's own site.
In one of only two main draw matches able to be completed on Monday, Paul Goldstein (USA) is through after defeating Federico Browne (ARG) 62 60. Goldstein awaits the Schuettler-Sa winner.
Rainer video Three minutes of practice footage from Domingo (Sunday) of "the German" (Alemanha)
posted by Sprtswrtr @ 11:13 PM
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