Generali Open / Kitzbühel
Sunday 25 July
Rain, Rain, Semis
After Saturday was entirely washed out due to rain, the Generali Open got all three courts back in the mix and started to play catch-up Sunday morning. Schuettler vs Massu was on Centre Court #1 at 10:30am for their semifinal, but unfortunately it was all Massu as he won 63 63. He will now play later this afternoon in the finals which has been adjusted to a best-of-three-set match.
Friday 23 July
Schuettler Into Semis
Rainer Schuettler went through to the semifinals today with a 76(6) 62 win over Florian Mayer. He will next play Nicolas Massu on Centre Court #1. They are the third of four matches on the day, the 2nd match (Gaudio v Verdasco) is set to start not before 2pm.
This will be the fourth meeting between the two and Massu holds a 2-1 edge. Here are their prior results:2004 World Team Championship Clay Dusseldorf Massu 46 64 26; 2003 Paris TMS Carpet R16 Schuettler 64 75; and 2002 Stockholm Hard R16 Massu 64 67(4) 36.
Rainer had top billing on the ATP main page today as well with this blurb:
Top seed Rainer Schuettler of Germany is through to his first semifinal at the Generali Open in Kitzbuehel after a straight-set win over sixth-seeded countryman Florian Mayer, 76(6) 62. Schuettler next plays last year's finalist Chilean Nicolas Massu who fought his way past Mariano Zabaleta of Argentina 76(4) 76(6). Roland Garros champion Gaston Gaudio clipped Luis Horna of Peru 76(5) 76(1) to reach his fourth semifinal in as many tournaments. The second-seeded Gaudio next meets Fernando Verdasco who won his quarterfinal match against fellow Spaniard
Rainer quotes from today: "I started pretty well. I was a break up and had two set points at 5-3 serving. He broke me and got back into the match and then it was very, very close. The first set could have gone either way, but in the second set I put a lot of pressure on him. I played much better and much more aggressive. I’m happy to be in the semis."
About the semifinals: "It will be a tough match. Mariano Zabaleta just won Bastad, and Nicolas Massu played in the final here last year, so both of them are great player especially on clay. It will be a tough match but I am looking forward to play tomorrow."
Here is the link to the ATP news report for Friday.
This was on the event's site Friday night:
Kitzbühel, 23.07.2004. „Es ist gar nicht so einfach, hier in Kitzbühel zu spielen“, sagte Rainer Schüttler nach seinem 7:6, 6:2-Sieg beim Generali open Kitzbühel über Florian Mayer. Auch wenn sich die Deutsche Nummer eins am Ende klar gegen den Sensations-Viertelfinalisten von Wimbledon durchsetzen konnte, bot ihm der Shooting-Star aus Beureuth in Satz eins doch mehr als nur Kontra. „Kurzzeitig hatte Florian die Oberhand gewonnen, nachdem ich unnötig zwei Satzbälle beim Stand von 5:3 vergeben hatte“, erklärte Schüttler. Im zweiten Satz sorgte der in Kitzbühel an Nummer eins gesetzte Schüttler jedoch für klare Verhältnisse: Die Deutsche Nummer eins machte mehr Druck und ließ dem Deutschen Senkrechtstarter kaum noch Chancen. Mayer unterdessen baute mental ab und musste sich von dem nun überragend servierenden Korbacher beinahe eine Lehrstunde erteilen lassen.
„Das ist das zweitbeste Jahr meiner Karriere“, wehrte sich Schüttler nach seinem Sieg über Mayer gegen Fragen der Journalisten, die wissen wollten, warum es denn 2004 bisher nicht so besonders liefe. „Natürlich war 2003 ein überragendes Jahr, das nicht so leicht zu toppen ist“, sagte Schüttler, der letztes Jahr unter anderem im Finale der Australian Open stand, in Tokyo und Lyon gewann und im Champions Race am Ende auf Platz sechs stand. „Deshalb läuft diese Saison doch aber nicht schlecht.“ Denn auch wenn Schüttler 2004 bereits eine Serie von Erstrunden-Niederlagen hinter sich hat, stand der Korbacher im Halbfinale von Monte Carlo, Halle und zuletzt Gstaad, liegt im Entry Ranking als bester Deutscher auf Rang acht und hat dieses Jahr bereits 525.369 US-Dollar Preisgeld eingespielt.
Im morgigen Halbfinale des mit einer Million Dollar dotierten ATP-Turniers trifft Schüttler auf Vorjahres-Finalist Nicolas Massu aus Chile, der am Abend vor fantastischer Kulisse den Argentinier Mariano Zabaleta denkbar knapp 7:6, 7:6 geschlagen hatte. „Das wird keine einfache Aufgabe“, weiß der 28-Jährige. „Massu ist ein hervorragender Sandplatz-Spieler.“ Schüttlers Strategie: „Von Anfang an aggressiv Druck machen und ihm meinen Stil aufdrücken.“ Im zweiten Halbfinale trifft Paris-Sieger Gaston Gaudio auf Fernando Verdasco. Verdasco setze sich heute mit 6:2 und 6:3 souverän gegen seinen Landsmann Feliciano Lopez durch.
Thursday 22 July
Rainer Advances
After taking the first set 60, Rainer Schuettler advanced when David Sanchez retired due to hip and thigh pain. Rainer is now in the quarterfinals where he'll face countryman Florian Mayer. Mayer advanced after defeating Juan Monaco 64 64.
Schuettler and Mayer have met only once on court, recently at Gstaad (clay) with Rainer winning 63 62. This season Mayer has won Mexico City, was a finalist at Wolfsburg while reaching the semifinals at both Estoril and Braunschweig. He also reached the quarterfinals at Wimbledon - yet poor Florian still doesn't have any bio info on the ATP site.
They play Friday as the third match of four on Centre Court (#1). Play begins at 11am. Doubles action is on Centre Court (#2) and starts at 1pm.
I have one picture from yesterday to add that I can only upload from another computer. Will post it as soon as I can.
There's Something About Rainer... Articles
Wednesday 21 July
Schuettler Survives
After losing the first set 36, Rainer hung in throughout the 2nd and forced a tiebreak - which he eeked out with a 15-13 win and then put away the match 60 in the third to make it to the next round. He'll face Spain's David Sanchez on Thursday. They are on Centre Court (#1) and are the 3rd match of the day (match before them is to start 'not before' 1:30pm).
This will be the first meeting between Schuettler and Sanchez. This year Sanchez was a semifinalist at Vina del Mar and St. Poelten and a quarterfinalist at Amersfoort. He reached the doubles semifinals in Valencia (w/Andreev).
There's Something About Rainer... Articles
Tuesday 20 July
The German team of Rainer Schuettler and Karsten Braasch took Suk and Damm to a tiebreak in the first set, but ultimately lost, 76(9) 63. In singles, Rainer will play Andreas Seppi, a wildcard from Italy. Seppi defeated Tabara 76(4) 63 earlier today.
Their match is "not before" 7:30pm Wednesday on Centre Court (One). Maybe check out the webcams for this one.
Monday 19 July
Top Seed in Austria
Rainer Schuettler and part of the ATP remain in Europe for the Generali Open. Schuettler is the top seed at this event, therefore receiving a first round bye. It appears he'll play on Wednesday.
In doubles, Rainer is teaming with fellow German Karsten Braasch. They will face defending champs and top seeded Cyril Suk and Martin Damm in the first round. They will hit the courts on Tuesday as the 4th and final match of the day on Centre Court #2. Play on that court starts at 11:15. The second match there is between Michal Tabara and Andreas Seppi - the winner to face Schuettler in the next round. Schuettler has never faced Seppi before, but did lose to Tabara in their only meeting - way back in 1996.
On the event's site is a link for a webcam and a live ticker.
There's Something About Rainer... Articles
Schuettler Shots... Photos
None yet, hopefully some will come from the Tues Player Party
Rain, Rain, Semis
After Saturday was entirely washed out due to rain, the Generali Open got all three courts back in the mix and started to play catch-up Sunday morning. Schuettler vs Massu was on Centre Court #1 at 10:30am for their semifinal, but unfortunately it was all Massu as he won 63 63. He will now play later this afternoon in the finals which has been adjusted to a best-of-three-set match.
Friday 23 July
Schuettler Into Semis
Rainer Schuettler went through to the semifinals today with a 76(6) 62 win over Florian Mayer. He will next play Nicolas Massu on Centre Court #1. They are the third of four matches on the day, the 2nd match (Gaudio v Verdasco) is set to start not before 2pm.
This will be the fourth meeting between the two and Massu holds a 2-1 edge. Here are their prior results:2004 World Team Championship Clay Dusseldorf Massu 46 64 26; 2003 Paris TMS Carpet R16 Schuettler 64 75; and 2002 Stockholm Hard R16 Massu 64 67(4) 36.
Rainer had top billing on the ATP main page today as well with this blurb:
Top seed Rainer Schuettler of Germany is through to his first semifinal at the Generali Open in Kitzbuehel after a straight-set win over sixth-seeded countryman Florian Mayer, 76(6) 62. Schuettler next plays last year's finalist Chilean Nicolas Massu who fought his way past Mariano Zabaleta of Argentina 76(4) 76(6). Roland Garros champion Gaston Gaudio clipped Luis Horna of Peru 76(5) 76(1) to reach his fourth semifinal in as many tournaments. The second-seeded Gaudio next meets Fernando Verdasco who won his quarterfinal match against fellow Spaniard
Rainer quotes from today: "I started pretty well. I was a break up and had two set points at 5-3 serving. He broke me and got back into the match and then it was very, very close. The first set could have gone either way, but in the second set I put a lot of pressure on him. I played much better and much more aggressive. I’m happy to be in the semis."
About the semifinals: "It will be a tough match. Mariano Zabaleta just won Bastad, and Nicolas Massu played in the final here last year, so both of them are great player especially on clay. It will be a tough match but I am looking forward to play tomorrow."
Here is the link to the ATP news report for Friday.
This was on the event's site Friday night:
Kitzbühel, 23.07.2004. „Es ist gar nicht so einfach, hier in Kitzbühel zu spielen“, sagte Rainer Schüttler nach seinem 7:6, 6:2-Sieg beim Generali open Kitzbühel über Florian Mayer. Auch wenn sich die Deutsche Nummer eins am Ende klar gegen den Sensations-Viertelfinalisten von Wimbledon durchsetzen konnte, bot ihm der Shooting-Star aus Beureuth in Satz eins doch mehr als nur Kontra. „Kurzzeitig hatte Florian die Oberhand gewonnen, nachdem ich unnötig zwei Satzbälle beim Stand von 5:3 vergeben hatte“, erklärte Schüttler. Im zweiten Satz sorgte der in Kitzbühel an Nummer eins gesetzte Schüttler jedoch für klare Verhältnisse: Die Deutsche Nummer eins machte mehr Druck und ließ dem Deutschen Senkrechtstarter kaum noch Chancen. Mayer unterdessen baute mental ab und musste sich von dem nun überragend servierenden Korbacher beinahe eine Lehrstunde erteilen lassen.
„Das ist das zweitbeste Jahr meiner Karriere“, wehrte sich Schüttler nach seinem Sieg über Mayer gegen Fragen der Journalisten, die wissen wollten, warum es denn 2004 bisher nicht so besonders liefe. „Natürlich war 2003 ein überragendes Jahr, das nicht so leicht zu toppen ist“, sagte Schüttler, der letztes Jahr unter anderem im Finale der Australian Open stand, in Tokyo und Lyon gewann und im Champions Race am Ende auf Platz sechs stand. „Deshalb läuft diese Saison doch aber nicht schlecht.“ Denn auch wenn Schüttler 2004 bereits eine Serie von Erstrunden-Niederlagen hinter sich hat, stand der Korbacher im Halbfinale von Monte Carlo, Halle und zuletzt Gstaad, liegt im Entry Ranking als bester Deutscher auf Rang acht und hat dieses Jahr bereits 525.369 US-Dollar Preisgeld eingespielt.
Im morgigen Halbfinale des mit einer Million Dollar dotierten ATP-Turniers trifft Schüttler auf Vorjahres-Finalist Nicolas Massu aus Chile, der am Abend vor fantastischer Kulisse den Argentinier Mariano Zabaleta denkbar knapp 7:6, 7:6 geschlagen hatte. „Das wird keine einfache Aufgabe“, weiß der 28-Jährige. „Massu ist ein hervorragender Sandplatz-Spieler.“ Schüttlers Strategie: „Von Anfang an aggressiv Druck machen und ihm meinen Stil aufdrücken.“ Im zweiten Halbfinale trifft Paris-Sieger Gaston Gaudio auf Fernando Verdasco. Verdasco setze sich heute mit 6:2 und 6:3 souverän gegen seinen Landsmann Feliciano Lopez durch.
Thursday 22 July
Rainer Advances
After taking the first set 60, Rainer Schuettler advanced when David Sanchez retired due to hip and thigh pain. Rainer is now in the quarterfinals where he'll face countryman Florian Mayer. Mayer advanced after defeating Juan Monaco 64 64.
Schuettler and Mayer have met only once on court, recently at Gstaad (clay) with Rainer winning 63 62. This season Mayer has won Mexico City, was a finalist at Wolfsburg while reaching the semifinals at both Estoril and Braunschweig. He also reached the quarterfinals at Wimbledon - yet poor Florian still doesn't have any bio info on the ATP site.
They play Friday as the third match of four on Centre Court (#1). Play begins at 11am. Doubles action is on Centre Court (#2) and starts at 1pm.
I have one picture from yesterday to add that I can only upload from another computer. Will post it as soon as I can.
- Canada.com brief of the day
- San Francisco Gate recap of Austria
- PR Newswire release on Whitney Houston and the September China Open.
Wednesday 21 July
Schuettler Survives
After losing the first set 36, Rainer hung in throughout the 2nd and forced a tiebreak - which he eeked out with a 15-13 win and then put away the match 60 in the third to make it to the next round. He'll face Spain's David Sanchez on Thursday. They are on Centre Court (#1) and are the 3rd match of the day (match before them is to start 'not before' 1:30pm).
This will be the first meeting between Schuettler and Sanchez. This year Sanchez was a semifinalist at Vina del Mar and St. Poelten and a quarterfinalist at Amersfoort. He reached the doubles semifinals in Valencia (w/Andreev).
- TennisMagazin.de super-mini-blurb from Wednesday
- Site's mini recap, not sure what it says, but it has to do with the Seppi match
- Sport.ard mini piece
- Sport1.de interview with Rainer, and then the link for Part Two
Tuesday 20 July
The German team of Rainer Schuettler and Karsten Braasch took Suk and Damm to a tiebreak in the first set, but ultimately lost, 76(9) 63. In singles, Rainer will play Andreas Seppi, a wildcard from Italy. Seppi defeated Tabara 76(4) 63 earlier today.
Their match is "not before" 7:30pm Wednesday on Centre Court (One). Maybe check out the webcams for this one.
Monday 19 July
Top Seed in Austria
Rainer Schuettler and part of the ATP remain in Europe for the Generali Open. Schuettler is the top seed at this event, therefore receiving a first round bye. It appears he'll play on Wednesday.
In doubles, Rainer is teaming with fellow German Karsten Braasch. They will face defending champs and top seeded Cyril Suk and Martin Damm in the first round. They will hit the courts on Tuesday as the 4th and final match of the day on Centre Court #2. Play on that court starts at 11:15. The second match there is between Michal Tabara and Andreas Seppi - the winner to face Schuettler in the next round. Schuettler has never faced Seppi before, but did lose to Tabara in their only meeting - way back in 1996.
On the event's site is a link for a webcam and a live ticker.
- Sports Network brief recap of Monday
- BBC Sport similar blurb, even smaller
None yet, hopefully some will come from the Tues Player Party
posted by Sprtswrtr @ 11:41 PM
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