Sam Querrey was wondering what was going on. He was down a break in the first, and almost down a double break to his good buddy and doubles partner, John Isner. He hadn’t so much whiffed a break point on Isner’s serve. Then, Querrey was a break down in the second set to his doubles partner and travel-mate, and it looked like it was over. But then, pressure got to John Isner. At 5-4 up ready to serve for the match, Isner couldn’t find his first serve, and Querrey finally had got to break point and broke to 5-all. Both held serve to get to a tiebreak, which Querrey got a hold of early with 2 mini-breaks.
The third set had both players on serve until 4-all. Isner was up 40-all, and proceeded to get to deuce and several break points when Querrey hit a deep return and Isner netted the shot to give up the break. Isner tamely hit his racquet to the ground knowing that a single break would be enough to decide the match. Querrey then proceeded to win at 15 when Isner came to net match point down, and Querrey hit a low pass that Isner netted.
This is the third time they’ve met this year, the second time in the finals and Querrey has won both times in the finals, once in Memphis and once here in Belgrade. This is Querrey’s first clay title, and his second clay final (he reached the Houston final).
In the Federer-less Estoril final, the locals had hoped that Frederico Gil would be able to pull it off. After losing the first set, 6-2, Gil took the second set in a tiebreak. With a double break in the third set, it looked like that would be enough to have the local boy win the local tournament, but Montanes proved too tough and broke three times to take the third set, 7-5.
One interesting factoid. With all three ATP 250 events occurring at the same time in Europe, the finals all overlapped. The finals of Estoril, Munich, and Belgrade were all taking place at the same time.
Over in Munich, Cilic was trying to be the first player to win 3 titles this year. Consider that Federer has but one title (although it is a Slam) and Nadal has two titles (Monte Carlo and Rome). Cilic won Chennai and Zagreb earlier this year. Querrey’s win at Belgrade made it his second title of the year (the other being Memphis). Ferrero is a two time winner (Costa do Sauipe and Buenos Aires). Djokovic and Roddick have one title each.
Cilic’s efforts were thwarted by Mikhail Youzhny. This was Youzhny’s third appereance in the Munich final, but his first victory. Youzhny took the first set 6-3. Cilic took the second 6-4. Youzhny took the third 6-4.
Madrid, the finals Masters 1000 event prior to the French, just started. This marks the first appearance of Andy Roddick on clay. Monte Carlo was an optional Masters 1000 and Roddick used his veteran exemption to get out of playing Rome. Neither del Potro, who recently had wrist surgery and is recovering in Argentina, nor Davydenko (broken wrist), nor Djokovic (allergies, etc) are playing Madrid.
Federer and Nadal are on opposite halves of the draw again. Djokovic may lose number 2 to Rafael Nadal, which would prove a minor relief for Roger provided he can get his game on track. Roger has not played will since Melbourne and is struggling big-time. He’s remained confident that the faster surfaces at Madrid will suit his game better than the rain-soaked semifinal loss in Estoril, but many remain doubtful. Somehow, Federer needs to look a lot better preferably in Madrid. So far, Federer has failed to get to the semifinals of any tournament since the Australian Open. Recall that Federer was upset when he only reached the semis back in Indian Wells and Miami (losses to Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic). That would be considered a success this year.
Perhaps the only solace he can take is that so many of his top rivals (outside of Nadal) are facing their own issues. Djokovic is using Madrid to recover. Murray is still trying to show he can play on clay. del Potro and Davydenko are injured. That leaves players like Soderling, Roddick, Tsonga, Verdasco as healthy players that might bother Federer on clay, but given playing them or having to deal with Davydenko, Djokovic, and del Potro, Federer would probably take his chances with a weaker field.
French Open starts in a few weeks with the men’s field weaker than usual due to injuries and other issues. Should make for an interesting time.
