Final Thoughts from Atlanta

Coverage

2010

Atlanta Tennis Championships

Sunday, 25 July 2010 20:22

Final Thoughts from Atlanta

Written by Christina Ward

First Time Lucky
Scott Lipsky and Rajeev Ram took on Rohan Bopanna and Kristof Vliegen in the Doubles Final. This was the first tournament together for both teams of finalists. Lipsky’s serve, which was a slight liability in the pair’s semifinal match, was more consistent today neither American was broken. In the second set tiebreak, Lipsky and Ram were up 4-2 and close to winning the match when they started to play more tentatively; they did not win another point in the tiebreak. This was the first set that Lipsky and Ram lost all week. Both teams saved a match point in the super tiebreak before Lipsky and Ram won, 6-3, 6-7(4), 12-10. This was the first title of the year for both players. Ram said that he and Lipsky compliment each other’s game well, and that they hope to play again together soon. All the players were very appreciative of the large crowd that came out to watch the Doubles Final and remarked on how that is not always the case at other tournaments.

Simply the Best
Mardy Fish won, 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(4) in 2 hours and 45 minutes over John Isner in the fourth all-American ATP World Tour Final of the year. Fish, who was 4-11 in tour finals coming into this match, started off with many unforced errors and two double faults to drop serve at 3-4 in the first set. In the second and third sets Isner’s level started to decline in the oppressive heat and Fish was able to take control of the match. He appeared to be on his way to the win when he was broken at love serving at 3-1 in the third set. In the third set tiebreak, Fish took an insurmountable 4-0 lead. Isner won the next three points, but was not able to come back. Fish was definitely the best player of the week, having not lost a set heading into the Final, and it was no surprise that he won. Following up on a title in Newport two weeks ago, Fish extended his match streak to ten, a career best for him. This is his fifth title win.

Out with an injury for the entire fall of 2009, Fish has risen 14 spots in the rankings to No. 35 with his win

Damn Yankees
Isner has now lost his third final of the year, all of them to fellow Americans, and each one in three sets. Isner said that he knows he will have more opportunities in finals and will eventually win another title. He also noted that it is hard to play against friends and jokingly added that he hopes to play a foreigner in his next final.

Advantage, Heat
Fish said he was feeling fine in the heat until 4-4 in the third set. After the Final, both of his lower legs were cramping badly and he needed an IV to get fluids back into his body. Despite the exhaustion, Fish said he is ready to head to Los Angeles for the Farmers Classic.

Isner continues to build up his reputation as "marathon man," with three of his four Atlanta matches extending to three sets

They’ll Be Back
When asked whether the extreme heat he experienced this week might deter him from returning to Atlanta in future years, Isner replied emphatically that, despite the “brutal” weather, he would be here next year and in the years to come, barring injury. Fish said that he has many family members and friends in the area and that he would also return for next year’s tournament. Most of the players were very happy with the tournament and the enthusiastic crowds. Despite the high temperatures, the stands were mostly full throughout the week with tennis fans who were happy to have professional tennis back in Atlanta.