Vardan Posted May 19, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2005 ©Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Strasbourg, France: Karolina Sprem and her coach, Borna Bikic, at the player party. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Vardan Posted May 19, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2005 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Vardan Posted May 19, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2005 ©Internationaux de Strasbourg Strasbourg, France: Tatiana Golovin made an appearance at the Sony Ericsson booth Wednesday afternoon, visiting with VIP's and signing autographs for dozens of her fans. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Vardan Posted May 19, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2005 ©Internationaux de Strasbourg Strasbourg, France: Tatiana Golovin made an appearance at the Sony Ericsson booth Wednesday afternoon, visiting with VIP's and signing autographs for dozens of her fans. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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Vardan Posted May 19, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2005 ©Internationaux de Strasbourg Strasbourg, France: After her match, Ai Sugiyama paid a visit to the VIP tent and posed with a contest winner (L) and Tournament Director Pierre Staller. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Vardan Posted May 19, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2005 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Vardan Posted May 19, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2005 ©Internationaux de Strasbourg Strasbourg, France: On Kid's Day, Ai Sugiyama took her turn in the autograph booth, much to the delight of many local school children. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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Vardan Posted May 19, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2005 ©Internationaux de Strasbourg Strasbourg, France: French doubles specialist Caroline Dhenin signed autographs for dozens of fans on kid's day Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Vardan Posted May 19, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2005 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Vardan Posted May 19, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2005 ©Internationaux de Strasbourg Strasbourg, France: Children from the Central Hospital de Strasbourg Hautepierre who are dealing with cancer, came to the tournament and were treated to a visit with French star Stephanie Cohen-Aloro (top row, second from right). She chatted with them, signed autographs and posed for photos. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Vardan Posted May 19, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2005 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Vardan Posted May 19, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2005 Argentina Denies Chile's Shot at History Chile's hopes of becoming the first team to win three consecutive ARAG World Team Cup titles ended in Duesseldorf Thursday. Roland Garros champion Gaston Gaudio handed Fernando Gonzalez his first career defeat at the tournament with a 6-4, 6-2 win. Guillero Canas then defeated Nicolas Massu 6-2, 1-6, 6-3 to confirm Argentina's spot in the final against either Germany or Spain. More at ARAG ATP World Team Cup site Meanwhile in Estoril, World No. 1 Roger Federer won the most prestigious award in sports Monday when he was named Laureus World Sportsman of the Year. Federer was rewarded for his brilliant 2004 season at the age of just 23. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Vardan Posted May 20, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 20, 2005 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Vardan Posted May 20, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 20, 2005 Germany into ARAG ATP World Team Cup Final Florian Mayer proved to be the hero as he helped host nation Germany reach the final of the ARAG ATP World Team Championships in Duesseldorf. Germany defeated Spain 2-1 and now will meet Argentina in Saturday's final at the Rochusclub. More at ARAG ATP World Team Cup site Meanwhile, the draw was made for the second Grand Slam of the season at Roland Garros, with INDESIT ATP 2005 Race leader Roger Federer taking on Robin Soderling in the first round. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Vardan Posted May 20, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 20, 2005 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Vardan Posted May 20, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 20, 2005 Davydenko and Melzer to Meet in Final ©GEPA Pictures Local favorite Jurgen Melzer and top seed Nikolay Davydenko advanced at the Internationaler BTM-Power Grand Prix on Friday to reach their first ATP final of the year . Melzer was the first player to clinch a final berth, recording a straight-set victory over in-form Belgian Christophe Rochus. Seeded No. 4, the 23-year-old Austrian, who was playing in his third semifinal of the year (San Jose, Houston) needed 1 hour, 11 minutes to defeat Rochus, 6-4, 6-3. In the second semifinal, top seed Nikolay Davydenko recorded a third career win over Argentine Jose Acasuso to advance to his first final of the year. Davydenko, who has shown great form on the European clay in the past weeks, having reached the semifinals of Barcelona and Hamburg, booked his place in the final with a 6-4, 6-2 win in 1 hour, 20 minutes. WHAT THE PLAYERS SAID: Davydenko: “In the first set I wasn't feeling great. I wasn't concentrating at ll on the match, my body was tired and feeling strange but I managed to win it in the end which made things easier. In the second set, I got more into the match, started to play and feel better and foughtevery single point which allowed me to close the match easily.” About playing Jurgen Melzer in the final: “I expect a difficult match tomorrow but I think that if I am not tired and fit I can win any match. I will definitely try to be more concentrated and not make any silly mistake.” Melzer: "What made the difference today is that I played much better than the last couple of days, and from the very beginning I put a lot of pressure on his serve forcing him to come up with good shots to hold serves. When we were rallying from the baseline I tried to come in as much as possible and it worked well. I know I don't play everyday like, but I really feel that today there is not much to say about my game.” About being in his second career final: “It will be for sure a tough match for me because I lost to both guys once this year. If I play like today I really think I can win this match, and especially in front of the home crowd, I am going to do everything I can to win.” On his condition: “It has been a tough week for me. I have played many matches in singles and doubles. I am still in both draws, but when you are in front on home crowd, everything is fine.” FINAL PREVIEW: No. 4 seed Jurgen Melzer is looking to lift a first career trophy in front of his home crowd when he takes on top seed Nikolay Davydenko. 23-year-old Melzer, who is playing in his second career final after Newport 2003 (l. to Robby Ginepri) is hoping to record a first career win over the Russian from Moscow, to whom he has previously lost once (2005 ATP Masters Series Monte-Carlo). Melzer, who is playing in St. Poelten for the fifth time, recorded his best result in 2004 when he lost in the semifinals against Xavier Malisse, and now holds a 9-4 singles record at the tournament. Currently ranked No. 10 in the INDESIT ATP 2005 Race, Davydenko is hoping to clinch a first title of 2005 and fifth overall career title (Adelaide, Estoril – 2003; Munich, Moscow – 2004). The 2003 St. Poelten finalist (l. to Andy Roddick), is looking on Saturday to improve his 2005 record to 27-14. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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Vardan Posted May 21, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 21, 2005 Haas Leads Germany to Championship Germany clinched its fourth ARAG ATP World Team Championship after coming from behind to defeat Argentina 2-1 in Dusseldorf. Tommy Haas staged heroics for the host-nation team, defeating Gaston Gaudio in the second singles match and teaming with Alexander Waske to win the deciding doubles match. Read the full story at the Official ARAG ATP World Team Cup site. Meanwhile, the draw was made for the second Grand Slam of the season at Roland Garros, with INDESIT ATP 2005 Race leader Roger Federer taking on a qualifier in the first round. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Vardan Posted May 21, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 21, 2005 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Vardan Posted May 21, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 21, 2005 Venus, Medina Garrigues Claim Titles No.1 seed Venus Williams captured the inaugural Istanbul Cup title with a 63 62 win over No.2 seed Nicole Vaidisova. Williams earned her first title since Warsaw just over a year ago and now holds 32 Sony Ericsson WTA Tour singles titles. Anabel Medina Garrigues topped Poland's Marta Domachowska to win the Internationaux de Strasbourg, 64 63. Medina Garrigues upset the tournament's top seed, Nathalie Dechy, in the semifinals en route to her first Tier III title. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Vardan Posted May 21, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 21, 2005 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Vardan Posted May 21, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 21, 2005 May 21, 2005 © Internationaux de Strasbourg Medina Garrigues Clinches Strasbourg Title STRASBOURG - 22-year-old Anabel Medina Garrigues won her third Sony Ericsson WTA Tour singles title on Saturday at the Internationaux de Strasbourg, defeating Polish teenager Marta Domachowska 64 63 in the final of the Tier III clay court event held in Strasbourg, France. In claiming the title, the 42nd-ranked Medina Garrigues brought home her biggest trophy yet. She had also won titles in 2001 and last year at Palermo, the Tier V clay court event held in Palermo, Italy in July. "The start of this year was very difficult for me because I had a lot of difficult draws and first round losses," said the Spaniard, who had advanced past the second round in just one of her 12 events this season prior to this week. "But now I have a title, so I'm very happy. This is my favorite surface so I feel good here." Medina Garrigues sealed the victory after one hour and 18 minutes on her second match point. "Marta is a good player," she said on Domachowska. "I didn't get it on the first match point, but I wasn't worried. I had to stay composed and she couldn't manage it on the important points." "I had my chances but I didn't take them," said Domachowska, who was appearing in her first Tier III final. "Anabel dictated play today. My serve was not working either so it was frustrating for me... I just wasn't in the match." "I will definitely come back and play here again. I enjoyed it very much. I feel ready for Roland Garros." Medina Garrigues began her week with a 76(3) 61 win over 52nd-ranked Samantha Stosur, then upset No.7 seed Amy Frazier 46 63 62 in the second round. In the quarterfinals, she outlasted 54th-ranked Vera Douchevina 67(2) 75 61, then reached the final with a 64 61 win over top-seeded Frenchwoman Nathalie Dechy. The two had played three times previously, with Dechy winning twice, but their semifinal meeting was their first on clay. "I think I played well yesterday and today," said the Spaniard, whose win on Friday over the 16th-ranked Dechy was the best of her career. "I came here to win matches, not the tournament, then after defeating Dechy, I thought I could win the title and I did." "I'm very happy with my preparation for Roland Garros and I look forward to going to Paris." The 63rd-ranked Domachowska had a tough time making it through this week's draw, beginning with a 61 46 63 win over 285th-ranked qualifier Natalia Gussoni, then pulling out a 62 67(2) 75 marathon over No.5 seed Ai Sugiyama in the second round. In the quarterfinals, she came back from dropping the first set to beat 47th-ranked Peng Shuai 46 75 62. She had a slightly easier time in the semifinals with a 63 63 win over 53rd-ranked Madagascan Dally Randriantefy in their first career meeting. Medina Garrigues extended her head-to-head edge over Domachowska to 2-0 with Saturday's win. The two had met once before, in the second round at Indian Wells earlier this year, with Medina Garrigues defeating the Polish teenager 63 62. Domachowska also finished runner-up in the doubles event with partner Marlene Weingartner, losing 63 61 in the final to Rosa Maria Andres and Andreea Vanc in another battle of unseeded finalists. Andrees and Vanc had upset No.2 seeds Iveta Benesova and Kveta Peschke in the opening round en route to the final. Both players on the winning team took home their first Sony Ericsson WTA Tour doubles title with the victory. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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