In three grueling sets, Djokovic_Fan captured his third tour title, narrowly defeating StrategyGuide94 in the final of the BNP Paribas Masters, 7-5, 5-7, 6-4.

Djokovic_Fan arrived as the odds on favorite after upsetting the previously red-hot ilker-turkey in the quarterfinals, 7-6, 6-3. No slouch, StrategyGuide94 raised a few eyebrows of his own, also in the quarterfinals, erasing Don, the tournament’s number one seed, 7-5, 6-7, 6-3.

Not entirely comfortable at the net, StrategyGuide94 attempted to win his second title from his home at the baseline, peppering his opponent with powerful groundstrokes. Djokovic_Fan however was up to the challenge, securing a pivotal break late in the deciding set to claim the ITST 1000 championship, and Waterford Crystal shield.

The hard-fought victory left Djokovic_Fan with a smile on his face and a match record of 64-21. In defeat, StrategyGuide94 slipped to 46-31 but departed Paris with a wealth of confidence in his fast-improving game.

WHAT THE PLAYERS SAID

Djokovic_Fan: “Great match really. Very tight during the whole match. On the end, his (higher) number of unforced errors decided the match.”

Read more >>

Dubbed the favorite after upsetting TOMO in the semifinals, Coke4 struggled to live up to the lofty expectations in the opening set. The pride of Ireland however would soon find his game, rallying past Nitoflament in the championship match of the BNP Paribas Masters, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.

At the well-attended post-match press conference, a smiling and visibly relived Coke4 talked candidly about the tense ITST 1000 final:

“Nitoflament started out stronger, holding mostly to love while I held to 15 or 30. My ground game felt really off. At 3-3, on my serve, he got a break point. I saved it. At 4-4, on my serve, he got to 0-40 and took the first break point to break me to love, and then served it out confidently.”

“Next set was much of the same, except a bit closer, but Nitoflament was still dominating. At 4-5, I managed to get 15-40 on his serve, he saved the first, but I converted on the second to take the set.”

“I started better in the third, held easily and carved out 15-40 on his serve. Again he saved the first, but I took the second and held easily for 3-0. The game continued on serve until 2-5 when a double fault set-up a match point. I failed to convert and he held. He carved out a 15-40 lead on my serve at 5-3, but I saved both then got my second match point. He saved it, but I got another match point and took it 6-3.”

“I was undoubtedly lucky to win this match. Nitoflament played really well and looked like taking it, but I managed to up my game when I needed.”

Match Statistics (Coke4 / Nitoflament)
First Serve Percentage: 97/ 7
Aces: 7/4
Winners: 29/39
Unforced Errors: 2/6
Break Points 2/4, 1/4
Total Points: 78/74

Read more >>

Overcoming a hugely disappointing second set, Baghdad Kebab regrouped to dispatch Swifty512 in the title match of the BNP Paribas Masters, claiming the cherished Waterford Crystal shield, 6-1, 6-7, 6-3.

Wound tight with nervous energy, Baghdad Kebab bolted out of the blocks, winning six of the first seven games to snatch the early lead.

Despite the lopsided and quite unexpected result, Swifty512 refused to break camp, claiming the tense second set tiebreaker to knot the see-saw match at one all.

Still riding the wave of confidence granted by his first career title - secured just seven days prior - Baghdad Kebab was not to be denied. Receiving at 3-3, the rising British star pounced, snapping Swifty512’s serve at love.

It was then Swifty512 folded as Baghdad Kebab raced past his listing countryman, dominating the next two games to secure the cherished Masters Series shield.

Prior to his fruitful encounter with Swifty512, Baghdad Kebab padded his stats at the expense of Ensaimada (6-0, 6-3), Jacagest (6-4, 6-3), SMP Andyroro (6-3, 6-4) and Djarvik (6-2, 4-6, 6-3).

Baghdad Kebab will begin play at the Barclays World Tour Finals as one of the favorites; his match record intimidating at 21-4. Still hopeful of his chances at the year-end event, Swifty512 will arrive in London slightly bruised; his season mark still well on the plus side at 36-6.

WHAT THE PLAYERS SAID

Baghdad Kebab: “What can I say? I am again shocked at my run.”

Read more >>

In three comeback sets, Baghdad Kebab lay claim to his first tour title, upsetting Norberto H in the championship match of Spain's Valencia Open, 5-7, 6-4, 6-3.

Norberto H arrived at the final, both favored and in fine form. The World No. 1 would walk away scratching his head as he fumbled both a one set lead and the ITST 500 championship.

His game quickly rounding into top-of-the-world shape, Baghdad Kebab won 12 of the final 19 games to turn aside his powerful Austrian opponent.

The difficult victory left Baghdad Kebab with newfound confidence and a season mark of 17-4. With the loss, Norberto H suddenly appears vulnerable heading into the World Tour Finals; his match record still enviable however at 23-9

WHAT THE PLAYER SAID

Baghdad Kebab: “What can I say, I am shocked i won this tournament, didn't think I had it in me.”

Read more >>

Both players longed for their first championship - clearly evident as the American and German left everything they had on the firm indoor hard court. When the dust settled, it was ChunkDEUCE holding the ITST chalice, outlasting Drago in the final of the Astana, Kazakhstan challenger, 7-6(6), 5-7, 7-6(3).

The exhausting victory brought ChunkDEUCE a notch closer to a .500 record as the fast-improving World No. 123 is now 12-13 for the season. By failing to prevail in his first career final, Drago departed the glorious nation of Kazakhstan with with a match record of 17-17.

WHAT THE PLAYERS SAID

Drago: “It’s always frustrating losing a match like this (I lead 5-2 in the first tiebreak) but (ChunkDEUCE) deserved this win and I think he’s very talented.”

Read more >>