ACAPULCO – TELCEL ABIERTO MEXICANO DE TENIS
SHARAPOVA WITHDRAWS, IT’S GARCIA VS BACSINSZKY
By Henk Abbink
After what seemed like a sure path to the finals, top seed and tournament attraction Maria Sharapova had to withdraw due to gastrointestinal problems. On Thursday, the Russian was tested by the fiercely fighting Magdalena Rybarikova and overcame a second set loss, winning 6-1, 4-6, 6-2. Coach Sven Groeneveld came on court during the 2nd set to help his player through her agony.
France’s Carolina Garcia moved on go the final automatically due to the Russian’s retirement. Garcia’s quarter final opponent Mirjana Lucic-Baroni had to withdraw at 6-2, 2-1. The Croatian, like Maria Sharapova, was also suffering from gastrointestinal illness.
Garcia will meet her good friend Switzerland’s Timea Bacsinsky in today’s final. Bacsinsky ended the great run of lucky loser Sesil Karatancheva from Bulgaria in straight sets (6-2, 6-4).
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ACAPULCO – TELCEL ABIERTO MEXICANO DE TENIS
KEI NISHIKORI AND FAVID FERRER CONTINUE ON COLLISION COURSE…
By Henk Abbink
Japan’s top seed Kei Nishikori and no. 2 seed David Ferrer will meet in today’s final at the ATP 500 Abierto Mexicano de Tenis in Acapulco.
Ferrer was ‘one bridge too far’ for Ryan Harrison in last night’s semi-final. It will be the Spaniard’s 5th Acapulco final after beating qualifier and tournament surprise Harrison 4-6, 6-0, 6-0.
The young American had a great run this week, coming into the qualies as an alternate. He also claimed his first top 10 scalp by beating ATP no. 10 and defending champion Grigor Dimitrov (7-5, 4-6, 6-0) and subsequently upset ace canon Ivo Karlovic 4-6, 7-6 (0), 7-6 (4). After reuniting with his former coach Grant Doyle, his massive serve, forward playing aggression and his ability to hit incredible shots from different and very difficult angles, we will most likely have the pleasure of seeing Harrison surge in the rankings.
Nishikori beat last year’s finalist Kevin Andersen 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 to reach his second final of the season. It’s such a pleasure to see how Kei’s getting stronger and stronger both physically and mentally. I remember writing in 2008, when he won his very first title in Delray Beach, it would be just a matter of when and not if he would be among the top 5. He will reach a career high no. 4 on Monday and should he win here he will move into the ATP no. 3 position.
Nishikori leads Ferrer 7-3 but this is almost home turf for the Spaniard, so we’re in for a great fight.
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Andrew Miller · February 28, 2015 at 9:52 am
Drank mexican water. Montezuma strikes again.
Scoop Malinowski · February 28, 2015 at 1:01 pm
Harold what was that old TV commercial that made fun of Mexico’s H2o? “Don’t drink the water.”