Malaysian Open - The Finals

2nd part of the weekend's-capade!


Its been a week since the 250 tour in Kuala Lumpur started. As I mentioned on my previous entry about the tournament, there are a few known players joined the first and new part of ATP 250 tour in the City. Sadly, we haven't had the chance to see most of them due to early exits and the fact the we only bought tickets for the final game.

Some of the early ousted players includes, former world no. 4, David Ferrer, Feliciano Lopez, Jose Acasuso and 2 time grand slam champion Lleyton Hewitt. I really rooted for Lleyton to win the tournament if Verdasco or Davydenko wouldn't make it. I thought this will be a great time for him to show his ability adding that the tournament was held in Asia and near to his Country, Australia. But, there, badluck is around the air.

Luckily, Nikolay and Fernando smoothly sailed to the semis whom they faced the other top seeded on the tour, Robin Sorderling and Fernando Gonzales. Nikolay who defeated the charming Frenchman, Gael Monfils who just won the "Open de Moselle" a week ago in a straight set, 6-3, 6-3 faced Soderling who won to Czech, Tomas Berdych, 6-2, 6-2. And Fernando Verdasco who won to Richard Gasquet, 7-5, 6-4 faced Gonzales who defeated the ever focused Mikhail Youzhny of Russia, 6-3, 6-4.


Not Too Easy Win

The top seeded, Nikolay, won a not too easy game to Robin Soderling before reaching the final. The game lasted for morethan two hours. Robin secured the first set with a very convincing score, 6-1. But "Kolya" doesn't feel intimidated and win the last two set, 7-6(1), 6-2.

(Game statistics: Both players produced 9 total aces, 67% of Break points, 62% service points, 38% return points and 50% total points won. - source: Protennislive.com)

Verdasco on the other hand, demolished Gonzales in straight set, 6-4, 7-5. Which makes my finalist prediction into real.


The Final GAme

The feeling of being present to a Pro Tennis Final is unexplainable. For the newbie like me(us), where everything are "first-time", the crowd, the noise, the people arriving late and those cute kids running up and down the stairs can be appreciated easily. No "shush" unlike in a movie house when someone is giggling or murmuring, this is different, and I really love the experience!

Between the two favorites on the tour, I easily fell over and decided to cheer for Davydenko. I'm a huge fan of both players, but between the two, I felt that the Russian is more deserve to win the title (just an opinion). Adding that most of the spectators are cheering for Verdasco, So it's "Me Against The World".

Fernando Boleh!
Malaysia Boleh!

Both players are good on their down the line ground strokes. Hitting the ball back and forth with an average of atleast 120kph. But, compliments should be given to the Russian, who keeps his pace and consistent on his game. Verdasco haven't mastered the consistency of his game yet. I don't know. Its shows on every execution on his serves and rallys. But he is still a good player.

Break points are won by Nikolay on the 7th and 10th game of the match, which help him to secure a first set win against Fernanando, 6-4.

7th game result:

10th game and first set result:

Do-or-Die

A nerve breaking second set started with both players losing on their serves. Exchange of breakpoints on earlier games which keeps me thinking if Verdasco can pull-off to win the set to have a chance to win if ever they made it to the 3rd and deciding set.

Nikolay seems to gain his composure and able to break on 11th game, an important point away from the Spaniards.


With Nikolay serving for the match, I prepared my self to dash down nearer to players stool to secure an autograph. My mind is already set that Nikolay will won the match. But the fences are lock :(

(Game fact: Verdasco produces a total of 4 double fault against 1 from Davydenko in the second and final set.)

The crowd are cheering crazily for Verdasco when both players get ready for the 12th game on second set. This atleast boost Verdasco's confidence. But Davydenko is so focused that he still manage to win the game and become the

First Proton Malaysian Open Champion!

(Picture from: Malaysianopentennis.com)

Pity I wasn't able to get a sign from Nikolay, but atleast I had Fernando's!