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Gerry
Weber Open 2007 Reports
& Pictures by MATCH
REPORT Leander Paes & Martin Damm advances to next round Leander Paes and his Czech doubles partner Martin Damm advanced to the quarterfinals of the GERRY WEBER OPEN 2007 in Halle/Westfalen, Germany today. Paes/Damm went past Yves Allegro (Switzerland) and Michael Kohlmann (Germany) 6:4, 6:2. The match was originally scheduled to take place on Matchday 3 (June 11), but had to be postponed due to heavy rains after uncomfortable heat dominated the first half of the day. Speaking to IndianFootball.Com’s Chris Punnakkattu Daniel ahead of the match, Paes stated that he feels good and preparations for the match went well, although the heavy rains messed-up the original match schedules of the GERRY WEBER OPEN 2007. Paes/Damm took some time before getting the right rhythm and finding more and more into the match. It looked like the Indo-Czech duo would have a tough outing, after producing several easy errors in the first few games. But Paes/Damm adapted to the hot conditions in the German summer with temperatures around 30°C and decided the first set to their favour, while winning it 6:4. The second set was easily dominated by Paes/Damm and their entertaining tennis gave the German crowd some reasons to cheer. Early breaks decided the match, which saw Paes/Damm clinch the second set 6:2. The number one seeded duo of Leander Paes and Martin Damm will now face the winner of the match Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) / Robin Soderling (SWE) vs. Benjamin Becker (GER) / Christopher Kas (GER) . MATCH
REPORT Hitchcock at his best… The number one seeded duo of Leander Paes / Martin Damm faced Philip Kohlschreiber (GER) and Robin Soderling (SWE) in todays exciting quarterfinal match of the GERRY WEBER OPEN 2007 doubles competition. The Indo-Czech duo entered the quarterfinals, while going past Yves Allegro (SUI) / Michael Kohlmann (GER) in the first round. Paes/Damm dominated the first few games, with some aggressive serve and volley points. They moved well and showed the understanding they built over last few years! But leading the first set 3:0 they lost their concentration and Kohlschreiber/Soderling came back in style while levelling the score 4:4. Paes won his serve to make the score 5:4, when it started to rain and the match had to be stopped for about two hours. At this time Paes/Damm seemed to be quite confident, although Kohlschreiber/Soderberg got back into the match! Kohlschreiber/Soderberg had the better start after the rain break and the set went into the tie-break. Paes/Damm made several unforced errors and the tie-break ended 8-6 in favour of Kohlschreiber/Soderberg. The second set seemed to be a easy one for the German-Swedish combination and they led the match 5:3. But Paes/Damm fought back into the match and levelled the score and even had the chance to clinch the set 7:5. But the set once again ended in a tie-break, which displayed doubles tennis at its best! The excitement was on the court, the stands and everywhere around Court 1. Both teams entertained the crowd with several outstanding rallies and points! Leander Paes made several crashing points and fought back in style! The tie-break was won by Paes/Damm 10-8. The third and final set was played as a super-tie-break. A super-tie-break is played like a regular tie-break, but the winner must win ten points instead of seven. Paes/Damm, pushed by their great performance in the second set, showed their routine and decided the last and final set 10-7 to their favour in front of a enthusiastic crowd honouring the four sportsmen for tennis at its best! Game, set and match Paes/Damm; 6:7, 7:6, 10:7… Paes/Damm will face third seeded Simon Aspelin (SWE) and Julian Knowle in the semifinals tomorrow. MATCH
REPORT Game over for Paes/Damm at Halle Top favourites Leander Paes / Martin Damm crashed-out of the GERRY WEBER OPEN 2007 in Halle/Westfalen, Germany. Paes/Damm lost their semifinal 3:6, 6:2, 6:10 to Simon Aspelin (SWE) and Julian Knowle (AUT) in an unspectacular match. The only semifinal of the day was scheduled to take place at Court 1, but had to be shifted to the Centre Court due to rainfall. Paes/Damm had the advantage to serve first and Leander Paes started the match. Aspelin/Knowle took off well and clinched the first game with a break. This break sealed the faith of Paes/Damm in the first set. The next seven games went to the respective serving duo and the score was 5:3 in favour of the Swedish-Austrian duo. Leander Paes lost his serve once again and the first set went 6:3 to Aspelin/Knowle. Paes/Damm seemed to be quite exhausted from their late quarterfinal match yesterday evening, but the duo tried their best and had several good rallies. Aspelin/Knowle continued their straight tennis and seemed to have an easy match at the GERRY WEBER STADION. Paes and Damm were quite frustrated and both smashed their rackets on the court in the early games of the second set. Simon Aspelin served the fifth game and Paes/Damm finally got the needed break. Damm increased the lead to 4:2 and thereafter the Indo-Czech duo got their second break from Julian Knowle’s serve. Leander Paes gave the final nod to the second set, while winning his serve and making the score 6:2. The last and final set was once again decided in a super-tie-break. Paes/Damm enjoyed the support of the German crowd, but lost their concentration and confidence they rebuilt during the second set. Several unforced errors by Paes/Damm resulted in a 6:10 loss in the super-tie-break. |