Kohlschreiber Denies Ferrero in Final
Philipp Kohlschreiber became the first German to win the Heineken Open title in the Open Era when he toughed out a 7-6(4), 7-5 win over Juan Carlos Ferrero, extending the former World No. 1 Spaniard's title drought of more than four years.
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The 24-year-old right-hander claimed his second ATP title, which followed his maiden title in Munich on clay last April (d. Youzhny). It was his second ATP-level final and his first final on hard court.
In 2007 Kohlschreiber enjoyed a career-best season, posting a personal-high of 33 match wins, winning his maiden ATP title, and finishing the year ranked No. 32 in the South African Airways ATP Rankings.
The 2008 season began well for the German. Despite falling in the singles quarterfinals in Doha last week (l. to Ljubicic), he went on to win the doubles crown (w/ David Skoch)
World No. 31 Kohlschreiber was competing in Auckland for the fourth time and now boasts a 9-3 tournament record. Prior to this year, his best showings came in 2004 and 2007 when he reached the quarterfinals. To reach the final, the German defeated Michael Russell, Marin Cilic, Florian Mayer and No. 3 seed Juan Monaco.
Ferrero was looking to become the second Spaniard in as many years to claim the Heineken Open title after compatriot David Ferrer lifted the trophy last year.
Ferrero has not won a title since 2003, when he won four titles, including Roland Garros and ATP Masters Series shields in Monte Carlo and Madrid.
The Spaniard slipped to 11-16 lifetime in ATP finals after contesting his first title match since falling to Guillermo Canas in the Costa do Sauipe final last February. Three of his titles have come on hard court, the remaining eight have been won on clay.
Kohlschreiber said: "The match was tight but I was looser than I was in previous matches. It's a good feeling when you have to fight hard for the title.
"It's nice to be on the Tour collecting titles and I hope to take the confidence into Melbourne. I hope I can play the same type of tennis there.
Ferrero said: "It was a very close final that was probably decided by three or four points. I am disappointed because I wanted to win the tournament, but it's a good start to the year and I will arrive in Melbourne with confidence.
"I have a tough draw in Melbourne wiht Kiefer in the first round, Nalbandian third, Ferrer fourth, but like here I will go step by step."
HORNA & MONACO WIN DOUBLES TITLE
Argentine Juan Monaco and Peru's Luis Horna won their first team title when they defeated Xavier Malisse and Jurgen Melzer 6-4, 3-6, 10-7 in the Heineken Open final in Auckland.
Horna collected his fourth ATP doubles title and his first since Kitzbuehel last year (w/ Starace). The Peruvian reached the semifinals in Auckland last year with Nicolas Lapentti. Monaco was appearing in his first ATP doubles final, but he did reach two semifinals in 2007, (Costa do Sauipe w/ Calleri and Stuttgart w/ Acasuso).
Horna said: "At the beginning of the week I didn't know if I would be capable of playing after twisting my ankle in qualifying, but the rain we had bought me some time to recover. This gives me a lot of confidence."
Monaco said: "It's very special for me. I am a singles player and I didn't expect to win a doubles title. I only played five or six doubles events last year but Luis was playing very well. It's been a very good week. I played four singles matches and reached the semifinals, so it's very nice preparation for the Australian Open."
