|
|
26-Feb:
Finitsis upsets topseed to win
Austrian Open 2011
 Steve
Finitsis celebrates his 8th career tour title after beating the
topseed Julien Balbo from France in a thight match 3/1.
the 28-old Australian took the better start and was always one
little step ahead of his opponent. From the very beginning on the
rallies were very even and long. The crowd loved both of the
player's styles which created very attracive rallies. Steve took the
first two games 11/8 and was also looking strong in the third at a
6/2 lead.
Julien though was able to fight back and cut his errors down a bit.
After a strong run he had game balls at 10/7. Steve could save two
of them, but finally Julien could take the game 11/9 and keep the
match open.
The fourth game went point by point until 5/5, when the Australian
managed to get a 2 Point lead to 7/5 and even a bigger lead at 9/6.
Once again the Frenchman fought back to 9/9 by playing a very
disciplined game. After that big effort Julien hit the tin under
after a risky shot under no pressure which gave match ball to Steve.
 Steve
took that first opportunity with an amazing crosscourt nick with no
chance for Julien to pick the ball up.
After 70min the score was 11/8, 11/8, 9/11, 11/9 to Steve Finitsis
Thanks a lot to all the Sponsors Elektro Ausweger, Restaurant
Wintergarten, City and County of Salzburg, Sport Union, Wilson, The
Bella Vita Restaurant and of course all the families and supporters
who help out so much and looked after the players so well.
We look forward to next year and hopefully finally for a local
finalist at last. Well done to the players!
|
|
 Austrian
Open 2011
24-27 Feb, Salzburg, $5k |
Round One
25 Feb 16.00-19.00 |
Quarters
26 Feb |
Semis
26 Feb |
Final
27 Feb |
[1] Julien Balbo (Fra)
11/3, 17/15, 11/5 34min
Jakob Dirnberger (Aut) |
[1] Julien Balbo
11/6, 11/3, 11/8 (34m)
[Q] Rene Mijs |
[1] Julien Balbo
11/3, 11/5, 7/11, 8/11, 11/7 (66m)
[4] Piedro Schweertman |
[1] Julien Balbo
11/8, 11/8, 9/11, 11/9 (70m)
[2] Steve Finitsis |
Alex Ingham (Eng)
11/7, 3/11, 11/9, 11/6 55min
[Q] Rene Mijs (Ned) |
Johan Bouquet (Fra)
9/11, 11/3, 9/11, 13/11, 11/6 102min
[Q] Ondrej Ertl (Cze) |
Johan Bouquet
15/13, 11/8, 11/6 (42m)
[4] Piedro Schweertman |
Chris Fuller (Eng)
13/11, 11/9. 11/8
[4] Piedro Schweertman (Ned) |
[3] Jens Schoor (Ger)
11/7, 11/4, 11/5
Adam Murrills (Eng) |
[3] Jens Schoor
11/1, 11/8, 12/10
Reiko Peter |
[3] Jens Schoor
14/12, 11/8, 11/3 (49m)
[2] Steve Finitsis |
Reiko Peter (Sui)
11/6, 11/3, 11/7
[Q] Andrea Bianchetti (Ita) |
Aqeel Rehman (Aut)
9/11, 11/9, 11/6, 10/12, 11/8 55min
Adil Maqbool (Pak) |
Aqeel Rehman
11/4 11/9, 11/6 (50m)
[2] Steve Finitsis |
[Q] Andre Haschker (Ger)
11/6, 8/11, 11/5, 11/8 48min
[2] Steve Finitsis (Aus) |
2010 Event
Qualifying Finals:
Rene Mijs bt Martin
Mosnik
11/8, 6/11, 11/4, 11/5 (40m)
André Haschker bt Andreas Fuchs
11/7, 11/9, 11/4 (30m)
Ondrej Ertl bt Karamatullah Khan
11/9, 11/4, 11/9 (56m)
Andrea Bianchetti bt Rozle Langus
9/11, 5/11, 11/3, 11/9, 11/3 (50m)
|
26-Feb:
Dream Final in Salzburg
 The
'Dreamfinal' of the Austrian Open 2011 in Salzburg is perfect. The
Number 1 and 2 seed of the Tournament will meet in Sunday's final in
the Tennis and Squashcenter Sued in Gneis, Salzburg.
Top seed Julien Balbo from France had to fight a lot for his
spot though against Piedro Schweertman from the Netherlands.
After Julien won the first two games comfortable 11/3 and 11/5
everything looked like an easy 3/0 win. But from the third game on,
Piedro cut his errors down and was able to put his opponent under
more pressure. Supporter from the crowd - because they wanted to see
a five setter, Piedro was able to win the next two games 11/7 and
11/8 to fulfil the crowd's wish. In that game though, Julien found
back his concentration again and showed his mature and won the fifth
game 11/7 and the Match 3/2 after 66min
The second semifinal was between Number 2 seed Steve Finitsis
from Australia and the third seed german Jens Schoor.
The german had the better start, having two game balls at 10/8 in
the first game. Thanks to great retrieving skills from Steve, the
Australian was able to level to 10 all and reach the Tiebreak, where
he again had to save 2 more gameballs before taking his own first
game ball to win the 29min minutes opening game 14/12.
From then on Jens seemed to struggle mentaly and physically, while
Steve looked to have found his game and started dominating the game.
The next two games Jens was not able to keep up with the tall
Aussie, who won the nest two games 11/8 and 11/3.
This means the Final on Sunday will be held between Julien Balbo and
Steve Finitsis.
More reports in german on
www.rehman.at
|
|
26-Feb:
Seeds through to semis in Salzburg
The top 4 players all showed their class and dominated their
opponents, who didn't make it easy though.
Top seed Julien Balbo took only 34 min to defeat the Dutch qualifier
René Mijs who played a good tournament anyway.
Also German Jens Schoor didn't take much longer to defeat the Swiss
Peter Reiko 3/0
on the other court Johan Bouquet was challenging Piedro Schweertman.
The Frenchman had a good start in the first game. Unlucky though he
wasn't unable to take one of his two game balls, after Piedro showed
some great nick shots. After that the Dutch took more over the
control and cruised to a 3/0 win.
Last on was local interest Aqeel Rehman against number 2 seed Steve
Finitsis from Australia. It took the Austrian a bit to find a
rhythm, while the Aussie started strong and powerful. After the
first game the match got closer and the rallies were tighter. Still
Steve was able to stay above the Austrian and save his spot in the
semis.
French Corner
 Fram
!
Petit mot depuis Salzburg si t'es preneuse..
Julien et moi sommes les deux français dans cette belle ville où
naquit un certain Mozart, alors nous nous devions de faire honneur
et composer une belle symphonie de coups sur les courts..haha
n'importe quoi.
Bon bref eh bien le tournoi s'arrête là en quart pour moi, après une
victoire à l'arrachée hier contre un tchèque, après être mené 2/1
10/9, je ne le connaissais pas mais il a très bien joué, moi pas si
mal malgré sauf au départ, et je m'en suis sorti..
Ce matin samedi contre Piedro, gros client, mais frais comme un
gardon malgré mes 102' la veille, j'aurais du/pu prendre le 1er,
derrière on a eu de bons échanges, mais je sais ce qui peut être
amelioré pour prétendre à mieux.
Quoiqu'il en soit je me suis fait plaisir et c'est cool, maintenant
c'est Julien qui joue contre mon adversaire en demie.
Auf Wiedersehen ! Tchuss =
 |
|
|
Round One in Salzburg
The first round of the Austrian Open 2011 in Salzburg brought no
major upsets. Though as the day before many of the matches were very
close and very tense.
Already the first match of the night was the longest one. Frenchman
Johan Bouquet, who originally was a qualifier - but ended up
straight in the main draw after a withdrawl, beat the czech
qualifier Ondrej Ertl in 5 games in 102 Minutes, after saving a
matchball in the fourth game.
Also Steve Finitsis had to work for his victory over the German
André Haschker. Steve showed all his class and unbelievable shots
and raquet control, but André did not let loose and worked hard for
his points. The German was unlucky in the end but Steve also
deserved to win after a very good quality match of both opponents.
Only one Austrian Player was able to progress into the quarterfinal.
Jakob Dirnberger showed great skills in the second game against top
seed Julien Balbo from France. Jakob, originally from Salzburg had
game Balls to tie the game 1 all but the Frenchman was too mature
and turned the game and won 17/15. After that it seemed that Jakob
ran a bit out of gas and Julien took over the control more. Of
course the Austrian who was supported well from the spectators
fought well, Juliens class was still too good though.
So it was down to local hero and Tournament Organiser Aqeel Rehman
to keep the Austrian Flag up high.
He faced the very skilful Pakistani Adil Maqbool. At the moment only
ranked 129 in the World, Adil is now trying again hard to again
reach his career high of 66. Aqeel though had other interests and
pushed from a great crowed he could come back from 1 game down to
2/1 and 10/7 Matchball. Aqeel (who's father is Pakistani too) was
not able to finish it yet though. Finally in the fifth the 25-year
old Austrian Champion could celebrate a 3/2 Victory with the crowed.
The number 3 and 4 seeds Jens Schoor (GER) and Piedro Schweertman
(NED) could both win their oppening matches convincingly 3/0 which
means that all the seeded players are through to the quarterfinals
which will take place on Saturday between 11 a.m. and 12 noon.
|
 |
24-Feb-2011
Tight games but no surprises at the
Qualification
for the Austrian Open 2011!
by Aqeel Rehman
2 local players Martin Tollich and Michael Gaede missed out a
big opportunity to progress in the qualification event, but
unfortunately for the home crowd both of them lost in 5 games in the
first round.
Also Daniel Haider showed good effort before going 1/3 down
to Ondrej Ertl. There was one all-Austrian Match between
former Austrian Champion Andreas Fuchs and youngster
Marcus Greslehner. The mature Fuchs won the clash clearly in
straight games.
Due to many late withdrawls from local players and PSA players,
there were a few byes for the rest of the players.
The final round though was tough all the way through all the
matches.
First player to qualify was Andre Haschker from germany after
beating Andreas Fuchs 3/0 and so ending the last austrian hopes for
one more player in the main draw. The german running-machine will
face Steve Finitsis in the main draw.
Rene Mijs saved his spot in the event after beating the
slovenian Martin Mosnik. The Dutchman will play Alex Ingham in the
first round.
Andrea Bianchetti managed the best victory of the night.
Being already 0/2 he was able to turn the match into a 3/2 win and
will play the swiss Reiko Peter tomorrow.
Last but not least was Ondrej Ertl. He beat the Pakistani
Karamatullah Khan 3/0, though the match went on for 56 minutes, so
the score is clearer then the reallies were actually! Ondrej from
the Czech Republic will challenge Johan Bouquet from France.
Bouquet and Ingham (both originally Qualifiers) had the luck
to fill the spots for Neil Hitchens (ENG) and Alejandro Garbi (ESP),
after both of them had to pull out due to illness.
Matches will commence on Friday at 16:00 at the Bella Vita Center
Court in the Tenniscenter Sued in Gneis, Salzburg
|
|
|
