Youzhny edges Haase for Gstaad crown

GSTAAD, Switzerland: Mikhail Youzhny beat Dutch “mountain man” Robin Haase 6-3, 6-4 on Sunday to become the first Russian in nearly two decades to lift the honors at the high-altitude Swiss Open.
The 31-year-old duplicated the feat of Yevgeny Kafelnikov in 1995 as he improved to a perfect 5-0 record over Haase, the ATP No. 57.
The 65-minute final played in bright sunshine which has characterised the summer clay week in this alpine village at 800 meters marked the first trophy for Youzhny since 18 months ago in Zagreb. He won his last on clay more than three years ago in Munich.
Despite hailing from flatland Holland, Haase has made his best results in similar conditions to Gstaad, winning the last two editions of the tournament in the Austrian ski resort of Kitzbuehel. He was traveling there to begin his title defense next week.
“I had my biggest success in the mountains so far. It’s not a coincidence since I also played well in Madrid. I’m really confident with both my serve and my return and that helps a lot,” said the altitude-loving finalist.
“It was a difficult match, Mikhail’s game definitely doesn’t suit me. He showed his best form and years of experience today.
“It’s so tough to play him, I’ve never beaten him and that kinda hurts. But I hope to get another chance.”
Youzhny broke once per set, for 5-3 and the first and early in the second. But he had to recover from 0-30 down as he served for victory, requiring three match points to get the job done.
“This feels really great,” said the 12th player aged over 30 to win an ATP title in 2013. “Robin was a tough opponent but I was able to play me best tennis and beat him. It’s been a super week for me.
“Even through I played a lot of my matches in the morning, the stands were relatively full even then. Every one of my matches was a tough one. It was a hard week but it ended very well.”
The Russian lost a final last month in Halle on grass to Roger Federer, who along with compatriot and number 10 Stanislas Wawrinka had been billed as the anchors of the event.
But Federer, playing Gstaad for the first time in nine years, and ten-time participant Wawrinka both lost early due to back pain and face late fitness decisions if they are to play the Montreal Masters starting a week from Monday.
Crowds who had sold out the event weeks ago still fronted up, with the final played to a full house at a stadium fashioned annually from the local hockey rink in the center of the pedestrian village.
Youzhny won his ninth title from his 20th ATP final while Haase became the second second Dutchman to play a Gstaad final after four from Tom Okker, 1968-71.
Isner, Anderson to meet in Atlanta Open Final
The two top seeds American John Isner and South African Kevin Anderson will meet in the Atlanta Open final after securing semifinal victories on Saturday.
Isner beat former world No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt of Australia 6-4 4-6 7-6(5) while Anderson was too good for American Ryan Harrison 6-3 7-6(3).
The top-seeded Isner fired 21 aces on the way to beating Hewitt in a cracking match, giving him a chance at shedding his Atlanta bridesmaid’s tag having been runner up twice previously.
The big serving American is seeking a seventh career ATP crown in the $US546,930 hardcourt event.
Hewitt looked set to complete an upset when holding triple break point in the seventh game of the third set but Isner fought back before winning it 7-5 in a tiebreak.
The six-foot-10 (2.08m) American moved to 24-6 in tiebreaks this year, the best on the ATP Tour.
Anderson needed just 91 minutes to beat the unseeded 21-year-old Harrison, riding a 91-percent conversion rate on first service points won and saving all five break point opportunities Harrison earned.
Harrison had two set points on his serve in the second set but could not close out, allowing Anderson to take the tiebreak 7-3.
The six-foot-eight (2.03m) Anderson will be chasing his third career ATP crown in his sixth final appearance having won in Johannesburg in 2011 and at Delray Beach in 2012.
He has been runner up twice already this year in Sydney and Casablanca.