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Hamburg 2003 trip report - L Lewis-Price
This tournament is just wonderful, its so intimate and friendly, basically Hamburg is a lovely homely city where everyone wants to be your friend! Oh it was so great to go to Qualies without actually having the stress and strain to get anyone major through Qualies this year! Raphael Nadal is a definite one to watch! Guga and Kiefer were doing an exhibition match with 3 German Footballers on Saturday afternoon (they were probably really famous German players but sorry I don't know many ...) - that was fun. Boris Becker was wandering around dressed in Patent Leather from head to toe, shades, and sparkly buttons all over him - sorry but he really looked like an XXX-rated Movie Star!
Sunday evening Mariano was practicing with Younes. Mariano got mobbed for autographs and attention - Younes escaped!
Monday - Kids Day
There were Kids EVERYWHERE!!!!! - the atmosphere was really noisy; Hamburg had laid on lots of entertainment for the kids.
Mariano and Karol Kucera were 3rd match on Court M2 - this was a nice intimate court (with dandelions growing up through the benches). As it was Kids Day, every Group of Kids had been designated a Player to support. The teachers had prepared sheets with their player's name on, and it was basically a real Davis Cup atmosphere.
Karol Kucera's Support Team managed to get to the court first and bag the best viewing place (dead opposite the players). Karol came over and acknowledged his "team" which was really sweet.
Mariano's Team were brilliant too. They had an even better place - and they had even more interaction with their Player than Team Kucera!!
Both players took their time to warm up but by 5-5 Mariano found the break and basically took control of the match and didnt let Kucera get even close to breaking him for the rest of the match - which was totally electric and thrilling! - The atmosphere was amazing and the stands were packed - the magician on court really showed us all what he could do! - it was a brilliant match!
Wednesday - Robredo Match
Tommy Robredo basically started the match the dominant player - quickly taking the first set 6-3 - then Mariano took over and powered through the second set, breaking Robredo straight away and not letting him close to breaking back; the power play in the second set was phenomenal! - and then at the start of set 3 Mariano broke him to love! - Tommy really lost his spirit then and Mariano totally outclassed him and made Tommy look like he was an ameteur! Phenomenal end to a really tough match!
Mariano had reached the same point of the tournament as last year - therefore successfully defended his points!
He even made it to the ATP Official Report today!
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From the official ATP website, Wednesday Hamburg news report
WHAT THE PLAYERS SAID:
Zabaleta: "The conditions were really tough today but I really wanted to win this match. I have always done well in Hamburg and I want to continue this tradition. I like the club, I have a few friends here, I just enjoy this week a lot. I think it's one of the best organized events on the circuit."
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Thursday - Calleri Match
Hmmm - ok so everyone really wanted today's opponent to be Roddick...
Why?? 3 reasons
Roddick is NOT a clay court specialist,
Ok... the match started. It was freezing cold!! a biting wind was swirling round the court... dust was flying around too.
I have not seen Calleri play before (practice lots of times!!! but never actually play a match...) and I have to say... he's a great player.... but that's it! no more complements!!! even though he was really nice to Mariano regarding calls (unlike Lleyton Hewitt who was really rude and mean to Arnaud during his match - sorry to say - but Arnaud was cheated on about 3 times!!! - Lleyton should learn some manners and respect like the Argentinians).
Mariano tried his best - but Calleri just returned everything back with interest and more. It was so obvious during the match that they were really good friends.
Hamburg was lovely.
Barbara it was nice to meet you!!
Corina, Dayna, Donnelle, "The Triplets" and Candida (have a safe flight!) - thank you for all your emails and phonecalls!!! :-)
Corina - you have snail mail!!
Mariano - thank you for being you...... see you in Paris.....
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Louise |