※ [本文轉錄自 Tennis 看板]
作者: Seles (叫我大姐大會折壽的XD) 看板: Tennis
標題: [情報] Rivalries to Watch in 2004!
時間: Mon Dec 8 19:29:00 2003
http://www.atptennis.com/en/newsandscores/news/2004/rivalries_2004.asp
2004 - A Look Ahead
December 5, 2003
Rivalries to Watch in 2004!
Andre Agassi vs Lleyton Hewitt
In January, all eyes will turn to the Australian Open and no two players will b
e more eager to make an impression than defending champion Andre Agassi and loc
al hero Lleyton Hewitt. The Australian has consistently struggled at his home G
rand Slam event, having failed to advance beyond the fourth round in seven appe
arances. In marked contrast to Hewitt, Agassi has thrived at the Australian Ope
n, claiming the title in four out of seven appearances. Hewitt struggled throug
hout much of 2003, finishing the year in 16th place of the ATP Champions Race.
In 2004, the Australian will be eager to stamp his authority back on a sport in
which many of his critics have been quick to write him off.
Hewitt and Agassi have had some blockbuster encounters in the past, with Hewitt
leading their head-to-head series 4-3. However, Agassi claimed their last matc
h, putting an end to the Australian's US Open title defense at the semifinal st
age in 2002. With Hewitt looking to reclaim his spot at the top of the rankings
, and an ageing Agassi eager to make every match count in the twilight of his c
areer, theirs is a rivalry that could come to an enthralling climax in 2004.
Juan Carlos Ferrero vs Guillermo Coria
Ferrero and Coria ruled the clay courts of 2003, with Ferrero claiming his firs
t Grand Slam at Roland Garros, while Coria won three successive tournaments in
Stuttgart, Kitzbuhel and Sopot, as well as claiming his first Tennis Masters Se
ries title in Hamburg. The Spaniard won their only meeting of 2003 with conside
rable ease in the Monte Carlo final. The Argentine has come a long way since th
en though, gaining vital big-match experience with his run to the Roland Garros
semifinals as well as competing in the Tennis Masters Cup season-finale in Hou
ston. And while Martin Verkerk's stunning form at this year's Roland Garros end
ed hopes of a blockbuster final match-up between these two, players will be har
d pushed to stop Ferrero and Coria battling it out in 2004. These two clay cour
t giants are now poised to duel for the title of 'Clay Court King' for years to
come.
Roger Federer vs Andy Roddick
Roddick and Federer both had outstanding seasons in 2003 and have made themselv
es the men to watch in 2004. While Roddick finished the year as World No. 1, it
was Federer who stole the show at the Tennis Masters Cup Houston, making his i
ntentions clear for 2004. These two young guns have the makings for a classic r
ivalry for years to come, with Roddick's high-tempo aggressive play coming in s
trong contrast to Federer's silky smooth stroke play and calm demeanor. And whi
le it may be too soon for comparisons with Borg and McEnroe's legendary rivalry
, the ingredients are certainly there.
So far in their young careers, it is Federer who was come out strongest. The Sw
iss leads 5-1 in their head-to-head series with the standout match undoubtedly
coming with Federer's straight sets defeat of Roddick in the Wimbledon semifina
ls. Roddick, however, got the measure of the Swiss a few weeks later, defeating
him in the Montreal semifinals in three tight sets. The scene is now set for t
hese two to battle it out in their quest for tennis world supremacy.
Rainer Schuettler vs David Nalbandian
Schuettler and Nalbandian are regarded as two of the toughest nuts to crack on
the ATP circuit. While Nalbandian failed to win a title in 2003, it was a testa
ment to his consistency throughout the year that he still qualified for the yea
r-end season finale in Houston. Meanwhile, Schuettler continues to defy the odd
s as he improved his year-end ranking for the ninth consecutive year. These two
have had some grueling encounters, meeting a total of seven times in the past
two years, with Nalbandian edging their head-to-head 4-3. Look out in 2004 as t
hese two fighters extend their on-going series at the highest level on the ATP
circuit.
Rafael Nadal vs Richard Gasquet
While Federer and Roddick may be the leading lights of men's tennis today, Nada
l and Gasquet have displayed enough precocious talent to suggest that they are
more than ready to challenge the "New Balls Please" generation in years to come
. Having collected four Challenger titles, 17-year-old Gasquet finished 2003 as
the youngest player in the Top 100. And in a year in which he broke into the T
op 50 for the first time, Nadal claimed two Challenger titles of his own and re
ached the semifinals of Umag. The two young stars have both had prolific career
s at Challenger level and are now set to make their presence felt at the higher
echelons of the ATP circuit.
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※ 編輯: Seles 來自: 61.64.85.25 (12/08 19:30)