Dent defeats Ferrero to lift inaugural Bangkok title
BANGKOK (AFP) - Taylor Dent denied world number one
Juan Carlos Ferrero the first indoor victory of his
career, sweeping past the Spaniard 6-3, 7-6 (7-5) to
lift the trophy at the 550,000-dollar Thailand Open.
Thousands in a sellout crowd of 10,000 had been
cheering the popular Spaniard on as he became the de
facto favourite after the tearful quarter-final exit
of top Thai Paradorn Srichaphan.
But the underrated Dent, whose big serve is
beginning to be backed up by solid play at the net,
spoiled the scenario at the Impact arena on Sunday.
The eighth seed, who hammered eight aces, lifted
his second title of the season and third of his career
with the win in one hour, 40 minutes.
Ferrero, whose previous three trophies this season
have all come on clay, was unable to storm back after
Dent won the opening set, levelling in the second but
losing in a deciding tie-breaker as the American put
a winning return down the line to seal victory.
"I got a bit lucky and snuck out this win," said Dent.
"Juan Carlos is the world number one and I'm glad I was
able to beat him today. This is a bit of a surprise."
Ferrero was playing in his sixth final of the season
while Dent is now two-for-two in 2003 title matches as
he levels his series with Ferrero at one win each.
The Spaniard got off to a steady start but failed to
impose his game on the eager American.
Dent, ranked 54th, frustrated the French Open champion
throughout the contest with big serves which left no time
for the Spaniard to produce anything more than the most
minimal of rallies.
Ferrero fell behind a break in the opening set, which
was enough of a margin for Dent to secure the early lead.
In the second, the charged-up American broke at the start
only to lose his margin as Ferrero fought back to level
at 4-4.
In the tie-breaker, Dent made amends for a double-fault
which squared it at 5-5. He then earned a match point from
a Ferrero error and closed it out with a return winner down
the line.
"I was struggling at the start, but I was happy to hang
onto my serve," said the winner. "It's just a great feeling
to win. I gutted it out today. My serve was working at times
but he was also getting on it.
"I was patchy on volleys, but I ground it out and kept
a strong mental head about me, that's what won me the match."
Ferrero, still number one in the ATP table after losing
this final and the US Open final to Andy Roddick, will lick
his wounds back home in Spain before playing indoors in Vienna
starting October 6.
"I'm disappointed, I've lost two finals in a short time,"
said Ferrero. "But when you lose finals, it at least means you
are playing well to get into them.
"I'm sad now, but tomorrow I'll be better. At least I'll stay
number one, that was one of my goals in this tournament."
Ferrero heads back to Spain while Dent takes off for next
week's event in Moscow, leaving Bangkok with a locked-in spot
on the ATP calendar after the success of the inaugural edition
of the tournament.
news From:http://uk.sports.yahoo.com/030928/323/e9msg.html
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