http://www.atptennis.com/en/newsandscores/news/2004/milan_friday.asp
INDESIT ATP MILANO INDOOR 2004
FEBRUARY 13, 2004
Johansson Showing 2002 Form
The 2002 Australian Open champion, Thomas Johansson, proved that he is back in
top form Friday at the INDESIT ATP Milano Indoor 2004 by defeating Karol Kucer
a of Slovakia in straight sets and reaching his first ATP semifinal since Dubai
in March 2002.
After playing with injury for much of the end of the 2002 season, Johansson had
left knee surgery in Munich, Germany on February 11, 2003. Though he traveled
with the Swedish team to the 2003 World Team Cup he never played an official ma
tch and then sat out the entire year - even working as a tennis commentator for
Swedish television - as he rehabilitated damaged tissue above the knee cap.
Johansson played his first ATP match in Adelaide last month, notching a straigh
t set win over Arnaud Clement among others to reach the quarterfinals. The Swed
e will have a protected ATP Entry Ranking of No. 23 in 2004 for nine months or
eight tournaments but with continued performances such as this week in Milan, t
he comeback trail will be quick for Johansson.
In other action, two Frenchmen reached the semifinals with hard-serving Gregory
Carraz and 30-year-old Antony Dupuis both winning. This will be Carraz's first
ATP semifinal since Newport, last year on grass and Dupuis' first since March
2002 (Delray Beach). And 19-year-old Mario Ancic of Croatia reached an ATP semi
final for the first time in his career with a straight set win over third-seede
d Tommy Robredo of Spain.
WHAT THE PLAYERS SAID
Johansson: “Today I think I played at my top, I don’t think I can play better
than I did today. I am very happy with the way I played, especially from the
baseline, he runs down every ball, you have to hit and hit and I did that very
well today.”
About his comeback “I think I am on the right track. We have been working very
hard in Stockholm and in Monaco, with the physical training as well, so I feel
I could have stayed there for another two hours if I had had to.”
Dupuis: “I think I am in a good state both physically and from a tennis point
of view and I can do good things on the tennis court. Anything could have happe
ned this week, I could have lost this match but I would have gone off the court
knowing that I played well. I actually came to Milan with my coach and our wiv
es thinking that I would lose in the first round…”
About Youzhny “I had to play his forehand because his backhand is exceptional.
That was the key of the match.”
About starting late on the ATP circuit
“Only at 25 years of age I got a coach (Benoit Carelli) and started being seri
ous about playing on the ATP circuit. Before that I did not have the dedication
.”
Carraz: “I played my usual game and took advantage of the few opportunities I
had. I knew that I would have my chance in the second set tiebreak because I wa
s returning well.”
About his late development
“I was a good junior player but then I did not have great results between the
ages of 18 and 25. I have been making steady progress since I started working w
ith my coach Jerome Prigent in 2000. I was ranked 600 then and I have improved
each year since.”
Ancic: “I think from the match with Santoro until today I have been playing pr
etty good tennis. Also today attacking his second serve, he’s a player who won
’t give you too much but I had to make him miss. Also my serve was working so
I had less pressure, I was returning really good and volleying really good.”
“I am happy with all the three matches this week (and hope to) continue like t
his tomorrow.”
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