Fine Wins by Querrey and Llodra-Benneteau

By Joel Drucker

By the time the final curtain had dropped on the 2008 Tennis Channel Open, it was clear that the tournament had experienced a good degree of the improbable.

Night one had kicked off with a remarkable matchup, pitting former world number ones Lleyton Hewitt and Marat Safin. Hewitt's comprehensive 6-2, 6-1 dismantling of the 28-year-old Russian gave every indication that he was in prime position to give a go at successfully defending his title. But in just the start of many surprises, Hewitt, seeded second here, was tripped up by Frenchman Julien Benneteau 6-3, 7-5. The next day the plot thickened when number one seed Fernando Gonzalez was upended by Russian Evgeny Korolev, a 6-3, 7-6 effort that took Korolev a staggering 11 match points to clouse out.

So with the top two seeds out, the stage was set over the final weekend for an entertaining conclusion – that is, one with a new champion. Would it be the resurgent American Robby Ginepri? The South American version of Hewitt, grinder par excellence Guillermo Canas? For in theory, these two are fit for competing in Las Vegas. It's an odd twist: Las Vegas may love glitz and glamour, but winning Tennis Channel Open requires quite the opposite. It's a tournament where the elements dance in all directions – shining sun, afternoon shadows, swirling winds and temperatures that can cover a 40 degree range. The challenge is significant. Only the mentally strong survive. With Ginepri upgrading his game under the tutelage of guru Jose Higueras, and Canas rarely perturbed by any external factors, these two seemed the likely finalists.

It was not to be. Ginepri was taken out by the surprise of the tournament – Kevin Anderson, a South African qualifier who prior to this week had never won a match in an ATP event. From how he played, though, you wouldn't know it, as the 6' 7" Anderson's mix of big serving, steady baseline play and the occasional ability to rip a ball proved consistent and effective. Anderson's 7-6, 6-4 semifinal win over Ginepri was exceptionally skillful.

His opponent was a man rarely used to being the shorter one – 6' 6" American Sam Querrey, the lanky former Las Vegas resident who reached the quarters here a year ago and had at last reached a final after falling in two previous semis, including one last month in Delray Beach where he held three consecutive match points. On a brutally windy night, Querrey had composed himself superbly to fight off a set point in the first set versus Canas and earn a significant 7-5, 6-2 victory.

With a first ATP title at stake for both of them, Querrey's stature as the slight favorite perhaps contributed to a tight start for him. Broken right away to start the match, Querrey dropped the first set 6-4 and teetered near the edge throughout the second. But then it was if a damn broke, Querrey earning the second 6-3. And soon enough, he began competing with just enough more confidence to take charge of the third, 6-4, closing out the match easily.

It was a sweet triumph for Querrey. He's the third-ranked American now behind Andy Roddick and James Blake – cracking the top 50. Certainly he will savor his trophy and $68,000 check, a moment quite emotional and memorable. And now, of course, comes the recurring challenge: Emotional and powerful as it may be to earn a title, the great champions are the ones who kick butt on Sunday, get on a plane, and keep on kicking the next time they get on the court. Only 20 years old, Querrey's appetite for competition is certainly large. It will be fascinating to see how his skills continue to evolve.

The doubles title was won in grand style the by French duo of Michael Llodra and Julien Benneteau, beating the Bryan Brothers 10-8 in a third-set match tiebreak. It was the first time Mike and Bob had ever lost in Las Vegas. And to the French team's credit, the victory was earned in grand style, Llodra and Benneteau flinging themselves at all sorts of balls, including sharp backhands, knifing volleys and fine serves. The lefty Llodra lined up to serve at 9-8 – and closed it out with a 133 mph ace right down the center.