Nieminen defeated in three sets in Sydney final
Nalbandian too good in two-hour thriller
|
|
|
Jarkko Nieminen was unable to add to his total of one career tournament victory in nine attempts in the final of the MediBank International in Sydney on Saturday, going down 3-6, 7-6 (11-9), 2-6 to world No. 11 David Nalbandian of Argentina.
Nieminen now turns his eyes to the season's first Grand Slam event, the Australian Open, which starts in Melbourne on Monday.
The Finnish left-hander, who defeated world No.3 and top-seeded Novak Djokovic in the semi-final, was not outclassed in an entertaining and high-quality match that lasted two hours and 20 minutes, but Nalbandian broke him three times in the final set to cruise home quite comfortably.
The Argentine had also started in fine form, but Nieminen clawed his way back into the match in the second set, recovering from a precarious position at 4-5 down on Nalbandian's service to break his opponent to love, and he went on to force a tie-break that he eventually won on the 20th point.
Nieminen had already come close to taking the set 7-5, holding three set points against Nalbandian's faltering service, but the Argentine doggedly fought back from 0-40 to hold.
Any thoughts that Nieminen might have had the momentum after the long tie-break went his way were dispelled early in the third set as Nalbandian took charge and ran away to a 5-2 lead.
This was the eleventh time the two players had met, and the current score is 7-4 in Nalbandian's favour.
In spite of the galling defeat in the final, the Sydney tournament was good preparation for Nieminen as he sets out to defend the 500 ATP points he won last year at the Australian Open, when he reached the quarter-finals.
His first opponent in Melbourne next week will be the 28th seed Paul-Henri Mathieu of France.
This week's wins are likely to see Nieminen move up a few places on the ATP ladder, but conversely an early exit in Melbourne will prove costly.
More on this subject:
 Nieminen forced to retire from Australian Open with leg injury
Jarkko Nieminen upsets world No.3 Novak Djokovic to secure final spot in Sydney
Links:
ATP report on the final
Jarkko Nieminen on the ATP site
Helsingin Sanomat
|
|
