Clay court specialist
David Ferrer won his first title on grass as he beat Marc Gicquel 6-4 6-2 at the Ordina Open in the Netherlands.
Ferrer, who had won just six games on grass in 13 attempts prior to this tournament, is the second Spaniard to collect an ATP title on the surface after Rafael Nadal won at Queen's Club last weekend.
"I think this proves that we Spaniards can play well on grass," said Ferrer, the first Spaniard to win at Ordina.
This was the third final of the year for Ferrer, who won earlier this season in Valencia and finished runner-up to world number two Rafael Nadal at Barcelona.
The 26-year-old, who did not drop a set in five matches here, heads into Wimbledon with a 34-12 record this season.
Thai qualifier
Tamarine Tanasugarn defeated French Open finalist and world number nine Dinara Safina 7-5 6-3 to win the Den Bosch Open on Saturday.
Tanasugarn, ranked 85, won her first title on grass after surviving a break in the first set and winning a hard-fought second set in which she saved eight break points.
"Maybe it was more difficult for Dinara, as she was seeded and playing really well lately, and I was coming out of the qualies; that could have put some pressure on her today," said Tamarine whose previous title came in Hyderabad in 2003.
"After she had the chance to serve out the first set I think her level fell a bit, and once I got to the second set I felt great, and that I could really win this match."
Tamarine now heads for Wimbledon where she has on six occasions reached the fourth round. She tackles the Czech Republic's Petra Cetkovska in the first round.
(source India Times Sports, photo/ROBERT VOS/AFP/Getty Images)
You need to be a member of Tennisopolis : Tennis Social Network to add comments!
Join Tennisopolis : Tennis Social Network