Croatia's Ancic wins first ATP title
Croatia's Mario Ancic holds his first ATP trophy
Croatia's Mario Ancic holds his trophy after his victory over France's Michael Llodra at the Ordina Open tennis tournament in the Dutch town of Rosmalen June 19, 2005. Ancic underlined his grasscourt credentials on Sunday, beating defending champion Llodra 7-5 6-4 to win the Ordina Open. REUTERS/Toussaint Kluiters
Croatia's Ancic wins first ATP title
21-year-old beats Llorda in Ordina Open finalThe Associated Press
Updated: 11:18 a.m. ET June 19, 2005DEN BOSCH, Netherlands - Mario Ancic of Croatia won his first ATP title at the Ordina Open on Sunday, beating defending champion Michael Llodra 7-5, 6-4.
It was the first victory in three finals for the 21-year-old Ancic, whose powerful serve befuddled his opponent. “I played some good points when I needed them,� Ancic said.
Ancic reached the semifinals of Wimbledon last year after also making the semifinals at Den Bosch. He said he hoped to “continue the tradition� in his opening match this year at Wimbledon, which starts Monday. Ancic, seeded 10th, will meet German qualifier Tobias Summerer in his first match.
Ancic was the last man to beat No. 1 Roger Federer at Wimbledon, knocking him out in the first round three years ago. Asked whether Federer can be beaten this year, Ancic said, “You have to play unbelievable, and he has to be not 100 percent on top of his game.�
Llodra said he also felt more confident for Wimbledon, despite the loss. He plays ninth-seed Sebastien Grosjean, also from France, in the first round.
Against Llodra, Ancic had eight aces and dropped only three points on his serve in the first set.
But Llodra played faultless serve-and-volley, losing only one of his service points until the 11th game. Ancic passed the Frenchman at the net, hit a service return winner down the line and a winner at the net. Rattled, Llodra double faulted at game point, and Ancic comfortably served out the set.
Ancic won the fifth game of the second set with a cross-court pass to go up a break. Llodra saved two match points to hold in the next game, but Ancic moved up to the net for the winning points to close out the match.
“I have been serving very good all week. For sure it is my biggest weapon,� Ancic said. “I didn’t give him too many chances to return.�
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/8277824/
http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=tennisNews&storyID=URI:urn:newsml:reuters.com:20050619:MTFH37985_2005-06-19_12-30-07_L19183036:1
http://inhome.rediff.com/sports/2005/jun/19ancic.htm
Ancic secures Ordina Open title
Latest results
Croatia's Mario Ancic confirmed he will be a threat at Wimbledon by winning the Ordina Open on grass on Sunday.
The third seed, who will be seeded 10th at Wimbledon after reaching the last four last year, beat defending champion Michael Llodra 7-5 6-4.
Ancic dropped just three points on serve in the opening set and broke his French opponent in the 11th game.
Llodra saved two break points in the fifth game of the second set before Ancic finally broke to set up victory.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/4108740.stm
