Needed boost
Shaky Kafelnikov wins Gerry Weber Open
Posted: Sunday June 14, 1998 09:23 AM
| |
This was Kafelnikov's first title since winning the Guardian Direct Cup in February
(AP) |
HALLE, Germany (AP) -- A shaky Yevgeny Kafelnikov on Sunday wasted
three match points but hung on against Magnus Larsson to capture
the Gerry Weber Open in straight sets.
Kafelnikov, needing a title to build up his dented confidence
for Wimbledon, beat the unseeded Swede, 6-4, 6-4 to capture the
US$875,000 grass event for the second straight year.
For the former French Open winner, the title was his 16th but
first since winning the Guardian Direct Cup in February.
"I've always been too nervous in decisive moments to win,"
said Kafelnikov. "But winning was the best preparation for
Wimbledon."
Kafelnikov threatened to blowout Larsson, a former top 10 player
making a comeback from a lingering virus. Attacking the net, the
world No. 7 swept the first set in 33 minutes and jumped to a 5-1
lead in the second.
"I think I had no chance, he put too much pressure on me. To
his credit, he made me look bad," said Larsson, ranked 51st.
But the second-seeded Kafelnikov double faulted to let Larsson
close to 5-3 and allowed two match points to slip away in the next
game.
After the second one, a forehand that sailed long, the nervous
Russian shook his fists at the sky, blaming the error on the sound
of an overhead jet.
"The whole situation was ticklish," said Kafelnikov. "First
came the break, then he broke back and I lost my concentration
again.'
Kafelnikov fell behind 0-30 in the next game, with his lead
melted to 5-4. But the Russian then recovered his poise although a
third match point slipped away when his hard volley narrowly missed
the line.
Kafelnikov took home US$122,000 for the title, while Larsson
earned US$72,400 and will move back into the top 40.
Larsson, now healthy again, had reached the final without
dropping a set.
"I hope I can reach the top 10 again," he said. "If I'm
healthy and happy, I know I can."
Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
| 
