Tomic Makes History
Nineteen year old Australian BERNARD TOMIC today became the youngest AAMI Classic champion when he overcame American MARDY FISH in the final (6/4 3/6 7/5).
It was a thrilling and highly entertaining encounter which capped off a successful week’s preparation for Tomic leading into the Australian Open.
“I got a good workout. I played well, got confidence up and played three world-class players. A lot of good players have won, so to be up there with those names is great” said Tomic after the match.
Fish was happy with his form and complimentary of Tomic in defeat “He’s got a great feel for his game on the court – what’s smart what isn’t. He’s got some strengths for sure. He’s got some weaknesses that he can address. He’ll only get better” he said.
In the play-off for third and fourth, Austrian JURGEN MELZER was too good for GAEL MONFILS, winning 6/3 6/7 (10) 6/2.
PAT CASH (AUS) and HENRI LECONTE (FRA) provided a light-hearted conclusion to the day’s proceedings by playing a pro-set after the final.
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Tickets Still Available For Today's Final
Gather your friends and get down to Kooyong to support Bernard Tomic (AUS) as he takes on Mardy Fish (USA) for today's AAMI Classic title!
Matches begin at 1pm with the play off for 3rd v 4th between Gael Monfils (FRA) & Jurgen Melzer (AUT).
This will be followed by pre-final entertainment featuring Natalie Gauci (Australian Idol winner).
Followed by the Final - Bernard Tomic (AUS) v Mardy Fish (USA).
There will then be a legends match between Aussie icon Pat Cash and the flamboyant Frenchman Henri Leconte.
The weather forecast is perfect with a top temperature of 23, ideal for tennis watching.
Tickets available through Ticketmaster or at the gate.
See you there!
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Schedule for Saturday 14th Jan
From 1pm
Play off for 3rd v 4th
Gael Monfils v Jurgen Melzer
Pre Final Entertainment - Natalie Gauci
Followed by:
AAMI Classic Final
Bernard Tomic v Mardy Fish
Followed by:
Pat Cash v Henri Leconte
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Results for Extra Matches
Andy Murray def David Nalbandian 6/3 7/6 (10-8)
Sam Querrey def Viktor Troicki 6/3 67/3
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Schedule for Friday 13th January
From 11.00 am
MARDY FISH (USA) V JURGEN MELZER (AUT)
FOLLOWED BY:
ANDY MURRAY (GBR) V DAVID NALBANDIAN (ARG)
FOLLOWED BY:
VICTOR TROICKI (SRB) V SAM QUERREY (USA)
FOLLOWED BY:
ANDY RODDICK (USA) V KEI NISHIKORI (JPN)
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Tomic into AAMI Classic final
AUSTRALIAN ace Bernard Tomic is through to his first unofficial final after another stirring victory at Kooyong.
Tomic will play either Austrian Jurgen Melzer or American Mardy Fish for the AAMI Classic title on Saturday following his 6-4 4-6 7-6 (7-2) win against Frenchman Gael Monfils.
It was an intriguing semi-final against the flashy Monfils as first one player and then the other seized the momentum.
Tomic again displayed admirable concentration after he failed to serve out the match at 5-3 in the third set and then couldn't convert two match points on Monfils' serve in the 12th game.
But he quickly put aside that disappointment to roar to a 5-0 lead in the third set tiebreak and clinched the win when Monfils flew a backhand over the baseline following an extended rally when neither player refused to give ground in a slice backhand duel.
The opening set seemed destined to need a tiebreak to decide it before Tomic stepped up the attack on Monfils' serve in the 10th game.
A deft lob over the advancing Frenchman brought up set point and Tomic clinched it with a heavy crosscourt forehand for a winner.
At 2-2 in the second set it was Tomic's turn to falter as he dropped serve and Monfils stepped up his first serve percentages to maintain the advance.
When Tomic netted a casual forehand volley after being poised for an easy put-away, Monfils held for 6-4 to deadlock the match.
The match appeared to be slipping away from the Australian when he flew a forehand over the baseline to give up his serve in the opening game of the third set.
And when Monfils staved off a break back point with a swinging ace down the centre of the court in the second game, the momentum had swung his way.
But Tomic kept fighting and produced a crosscourt forehand winner in the fourth game to pull back into the set.
Monfils came under fire again at 2-3 and the Aussie teenager feathered an off-forehand return past the advancing French player to grab another service break.
When Tomic easily held serve for a 5-2 lead, it was his fourth consecutive game to turn the match around.
It was Monfils' turn to fight for survival and he dug in. Tomic stood two points away from victory at 5-3 and 30-15 before a couple of errors from rushed ground strokes allowed Monfils to grab the break back.
Tomic held two match points with Monfils teetering at 5-6 and 15-40. But the Australian just couldn't get into the position to go for the winner.
He didn't mess around in the tiebreak, racing to a 5-0 lead before wrapping it up 7-2 for his place in the final.
Article courtesy Bruce Matthews - Herald Sun
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Schedule for Thursday 12th 2012
Schedule Thursday January 12, 2012
11am
JO-WILFRIED TSONGA v KEI NISHIKORI (who replaces MILOS RAONIC)
followed by
BERNARD TOMIC v GAEL MONFILS
followed by
ANDY RODDICK v TOMAS BERDYCH
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Challenging Conditions on Day 1 at Kooyong
After a rain delay and in some of the windiest conditions ever experienced at Kooyong, play got under way on day one of the 2012 AAMI Classic around 1.00 pm. JO-WILFRIED TSONGA (FRA) was first-up against JURGEN MELZER (AUT). Melzer was too good for a jet-lagged Tsonga, winning 6/4 6/3. Tsonga had arrived late from his Doha victory and struggled with the prevailing winds. Melzer had a back injury last year causing him to drop in the rankings. “I’m feeling fine and have been practising five hours a day. I’m happy with the way it is” he said after the match.
In the second match of the day, Australia’s top ranked player, BERNARD TOMIC showed good form going into the Open by beating world no. 7 TOMAS BERDYCH (CZE) 4/6, 6/3 6/4. When asked how important it was to win these types of matches, Tomic said “Yeah. I mean, I like to win as much as I can. Even being in this tournament, this is one of the most serious exhibitions there is. I work on my things as well and you can only learn and get confidence if you win a few matches under your belt”.
MARDY FISH (USA) had an easy win over a weary MILOS RAONIC (CAN) – 6/1 6/2, who later withdrew from the event with an upset stomach. “It’s been a long time since I’ve really felt 100% healthy, which I do now. And now I just need the matches and I need to get going again” Fish said in his after-match media conference.
In the last match of the day GAEL MONFILS (FRA) defeated American ANDY RODDICK 7/6 (2) 7/6 (3) in an entertaining match which provided great preparation for the Australian Open for both players.
Tomorrow’s schedule starting at 11.00 am sees JO-WILFRIED TSONGA take on Japanese sensation, KEI NISHIKORI, who replaces MILOS RAONIC. BERNARD TOMIC meets GAEL MONFILS in the second match and ANDY RODDICK is up against TOMAS BERDYCH in the last match of the day.
Tickets are available through Ticketmaster or at the gate.
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Schedule for Wednesday 11th 2012
Schedule Of Play
Wednesday, January 11, 2102
From 11am
Jo Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) v Jurgen Melzer (AUT)
followed by:
Bernard Tomic (AUS) v Tomas Berdych (CZE)
followed by:
Mardy Fish (USA) v Milos Raonic (CAN)
followed by:
Gael Monfils (FRA) v Andy Roddick (USA)
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AAMI Classic Preview
2012 AAMI CLASSIC UPDATE
Kooyong is looking forward to hosting a classic four days of tennis (Jan. 11-14) next week, with five of its participants experiencing good results in current tournaments around the world.
Top-ranked Australian BERNARD TOMIC (42) takes on Brit ANDY MURRAY (4) in the second semi-final this afternoon in the Brisbane International. Murray will make a special appearance at Kooyong on Friday, Jan. 13.
GAEL MONFILS (FRA – 16) had a great win overnight in Doha over Rafael Nadal, placing him in the final tomorrow against compatriot JO-WILFRIED TSONGA (6). Tsonga had a walkover against Roger Federer who withdrew before the match with a back injury.
Czech TOMAS BERDYCH (7) is in the final of the Hopman Cup today against France.
ATP Newcomer of the Year, MILOS RAONIC (CAN-31), serving 15 aces, overpowered Israeli Dudi Sela in a powerful performance last night in Chennai and now plays Nicolas Almagro from Spain in the semis.
ANDY RODDICK (USA-14) landed in Melbourne yesterday and headed to Kooyong this morning for an extensive practice session. MARDY FISH (USA-8) is expected from Perth later today.
Play starts at 11.00 am next Wednesday when all eight take to centre court at Kooyong, the spiritual home of Australian tennis.
All eight players will participate in a media conference at Federation Square on Tuesday, Jan. 10 at 11.30 am and will follow up with a public appearance on the Fed Square stage at 12.15 pm.
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