The 2005 Pro Tennis
World Open heads for a dramatic finish Sunday, with Davide Sanguinetti
vs. Karol Beck in the singles final, scheduled for 1:00 pm on Center
Court at Sunrise Tennis Club.
No. 3 seed Karol Beck, a hard-courter from Slovakia
with a booming backhand and currently ranked 42 in the world, faces
33-year old Italian Davide Sanguinetti, after dismissing Tomas Zib
6-3 6-2 in the semis on Saturday.
In 2004 Beck, nicknamed “Beckis”, had
his best year in Grand Slams, reaching the 2nd round at the Australian
Open, 3rd round at Wimbledon and 4th round at the US Open. Last
year, Sanguinetti posted a 13-7 record on the ATP Challenger circuit,
and reached the QF at Shanghai. He won his first ATP career titles
in 2002 in Milan and Delray Beach at age 29. Sanguinetti struggled
in the first set against Christophe Rochus in the semis –
but finished strongly to win 6-7(6) 6-1 6-1.
The marquee doubles team Jan-Michael Gambill/Mark
Philippoussis defeated Americans Justin Gimelstob/Brian Macphie
in Saturday’s QF 6-3 7-6(3); then returned later to survive
a strong challenge by Karol Beck/Jaroslav Levinsky 6-3 1-6 7-6(2).
The U.S. team of Rick Leach and Travis Parrott came
on like gangbusters Saturday, defeating Daniele Bracciali/Christophe
Rochus 7-5 6-1; then taking on the fresher team of Luis Horna/Jose
Acasuso, who had won their QF in straight sets on Friday. The second
set was a thriller, but the Americans came through 6-1 7-6(10).
The PTWO doubles final will take place following singles
today on Center Court.
Sunday’s final matches:
1:00 pm - Karol Beck (SVK) vs. Davide Sanguinetti
(ITA)
followed by:
Jan-Michael Gambill (USA)/Mark Philippoussis (AUS) vs. Rick Leach
(USA)/Travis Parrott (USA)
The Pro Tennis World Open runs From March 13 – 20, 2005 at
Sunrise Tennis Club, 9605 W. Oakland Park Blvd., Sunrise FL 33351.
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