ITST - International Top Spin Tour

Men's Singles Pro - Richie1308 Thumps C4iLL

Cro Morgan (ITST - International Top Spin Tour) — Mon, 20 May 2013 17:36:59 +0200

In two “what the...” sets, Richie1308 easily harnessed his 7th ITST championship, embarrassing C4iLL in the title match of the Portugal Open, 6-1, 6-0.

How lopsided was the ITST 250 clay court final? The Portuguese police were summoned to suppress the furious fist-waving mob of tennis fans that, at the conclusion of the match, stormed the box office in demand of a ticket refund.

At the post-match press conference, protected by armed guards, C4iLL offered the following:

“It was a total no match, my worst ITST match for sure and I can't really explain why. The conditions were excellent, I was willing to play and in good form. Lot of faults, very bad anticipation, no fighting spirit, it was finished in 20 minutes. Congratulations to Richie anyway, he played perfectly well and didn't loose his concentration.”

The view from Richie1308’s side of the net:

“Surely not the best final ever played in the ITST. C4ill completely messed up this match making a huge amount of errors while I played quite great and could get an easy win. Not much to say, I could lead the game without taking risks, often waiting for him to miss his shot to get the point. Anyway I'm satisfied to get this title, it's a good way to prepare for Roland Garros which will be my principal goal.”

Men's Singles Pro - Championship No. 4 for Pigrosofo

Cro Morgan (ITST - International Top Spin Tour) — Mon, 20 May 2013 17:23:15 +0200

The Italian World No. 44 now has four ITST trophies sitting on his mantel after downing FedSerena17 in the title mach of the Sao Paulo challenger, 6-4, 6-2.

With his impressive performance on the clay courts of Brazil, Pigrosofo saw his 2013 match record swell to 48-24. In defeat, FedSerena17 slipped to 27-17.

Men's Singles Pro - MaxBou32 Smothers Danmasino in Futures Final

Cro Morgan (ITST - International Top Spin Tour) — Mon, 20 May 2013 16:41:58 +0200

On the hard courts of Central Asia, MaxBou32 collected his first tour championship, straight-setting Danmasino in the final of the Uzbekistan futures, 6-2, 6-2.

Ranked 52nd globally, MaxBou32 is now 35-32 in 2013. Danmasino returned to Italy with a match record of 25-26.

Men's Singles Pro - RestoredDraco Breaks Down GuilleGarcia in Two Quick Sets

Cro Morgan (ITST - International Top Spin Tour) — Tue, 14 May 2013 18:43:09 +0200

RestoredDraco won the first tittle in his career, taking the BMW Open championship from his Spanish compatriot, GuilleGarcia, who after the game wrote this article for the ITST.

Ranked 19th, RestoredDraco didn't let his rival breathe as GuilleGarcia couldn’t do anything in the first set. In the second, GuilleGarcia played a better game, but it wasn't enough to win against a better opponent.

Final score: 6-0, 6-2.

Only GuilleGarcia attended the Munich Tennis Club press room to give his opinions about the match.

“Congratulations to RestoredDraco on his victory today against me. It is the view, that it has made a great tournament, because he has only given 3 games in 3 matches, in a big way.”

“It wasn't a good game for me. The first set didn't have a good timing, hitting all too early, or too late, as if he had no coach. The second set is misleading, it has been more equaled what seems, most games came to deuce, but have finished taking it.”

“I am very happy with my tournament. I didn't expect me to even reach the semifinals and I managed to get to the final, making a very good match in the previous match. I get in very good shape to Rome and then Roland Garros.”

“Once again, my compliments to RestoredDraco.”

The champion will travel to Rome with confidence after winning in the German city and with a record of 5-2. GuilleGarcia will ascend this week in the rankings, which will promote him in the draws for future tournaments. He has a record of 4-5 and appears to be on the right track to improve it and finish the season among the top 20.”

Article Written by GuilleGarcia.

Men's Singles Pro - Sorauze Assaults Isaldor in Venezuela

Cro Morgan (ITST - International Top Spin Tour) — Sun, 12 May 2013 14:34:27 +0200

After a tough opener (d. Lambdo, 6-2, 7-6) it was smooth sailing for Sorauze in South America as the World No. 62 Frenchman casually disposed of Isaldor in the championship match of the Venezuela futures, 6-2, 6-1.

The title was the first for Sorauze as he saw his season mark swell to 25-20. Isaldor, also of France, departed Venezuela with a still exceptional match record of 24-4.

WHAT THE PLAYERS SAID

Sorauze: “God thank you! My first title! I'm very happy for my performance in this match and sorry for Isaldor.”

Men's Singles Pro - Vramvrim Stops Clog, Advances to R16

Cro Morgan (ITST - International Top Spin Tour) — Sat, 11 May 2013 18:23:54 +0200

It took all three sets but a determined and still improving Vramvrim prevailed, sidestepping Clog in the Round of 32 of the Mutua Madrid Open, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3.

The win marked the first time Vramvrim got the best of Clog, falling short in both of their previous meetings.

The road to the final is still littered with land mines as Vramvrim’s next opponent is projected to be Richie1308, the World No. 11 and recently crowned Sony Masters champion.

Richie1308 however still has work to do as he faces Indiantonike in the Round of 32.

If Richie1308 and Vramvrim do lock horns, Richie1308 will hold most of he cards, having won 5 or their 7 previous meetings.

Men's Singles - Swifty512 Blitz Continues

Cro Morgan (ITST - International Top Spin Tour) — Fri, 10 May 2013 18:05:28 +0200

Playing exceptional tennis - arguably the best tennis of his storied career - Swifty512 captured his 11th career title - his 7th of the season - stopping DSL1318 in the final of the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell, 6-3, 6-4.

Heading into the heart of the clay court season it would be foolish to bet against Swifty512 as the World No. 3 Englishmen saw his match record swell to 36-3.

Despite the loss, DSL1318 remans dangerous, is season mark now 16-7; his potential still untapped.

WHAT THE PLAYERS SAID

Swifty512: “I haven't played DSL in a long time and it was a really fun match. Congrats to him on making it to the final and I look forward to playing him again.”

DSL1318: “Congrats to Swifty. For me he has the best return of all ITST players - he really make my serve like it was 30 mph. I played great and I don't have any excuses, he is just better. Congrats again, and hope I will face him on another final. Great match.”

Men's Singles Pro - Francescotennis7 an ITST Champion

Cro Morgan (ITST - International Top Spin Tour) — Fri, 10 May 2013 17:48:53 +0200

Relatively new to the tour, it didn’t take long for Francescotennis7 to reach the ITST victory stand, eclipsing Briggsey in the Pro final of the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell, 6-0, 5-1, ret.

For the season Francescotennis7 is 10-5. The win launched the Italian farther north in the standings, sitting now on the 11th rung of the world ladder.

Briggsey, the World No. 35, is 7-2 for the season. His search for a title continues.

Men's Singles Pro - Kyuuji Done in Madrid; Bounced by Woowhat in R32

Cro Morgan (ITST - International Top Spin Tour) — Fri, 10 May 2013 09:11:01 +0200

And just when you thought things couldn’t get worse for the former World No. 1, Kyuuji was rudely dismissed from the Mutua Madrid Open, falling hard to Woowhat in the Round of 32, 6-1, 7-5.

While the loss can be considered an upset, Woowhat brought solid credentials to the ITST 1000 clay court Masters encounter. After 31 matches, the World No. 35 Croat has compiled an exceptional record of 22-9.

Left scratching his head after the unexpected defeat, Kyuuji is now a rather ordinary 8-6 in 2013. The floundering Frenchman is still searching for his first title of the season.

Play in Madrid continues on Friday.

Women's Singles - Advocateof04 Denies Francescotennis7

Cro Morgan (ITST - International Top Spin Tour) — Thu, 09 May 2013 06:50:04 +0200

Hoping to secure his first women’s title, Francescotennis7 was stopped by Advocateof04 in Stuttgart, Germany, falling to the World No. 2 in the final of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, 7-6, 6-1.

Advocateof04 had his hands full with the 47th ranked Italian - stumbling and almost falling in the opening set before finally regaining his balance in the second.

At the post-match press conference, Advocateof04 had nothing but good words to his vanquished opponent.

“I'd like to give a lot of praise to Francescotennis7,” said Advocateof04. “He put forth a ton of resistance throughout the entire match and the scoreline really doesn't do his skill justice. Francesco is a great addition to the tour.”

Before climbing into his new vehicle - his prize for winning the ITST 500 clay court tournament - Advocateof04 provided a few more words for the tennis scribes.

“Happy to have another title under my belt and looking forward to improving and hopefully winning more championships - now if you'd excuse me, I'd like to take my new 911 for a spin. See you in Paris.”

For the season Advocateof04 is 25-7. Francescotennis7 is 4-4.

Men's Singles - Obskur57 Battles Past Swifty512, Improves to 40-3

Cro Morgan (ITST - International Top Spin Tour) — Thu, 09 May 2013 06:17:13 +0200

In two very tight sets Obskur57 - the World No. 1 and recently crowned Monte Carlo Masters champion - lay claim to his 12th career crown, denying Swifty512 in the title match of the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell, 6-3, 7-6.

As he often does, media-shy Obskur57 passed on the post-match press conference, instead scurrying out the side door and into the arms of a waiting cab.

With the difficult loss, Swifty512 fell to 13-5.

Men's Singles Pro - Sinenobe Routs Weary MatteoProscia20

Cro Morgan (ITST - International Top Spin Tour) — Thu, 09 May 2013 05:47:59 +0200

In two blistering sets, Sinenobe collected his second ITST championship, sailing past a heavy-legged MatteoProscia20 in the title match of the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell, 6-1, 6-1.

The match was over before MatteoProscia20 knew what hit him - at least before he woke up. “In Italy it was one o’clock in the morning," said the sleepy-eyed MatteoProscia20. “I was very tired but I play the match, what a disaster.”

With the walk-in-the-park win, Sinenobe improved to 22-9. The Englishman is ranked 7th among the ITST’s best.

Women's Singles - Swifty512 Neutralizes BrushedBigJJ

Cro Morgan (ITST - International Top Spin Tour) — Thu, 09 May 2013 05:44:42 +0200

In two could-have-gone-either-way sets, Swifty512 collected his 4th women’s crown, edging BrushedBigJJ in the championship match of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, 7-6, 6-3.

With both eyes glued to Roland Garros and the World No. 1 ranking, Swifty512 is playing the best tennis of his career. World No. 2 BrushedBigJJ can attest to that fact as he fell to his British rival for the first time in four career meetings.

WHAT THE PLAYERS SAID

Swifty512: “Happy I have won. Brushed must be sick of playing me (laughs). Ah well, that’s how it goes - I’m after Roland Garros and that number one position.”

BrushedBigJJ: “Congratulations to Swifty on winning the tournament. It's been a while since he's won a 500+ WS title. He's really got a good clay court game which is really good for him now that all the big clay court tournaments are coming up.”

Men's Singles Pro - Butcher Continues to Carve Up Competition

Cro Morgan (ITST - International Top Spin Tour) — Thu, 09 May 2013 02:17:34 +0200

With his elevated level of play over the past month, Butcher could very well run the table this clay court season. Those predicting this possibility will get no argument from Robbin92 as the outgunned Dutchman fell to the in-form Croat in the final of the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell, 6-1, 7-5.

While Butcher was typically quiet after the match, Robbin92 was not.

“I started of reasonably well, getting to a couple of deuces in his first service game, however, my first service game was a disaster," said the solemn World No. 10. "I made a lot of bad decisions and got broken to love. After that the games were closer but I couldn't convert my break points, so it became a set with a harsh score.”

“In the second set (Butcher) broke me early once again and I was a bit afraid I would get another bagel or breadstick, but somehow I managed to raise my level. I don't know whether it also was cause by my increasing level but Butcher played more passive from that moment which allowed me to take initiative more often..... didn't made a difference in the end.”

The title was the 5th of the season for Butcher, his record now 36-12; Robbin92 (one title) is 23-10.

Men's Singles Pro - Isaldor Rolls Over Jeepers, Improves to 20-3

Cro Morgan (ITST - International Top Spin Tour) — Thu, 09 May 2013 00:59:43 +0200

In two very convincing sets, Isaldor captured his 3rd ITST title, soundly defeating Jeepers in the final of the Chile 2 futures, 6-0, 6-1.

Ranked 93rd globally, Isaldor returned to France with his match record fortified; his win/lose ratio now borderline gaudy at 87%.