Snakes n’ Ladders: Murray, Ivanovic grab a boost

 

Originally published on: 18/10/10 13:49

Confidence seemed to be the word on everyone’s lips last week as Andy Murray and Ana Ivanovic secured morale-boosting wins in Shanghai and Linz respectively.

“I had confidence from my last few matches and that helped me stay aggressive,” said Ivanovic after winning her first title in two years at the Austrian tournament.

Murray, meanwhile, scored an impressive 6-3 6-2 victory over Roger Federer to give him further belief that he can clinch that elusive Grand Slam.

“I need to play like I did this week for a whole tournament in the Slams,” said the world No.4. “Beating guys like Roger, beating guys like Rafa [Nadal] gives you confidence that when you do play them in the big tournaments you will beat them.”

Forty-year-old Kimiko Date Krumm also claimed a sizeable chunk of the attention after returning to the world’s top 50 following an extraordinary week in Osaka, which consisted of victories over Sam Stosur and Shahar Peer before she came unstuck against 33-year-old Tamarine Tanasurgen in the final.

“Everyone thought it was impossible, but impossible is nothing,” said Date-Krumm. “Tennis isn’t only speed and power – you play mentally. I used everything and played with nothing to lose.”

Elsewhere, Nikolay Davydenko’s limp recent run of form – his latest loss coming to world No.98 Mischa Zverev in Shanghai last week – saw him slip outside the world’s top 10, while Juan Monaco was also a big mover, albeit in the right direction, climbing 15 places to 26th after his run to the Shanghai semis.

Movers

Tamarine Tanasugarn – although Japan’s Kimiko Date-Krumm took much of the media spotlight, it was the Taiwanese woman who captured the Japan Open title, rising 32 places to 64th.
Mischa Zverev – the 23-year-old climbs 20 places and now sits just inside the top 100 following his impressive victory over Nikolay Davydenko.
Tobias Kamke – the German moved to a career high No.72 after defeating Ryan Harrison in the final of an ATP Challenger event in Tiburon, USA.

Shakers

Nikolay Davydenko – the former world No.3 is still struggling for a return to winning ways as he falls outside the top 10.
Alejandro Falla – the Colombian was the week’s biggest faller, dropping 16 places – largely due to his decision not to defend his title at a  challenger in Rennes.

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