|
Post by Lee on Oct 5, 2003 1:46:21 GMT -5
|
|
Aleta4
Junior Member
Posts: 36
|
Post by Aleta4 on Oct 5, 2003 5:48:31 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by Lee on Oct 5, 2003 5:53:02 GMT -5
|
|
Aleta4
Junior Member
Posts: 36
|
Post by Aleta4 on Oct 5, 2003 6:49:44 GMT -5
awwww this one is sooo cute he looks so happy
|
|
|
Post by vaiva on Oct 5, 2003 6:51:46 GMT -5
Rainer
|
|
|
Post by vaiva on Oct 5, 2003 7:42:49 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by Kiro on Oct 5, 2003 11:28:32 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by TennisHack on Oct 5, 2003 11:30:51 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by RogiFan on Oct 5, 2003 12:27:27 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by Lee on Oct 5, 2003 16:21:27 GMT -5
He credit his success this year to his TKD training during off season last year. And you bet he will keep going! ;D ;D Again Rainer
|
|
|
Post by Lee on Oct 10, 2003 1:23:19 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by Kiro on Oct 10, 2003 3:13:53 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by TennisHack on Oct 10, 2003 13:14:26 GMT -5
Congrats, Rainer! A totally deserving player And one that can kick Roddick's ass if necesary ;D
|
|
Aleta4
Junior Member
Posts: 36
|
Post by Aleta4 on Oct 10, 2003 15:13:37 GMT -5
"I'm very happy to be in the Masters," Schuettler said. "I've had a great season and I'm pretty proud, actually." Shuettler's Masters qualification is the reward for a supremely solid year. A surprise finalist against Andre Agassi in the Australian Open, the 27-year-old German has won in Tokyo and made two other finals. He also posted four semifinals and reached the quarterfinals or better in 14 of 24 tournaments. "To be in the top-8 and play the Tennis Masters Cup in Houston was a dream after I was in the final of the Australian Open. I'm so happy I could fulfill this dream so early," Schuettler said in Lyon. It was Schuettler's 62nd win of the season, putting the German in third position behind Roger Federer and Andy Roddick, who have both won 63 matches in 2003. Schuettler now plays Russia's Mikhail Youzhny in Saturday's semi-final here. Schuettler and Youzhny are friends, regular hitting partners and are in the semi-finals of the doubles event here.
|
|
|
Post by Lee on Oct 10, 2003 15:33:20 GMT -5
TENNIS MASTERS CUP HOUSTON October 10, 2003
Schuettler Books Ticket to 2003 Tennis Masters Cup
Rainer Schuettler of Germany became the sixth player to qualify for the season-ending Tennis Masters Cup, Nov. 8-16, at the Westside Tennis Club in Houston. Schuettler clinched his place in the Tennis Masters Cup as a result of his semifinal showing at the Grand Prix de Tennis de Lyon this week, coming on the heels of his tournament title in Tokyo.
Schuettler is the first German to qualify for the year-end championship since Nicolas Kiefer advanced to the semifinals in 1999 in Hannover, Germany. Boris Becker (1992, '95) and Michael Stich (1993) are the only players from Germany to capture the year-end title.
“To be in the top 8 and play the Tennis Masters Cup in Houston was a dream after I was in the final of the Australian Open 2003,” said Schuettler. “I am happy that I could fulfill this dream so early and be one of the eight players in the world to participate in Houston. I know it will be great for the German fans to have a countryman in this event. Eurosport is televising the whole event, so I am sure that a lot of fans will support my matches in Houston.”
And Schuettler will be following a rich German tradition in the year-end championships. “I was a young boy when Becker and Stich became Masters champions. During this time, I couldn’t imagine that I could be one of the participants one day. But I am happy to have qualified, and I am looking forward to finish this season in Houston.”
The 27-year-old Schuettler, who stands sixth in the ATP Champions Race 2003, captured his first ATP title of the season last Sunday at the Japan Open in Tokyo, defeating Sebastien Grosjean. Schuettler began the season by reaching his first Grand Slam final at the Australian Open and last month he was runner-up at the Brasil Open in Costa do Sauipe. He has been one of the most consistent performers on the ATP circuit this year, reaching the quarterfinals or better in 14 of 24 tournaments.
The other top five players in the ATP Champions Race have qualified for the Tennis Masters Cup Houston, the year-end tournament where the best eight players of 2003 collide. Following their showings at the US Open, the final Grand Slam event of 2003, Andy Roddick, Juan Carlos Ferrero, Roger Federer and Andre Agassi have guaranteed a place in Houston. They are the four Grand Slam winners of 2003. No. 5 Guillermo Coria secured a spot last week.
The last two spots will be decided in the final four weeks of the 2003 ATP season which will include the Tennis Masters Madrid (Oct 13-19) and the BNP Paribas Masters in Paris (Oct 27 - Nov 2).
The top eight players in the ATP Champions Race 2003 as of November 3 qualify for the Tennis Masters Cup Houston, co-owned by the ATP, Grand Slams and ITF. The World No. 1 has been crowned during the week of the Tennis Masters Cup in each of the past three years.
from ATPtennis.com
Even though I know he will be in Houston, it feels so much better when it's official! YESSSSSSSSS
|
|
|
Post by Lee on Oct 10, 2003 16:23:45 GMT -5
Red Hot Rainer Enters Masters Cup Lyon, France - Hot German Rainer Schuettler highlighted Friday's quarterfinal winners at the Lyon Tennis Grand Prix. The victory propelled the German into his first-ever Tennis Masters Cup, to be held in Houston next month.
The top-seeded Schuettler is closing in on his second title in two weeks after beating talented Belgian Xavier Malisse 7-6 (7-2), 6-4. The German star secured his first title in two years by beating Frenchman Sebastien Grosjean in last week's Japan Open final in Tokyo.
Schuettler's semifinal opponent on Saturday will be dangerous Russian Mikhail Youzhny.
The consistent Schuettler grabbed the sixth spot for the prestigious eight-man field in Houston, which will host the Masters Cup at the Westside Tennis Club from November 8-16. The 2003 Australian Open runner-up has piled up 62 match wins this year, his best ever on the ATP circuit.
Friday's other seeded victor was No. 3 Thai Paradorn Srichaphan, who just barely took out veteran Frenchman Fabrice Santoro 1-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) at the Sports Palace. Santoro was the 1997 champion here.
In other quarterfinal action, Youzhny topped American Robby Ginepri 7-6 (7-3), 6-2 and surging French crowd favorite Arnaud Clement cut down Moroccan Hicham Arazi 6-3, 6-4. Clement will meet Srichaphan here on Saturday.
Clement is fresh off his title in Metz, France last week and captured this Lyon tournament in 2000.
from: gotennis.com
|
|
|
Post by RogiFan on Oct 10, 2003 19:45:26 GMT -5
Yay for Rainer! Good for him! He deserves to be in Houston!! Yeah, Srichy won too and Misha!! Tough Semis!! May the best men win!! I'm happy for you Lee! Your guy made it!!
|
|
|
Post by Lee on Oct 11, 2003 18:15:29 GMT -5
Rainer But he worries me a bit with his ankle about his ankle "I just jammed it a little when I was hitting a forehand in the middle of the second set. I had the trainer come out to look at it just to see if it's something that could get worse. It bothered me a little when I was pushing off on my serve, but it didn't get any worse and it should be fine for tomorrow after I get some treatment."
From: atptennis.com At least he will have a week rest between the 2 TMS event. *sigh*
|
|
|
Post by Lee on Oct 12, 2003 4:33:47 GMT -5
Shattered Schuettler reaches Lyon final 2003-10-11 15:40:33 GMT (Reuters) By Eric Salliot LYON, France, Oct 11 (Reuters) - Workaholic Rainer Schuettler of Germany battled past Russian Mikhail Youzhny 6-3 3-6 7-5 in the Lyon Grand Prix on Saturday to reach his second final in successive weeks. Champion in Tokyo last week, Schuettler outlasted his Russian opponent after Youzhny had come within two points of victory in the final set. In the second semi-final, France's Arnaud Clement meets Thailand's third seed Paradorn Srichaphan later on Saturday. "Experience made the difference in the end. I was really tired but he was under more pressure than me because this meant more to him than to me," said Schuettler. Runner-up at the Australian Open in January, Schuettler realised one of his dreams earlier this week in Lyon by becoming the fourth German to qualify for the season-ending Masters Cup. He looked on a roll in the first set but suddenly faltered in the second when his right foot started aching and he was unable to run down Youzhny's shots. One break was enough for the Russian to win the second set and he took Schuettler's serve once more in the third as the top seed seemed to have run out of steam. Youzhny served for the match at 5-4 and led 30-15. But Schuettler picked himself up and while the Russian lost his nerve, went on to win the last three games. I love this workaholic! I used to worry him playing too many tournaments but it seems he thrives on playing.
|
|
|
Post by Lee on Oct 12, 2003 10:09:52 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by Lee on Oct 12, 2003 10:25:11 GMT -5
Schuettler wins second straight tournament in Lyon 2003-10-12 14:56:49 GMT (Reuters) LYON, France, Oct 12 (Reuters) - German top seed Rainer Schuettler outclassed France's Arnaud Clement 7-5 6-3 to win his second straight tournament victory at the Lyon Grand Prix on Sunday.
Winner in Tokyo a week ago, Schuettler overcame fatigue to outpace and outwit Clement, who had also won a tournament last week in Metz.
The match was a one-sided affair and Schuettler, who qualified for the Masters Cup in Houston after reaching the semi-finals in Lyon, won in one hour and 50 minutes.
The German, who reached his first final of a grand slam tournament in Australia in January, has had by far his best season on the circuit at the age of 27.
|
|
|
Post by Lee on Oct 12, 2003 13:17:40 GMT -5
A very happy Rainer but definitely tired. German top seed Rainer Schuettler smiles as he holds the winner's trophy after defeating defending champion Arnaud Clement of France, in the final of the Lyon Grand Prix tennis tournament, central France, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2003. (AP Photo/Patrick Gardin) • PATRICK GARDIN (ap_photo - dimanche 12 octobre 2003, 19h19) German top seed Rainer Schuettler reacts after defeating defending champion Arnaud Clement of France, in the final of the Lyon Grand Prix tennis tournament, central France, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2003. (AP Photo/Patrick Gardin) • PATRICK GARDIN (ap_photo - dimanche 12 octobre 2003, 19h18)
|
|
|
Post by TennisHack on Oct 12, 2003 14:08:10 GMT -5
Rainer looks so tired Here's hoping he gets a Wednesday start in Madrid!
|
|
|
Post by Lee on Oct 12, 2003 22:35:50 GMT -5
Rainer looks so tired Here's hoping he gets a Wednesday start in Madrid! With first round bye, he should be able to rest until Wednesday. Good Luck in Madrid
|
|
|
Post by Lee on Oct 12, 2003 22:59:27 GMT -5
GRAND PRIX DE TENNIS DE LYON LYON, FRANCE October 12, 2003
Schuettler Wins Second Title in Two Weeks in Lyon
Top-seeded Rainer Schuettler won his second ATP title in as many weeks, defeating unseeded Arnaud Clement in just under two hours Sunday at the Grand Prix de Tennis de Lyon. Both players were coming off tournament wins last week, Schuettler in Tokyo and Clement in Metz, and were both bidding for their 10th consecutive match victory.
Schuettler went up early with leads of 3-0 and 5-2 in the first set before Clement got back into the match to even the first set at 5-all. Schuettler then won eight of the next 10 points to take the first set 7-5. Clement continued to battle in the second, but for every attacking play, the quick German had a better counterpunching response. Schuettler won 7-5, 6-3.
The win was Schuettler's fourth ATP title and earned him 45 ATP Champions Race points and $113,000. Schuettler became the first German to win this event after Tommy Haas reached the final in 1997 and 1998.
Schuettler joins four other players who have won back-to-back titles this year: Lleyton Hewitt, Guillermo Coria, Andy Roddick and Taylor Dent.
Clement was looking to win his second Lyon title after winning in 2000. During his nine-match win streak Clement had dropped just one set (in the Metz final against Fernando Gonzalez) and had yet to drop a set in Lyon before Sunday's final.
WHAT THE PLAYERS SAID Schuettler: "I knew it was going to be a tough match because I watched a little of Arnaud's match against Paradorn yesterday. After I won the first set I felt pretty good. He was trying to put pressure on me but I was waiting for him to attack because passing shots are one of my strengths and luckily it was working.
"I know he likes to mix it up, play serve and volley. I liked it when he came close to the net because I could lob him and he had to guess what I was going to do with the ball. It was a great atmosphere out there and the crowd was pulling for him, but I tought they were fair and I have been playing well under pressure all week, so I liked being out there."
about winning two titles after title drought "I've had a good hear, but obviously it sounds better if you win titles. If you get to the late rounds, OK, it might be a good result but people don't really remember. But when you win titles, that's when people notice."
about taking time off "Tonight and tomorrow I am going to relax a little and not think about tennis or come onto the court. I don't get too much time to take a vacation but I took some days after Wimbledon and I have 10 days planned after the season. Last year I went to the beach, this year, I think since I live in Switzerland, I'll probably take a ski vacation."
about playing best tennis "There have been several times this year when I've played good tennis. I don't know if this was my 'best' tennis but certainly I played well. After I clinched the berth in Houston I was having fun out there and playing relaxed. There was no pressure on me."
about physical "The match was over 2 hours. Sure I'm tired but I felt good going into the match. My physio, Alex Stober, prepared me really well and fitness is one of my strong points. If I go out there, I'm going to focus all my energies and give it my best. There's no reason not to work hard during the match.
Clement: "Physically Rainer Schuettler is a giant, he's quick in his legs, imposing and a great counterpuncher. During the match I never let down but he played the match of the week and it also seemed logical that he came out victorious."
"What I'm proud of is that I kept up my level of play from last week [in Metz]. And I won four matches this week, two of them playing well and two of them while not playing so well. It's a good sign to win matches when you aren't playing your best.
"Playing in France these past two weeks has been fantastic. Of course it motivates you. It will be a big test for me to see how I respond in Madrid next week when I am not playing in France and to stay at my best level of tennis."
|
|
|
Post by Lee on Oct 13, 2003 0:01:48 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by TennisHack on Oct 22, 2003 23:54:13 GMT -5
A nice feature story on our favorite German Steady Schuettler took slow route to the top2003-10-23 01:00:08 GMT (Reuters) By Patrick Vignal BERLIN, Oct 23 (Reuters) - Others are more spectacular, some are more glamorous and several are probably more gifted but few tennis players are as steady as Rainer Schuettler. The German did not play tennis until he was 10, made only sporadic appearances on the ATP circuit until he was 22 and had won just two minor tournaments when this year's season started. The 27-year-old Schuettler never stopped improving but he did it at his own pace and it was not until he reached the Australian Open final in January that the tennis world began to take notice. Consistent performances followed until this month, when back-to-back victories in Tokyo and Lyon sent him straight into next month's Masters Cup for the top eight players. "I've improved my ranking every year since I've been on the tour," the modest German said after winning a ticket to the season-ender in Houston. "The top 20 was my goal when the season started and after Australia it was the top 10. Now it's the top five and then it might be the top three, but one step at a time." Making it frequently past the first few rounds but rarely to the finals and hardly ever winning a tournament had been Schuettler's recipe for slowly move up the rankings until his breakthrough in Melbourne gave him new confidence and made him realise that he could challenge the very best. TYPICALLY GERMAN Before that he had won only two ATP titles, in Doha in 1999 and two years later in Shanghai. He has four now, which is still not many but even the top names know that he has to be treated seriously. "An extremely solid, typically German guy," as his coach Dirk Hordorff once described him, Schuettler was few people's tip when German tennis was desperately seeking a successor to Boris Becker and Michael Stich. Tommy Haas and Nicolas Kiefer were the players generally mentioned but while both struggled to live up to expectations, the workaholic Schuettler kept sweating it out and working his way up. With Haas sidelined by a shoulder injury and an erratic Kiefer rarely surviving early rounds, Schuettler was the man who restored the pride of the tennis-mad nation. His surprise run to the Melbourne final brought a ray of hope to frustrated German fans and won him praise from Becker and Stich alike. "He is probably the most fit player on the circuit and certainly the most professional," said Becker. "Some do more fancy things but when it comes to making the most of your potential, he's the best." All-round ability, devastating returns and impeccable fitness are the keys to Schuettler's achievements but Stich pointed out that his attitude was also just right. "Haas and Kiefer were made stars before they had really achieved anything," Stich said. "That did not happen to Schuettler and there is no risk he will get carried away. His feet will remain firmly on the ground." WATCHED BECKER Schuettler, who comes from a small town in central Germany, started out playing soccer and did not seriously consider becoming a professional tennis player until he was a teenager. He had never touched a racket when, aged nine, he sat in front of his television to watch Becker win the first of his three Wimbledon titles in 1985. While Becker and Steffi Graf still get considerable attention from German celebrity magazines years after the end of their playing careers, Schuettler makes headlines only for his tennis achievements and he likes it that way. "I just do my own thing," said the German, who has been surrounded by the same friends for years and does his best to avoid the limelight. Other players his age already have thoughts of retirement but Schuettler sees no reason why his progression should stop and his coach agrees. "He can still improve," said Hordorff. "His best is yet to come."
|
|
|
Post by TennisHack on Oct 22, 2003 23:56:33 GMT -5
Pictures from St. Petersburg: Rainer Schuettler of Germany returns a shot during the first-round match against Jean-Rene Lisnard of France at the St. Petersburg Open tennis tournament Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2003. Schuettler won 7-6 (5), 6-1. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky) German Rainer Schuettler returns to French Jean-Rene Lisnard at the ATP St. Petersburg Open tennis tournament in St. Petersburg 22 October 2003. AFP/ALEXANDER NIKOLAYEV
|
|
|
Post by Lee on Oct 23, 2003 11:08:17 GMT -5
After a week's rest, Rainer back to his Mr. Consistency form. Winning 2 rounds of singles and doubles. Thanks for the pic, Hackie! ;D Just recognise Rainer didn't have his cap on! Well, these are indoor tournament and that makes sense. (went back and check pix from Lyon and yes, no cap there)
|
|
|
Post by Kiro on Oct 24, 2003 10:00:35 GMT -5
Pics of Rainer, from St. Petersburg: I love the second one! www.sohu.com
|
|