August 1, 2007

Cedric Pioline’s charge towards the final at the s Tennis Masters in Graz was interrupted by violent thunderstorms that swept across the region on Friday.

The Frenchman needs to defeat the No.1 player in the South African Airways Champions Tour Rankings, Sergi Bruguera, if he is to meet Michael Stich in the final, but play was stopped as Pioline led the Spaniard 6-3, 1-0.

Elsewhere, Stich finished off an excellent week’s work with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Carl-Uwe Steeb. He will now play either Pioline or Goran Ivanisevic in the final, a prospect that does not exactly fill him with optimisim.

“I don’t like to play either Goran or Cedric these days!” he said.

“But I am in the final so anything is possible. If I play and serve well I have a chance.”

Thomas Muster will feature in the 3rd/4th place match on Saturday after fighting past Pat Cash 7-5, 3-6, 10-4 (Champions' Tie-break).

“Looking at the groups and players here ,I’m happy to see myself in the position of being in the 3rd/4th place play-off. It will be a great Saturday for the crowd with great players and I’m happy to be there,” he said.

Pioline and Bruguera will play to a conclusion on Saturday, with the 3rd/4th place match and the final to follow.

After Graz, the Tour moves on to Paris, Eindhoven, Liege and Frankfurt before arriving in London for the BlackRock Masters Tennis at the Royal Albert Hall.


RESULTS – FRIDAY, 17 AUGUST, 2007

Michael Stich d Carl Uwe Steeb 6-3, 6-4
Thomas Muster d Pat Cash 7-5, 3-6, 10-4 (Champions' Tie-break)
Cedric Pioline leads Sergi Bruguera 6-3, 1-0 – suspended due to rain, postponed until Saturday



LATEST STANDINGS

GROUP A – FINAL STANDINGS
Matches won/lost (sets)
Michael Stich 3-0 (6-1)
Thomas Muster 2-1 (5-3)
Pat Cash 1-2 (3-5)
Carl-Uwe Steeb 0-3 (1-6)


GROUP B
Matches won/lost (sets)
Goran Ivanisevic 2-1 (4-3)
Cedric Pioline 1-1 (3-2)
Sergi Bruguera 1-1 (2-2)
Magnus Gustafsson 1-2 (3-5)


SCHEDULE – SATURDAY, 18 AUGUST, 2007

Time TBC - Cedric Pioline leads Sergi Bruguera 6-3, 1-0 – To Finish
14:00 - 3rd/4th place play-off
Followed by – Final