The only time Marcelo Rios and Goran Ivanisevic met on the ATP Tour was in Miami in March 1998, when Rios defeated the Croatian and not only went on to win the title, but with it, claimed the World No. 1 ranking for the first time in his career.
That was just over 10 years ago, and now the two will meet again on the BlackRock Tour of Champions in the final of the Vale do Lobo Grand Champions CGD on Friday in a winner-take-all for the No. 1 spot on the South African Airways rankings.
By reaching the final, both Rios and Ivanisevic are guaranteed to overtake current leader Michael Stich, and with 400 points on offer to the winner in the Algarve, there is an extra incentive to winning this prestigious title.
In an entertaining encounter on Thursday evening, Ivanisevic overcame Fernando Meligeni for the second time in under a month having also defeated the Brazilian in the final in Turkey. The Croat’s 6-4, 6-4 victory ensured he topped the Vale do Lobo group following earlier wins over Henri Leconte and last year’s winner Sergi Bruguera.
“Fernando is a very tough player,” said Ivanisevic. “He’s another lefty and I don’t like to play lefties, but it was a lot of fun. It’s good to be in the final.”
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Looking ahead to the final against Rios, the 2001 Wimbledon champion added: “I haven’t beaten him many times in my life so I hope it’s going to change tomorrow. He has a good serve, he’s a lefty also, and he’s one of the most talented players in the history of tennis.”
One of the x-factors in the final according to Ivanisevic won’t be the weather or how fast he can serve, but what music the DJ plays during the changeovers. During the second set against Meligeni, the Croat went over to talk to the DJ and made some special requests.
“I told him the music was a little bit too old and that he should renew his CD collection with something more fresh,” joked Ivanisevic. “I need some good music for the final tomorrow.”
Meanwhile, former champion Marcelo Rios moved into the final with a 6-3, 6-1 victory over British alternate Chris Wilkinson. Rios, who captured the Vale do Lobo title in 2006, wrapped up victory in just 61 minutes.
“I think I’m playing well,” said the Chilean. “I hit the ball hard and I just tried to see what I could do. It will be a good final, Goran serves big so we will see.”
Wilkinson, who was a late replacement for the injured Thomas Muster and had a chance to reach the final himself with wins over Guillermo Vilas and Joao Cunha e Silva, added: “Marcelo was serving brilliantly the whole match, he was unbelievable. I thought I was hitting the ball okay, but he was just in a different league.”
Wilkinson will now meet Bruguera in the third place play-off on Friday.
Wednesday: Ivanisevic Steps Closer To Algarve Final After Bruguera Victory
Tuesday: Bruguera Begins Defence In Style; Says Rafa To Stay No. 1
Preview: Bruguera Set To Defend Algarve Title
