Pat Rafter capped a perfect BlackRock Tour of Champions debut by overcoming Michael Stich 6-3, 7-6(4) to win the title in Graz today.
In a match heavily influenced by dramatic weather conditions, including torrential rain and lightning storms, Rafter produced some impressive serve-and-volley tennis to win through in an hour and 35 minutes.
The first set was decided by a single break of serve for the Australian. The second set was less comfortable as Stich fought back to level at 4-4 after going down an early break. Despite facing a set point, Rafter produced some strong serves to force the set into a tie break just as the heavens opened. Despite the heavy rainfall and fading light, both players produced some dazzling serve-and-volley tennis at the start of the tie break. At 3-3, the Australian switched up a gear to take the final four points of the match and power his way to a first BlackRock Tour of Champions title.
“It was fun to play Michael again,” said Rafter. “In the second set it turned into a really exciting match and he got back into it, played well and had set points. It was a lot of fun and then the rain came but it was good to be able to finish it. I’m looking forward to a holiday now!”
Rafter also paid tribute to a successful tournament in Graz.
“All in all I thought this was a really good event,” he said. “I had been told beforehand that it was a great show here and that the tournament director would look after us beautifully, and we really were.”
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Despite losing to Rafter, Stich’s final appearance was enough to catapult him to the top of the South African Airways rankings, toppling previous number one Goran Ivanisevic in the process.
The German was a happy man.
“I secured the World No. 1 ranking spot!” he said. “I’ve never been No. 1 in the world before so finally I made that! The week wasn’t that bad after all! Rafter plays serve-and-volley all the time on his first and second serve and that makes it dangerous and different. He is just a great bloke and a fun guy to be with. He likes to compete but still have a good time and that is what we want to do.”
In the first match on court today, Frenchman Henri Leconte defeated Marc-Kevin Goellner of Germany in the play-off match for third place. Leconte, who took the place of the injured Thomas Muster, overpowered his opponent with his skill and variety to win convincingly in an hour and 18 minutes.
The Frenchman was delighted to be regaining some form.
“I’m very happy,” he said. “It’s been a long, long time since I’ve played this well. I’m happy because the tennis is coming back. I think I’ve played five matches this week and I don’t feel any pain so that’s really good for next week in Algarve. Everything is great in Algarve. It’s well organized the weather is great. The venue is fantastic, hotel and pool is great. And then we also have to play tennis, that’s maybe the worst part…! No, I’m joking, it’s good and a great place to be.”
Next week the BlackRock Tour of Champions will arrive at the Vale do Lobo Tennis Academy in the Algarve where the likes of Muster, Marcelo Rios, Goran Ivanisevic, and Guillermo Vilas will be competing to win the Vale do Lobo Grand Champions CGD.
On-site contact: Martin Dagahs – mdagahs@atptennis.com or +43 316 572 618
THE PAT RAFTER INTERVIEW part one
Pat Rafter is back, and we gave fans of the BlackRock Tour of Champions and BBC websites the chance to interview him about anything and everything.
In the first part of his exclusive interview, BlackRockTourOfChampions.com readers asked him where he was when Nadal played Federer in that Wimbledon final two weeks ago, whether his serve-and-volley tennis could take him to the top of the game today, and what he would say if he was offered the Australian Davis Cup captaincy.
Click here to read all of his answers.
Part two of his interview will be published on the BBC Sport website later this week.
Tuesday: Rafter Returns In Style
Wednesday: Rafter To Play Muster In Final Eliminator
Thursday: Stich Scrapes Past Goran In Graz
Friday: Rafter Meets Stich in Graz Final
