Kitzbuhel, Austria (Sports Network) - Robin Haase of the Netherlands
successfully retained his title at the Kitzbuhel Cup on Saturday by rallying
for a three-set win over Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber.
The third-seeded Haase pulled off a 6-7 (2-7), 6-3, 6-2 victory in the final
for his second career ATP crown. He beat Spain's Albert Montanes at this event
last year for his first title.
Kohlschreiber, this week's top seed, fell to 4-3 lifetime in ATP finals. He
was bidding for his second win of 2012, having captured the Munich title back
in May.
Despite the loss, the 28-year-old veteran will crack the top 20 for the first
time when the new rankings are released next week.
After Kohlschreiber won the first set in the tiebreaker, rain halted play for
more than an hour with the second set even at 1-1. Haase then dominated from
there. He dropped just eight points on his serve in the second set and took an
early break in the third that proved to be decisive.
Kohlschreiber had six break-point chances in the third, but failed to convert
any. In all, Kohlschreiber was just 1-of-14 on break-point opportunities,
while Haase converted 5-of-11.
Haase had suffered through a rough 2012 season. He had 11 first-round exits
and hadn't been past the quarterfinals in any of his 18 events heading into
this week.
Both players will head to London for the Olympics. Haase will face France's
Richard Gasquet, while Kohlschreiber will take on Slovenia's Blaz Kavcic.
The Sports Network