Portugal & Munich 250 updates

Portugal: Wawrinka into the final, likely to play Ferrer (currently well up vs Seppi)

Munich: Haas into final (bt Dodig), to play Kohlschreiber.

Haas now goes up to #13 ranking.

Rock on Tommy! (and Stan)

I had not realized Brands was also playing with SHBH, so Munich (on clay!) had three SHBHs in the SF and will have an all-SHBH final.

Good spot SB, who said the stroke was dead...and on a surface that demands the most from rallying. Ultimately its a more powerful stroke than DHBH, if more guys can do well with it, Dimitrov particularly, then the younger generation may take note so we dont end up like the WTA.

Brands has been playing really well of late although a relative ATP level novice...he moves up 14 places to #55 now.

I like Stan, but a disappointed that he beat my man Pablo Carreno-Busta in the semis. PCB started the year in the 700's or so, had a 39-match winning streak in the Futures and has had several good wins in 250's and 500's so far. Certainly looks like one to keep an eye on.

Yep, he came back from losing 1st set to Goffin 6-1 really well.

39 match streak! wowww impressive.
Please tell me more ryan

He had previously reached about 150, but last year he required back surgery and tumbled right down the rankings. Starting this year with next to nothing, he then set about the Turkish (I believe there is one tennis resort in Antalya that holds an event every week) and Spanish futures circuit. After losing in the final of his first tournament, he then preceded to win each event after that for the next 3 months or so. I think I caught on after 15 or so wins and so for each match after that would put £5-10 on.

This put his ranking up to about 300-400. On the back of this run, he's been getting positions in qualifiers for ATP events. He finally lost to Kevin Anderson in the QF in Casablanca. He beat Robin Haase in Barcelona and has added Julien Benneteau, David Goffin and Fabio Fognini here.

Good info ryan, we'll have to keep an eye on PCB. Unofficial 606 consensus favourite?

Cheers for the updates lydian.

Haas won in Munich in SS (straight sets!!). Ferrer v Wawrinka would be a good match to watch; I hope Stan can win it.

Wahooo yes haas you oap you!

Now come on stan beat the snorefest that is ferrer!!!

Good to see Haas win.

Great to see Haas win; fully deserved victory. It is a long shot still, but he has a bit of a chance to sneak into top 10 sometime this spring.

Fantastic start from Stan.

Well played Stan; that was pretty straightforward.

Great news. Delighted for Tommy. Delighted for Stan.
2 singlehanders win 2 ATP titles.
Who said SHBHs were dead?