Post by Greg on Nov 25, 2007 3:23:44 GMT
I thought I would open up a thread so anyone who saw Mariano play live or on TV could recap his great season...I will start first.
HIGHLIGHTS 2007
Singles
ATP & Grand Slam Finalist: Houston
Challenger Won: Bermuda, La Serena Finalist: Florianopolis
Houston 2007
Qualifying Draw
Mariano had a great tournament on the Houston clay courts. He was the number 5 seed in qualifying and was able to get a bye in the first round. In the second round he beat a young gun player at Baylor Lars Poerschke 7-5, 6-3. Then in the third round he beat Bruno Rosa who is only 21 and is very in-shape. But Mariano pulled through with a 6-0, 6-4 victory.
AND NOW THE 5 SEED IS QUALIFIED!!!
Main Draw.
Mariano did not get it off easy in the first round with a bye. He had to play a young Ryan Sweeting. Mariano cruised in the first set 6-0 and in the second Sweeting turned it up a notch but M prevailed 7-6 (10-8.) In second round action Mariano played the 2006 champion and 4 seed Mardy Fish. But as usual Mariano would not let the seeding get into his mind and Mariano won 7-5, 6-4. In quarterfinal action Mariano would play Jurgen Melzer the number 5 seed out of Austria. I vividly remember this match because we were having a family reunion at my house and I would come up to my computer to watch the live scores. Mariano swept Melzer off of the court with a 6-1, 6-2 victory well played Mariano. In the semi-final Mariano was up against James Blake formally the number 2 seed, but because Rodthingy pulled out he was the number 1 seed. My best friend William had tickets and invited me to the day and night sessions in which Mariano would play. Mariano won the first set 7-5. At the end of the second set Mariano was in a breaker. My friend has passes to the players lounge and we were standing in the tunnel, waiting for Mariano to win the ending point so we could then sprint to the lounge and congratulate Mariano. I remember when James lost the last point for Mariano to win the match 7-5, 7-6 (9-7.) But Mariano has lots of class and did not fall to his knees but was a gentlemen and shook hands with Blake. In the final Mariano was up against the best server in the game Ivo Karlovic. Despite losing 6-4, 6-1, Mariano has a great run in Houston when just a year ago he was out of surgery.
HIGHLIGHTS 2007
Singles
ATP & Grand Slam Finalist: Houston
Challenger Won: Bermuda, La Serena Finalist: Florianopolis
Houston 2007
Qualifying Draw
Mariano had a great tournament on the Houston clay courts. He was the number 5 seed in qualifying and was able to get a bye in the first round. In the second round he beat a young gun player at Baylor Lars Poerschke 7-5, 6-3. Then in the third round he beat Bruno Rosa who is only 21 and is very in-shape. But Mariano pulled through with a 6-0, 6-4 victory.
AND NOW THE 5 SEED IS QUALIFIED!!!
Main Draw.
Mariano did not get it off easy in the first round with a bye. He had to play a young Ryan Sweeting. Mariano cruised in the first set 6-0 and in the second Sweeting turned it up a notch but M prevailed 7-6 (10-8.) In second round action Mariano played the 2006 champion and 4 seed Mardy Fish. But as usual Mariano would not let the seeding get into his mind and Mariano won 7-5, 6-4. In quarterfinal action Mariano would play Jurgen Melzer the number 5 seed out of Austria. I vividly remember this match because we were having a family reunion at my house and I would come up to my computer to watch the live scores. Mariano swept Melzer off of the court with a 6-1, 6-2 victory well played Mariano. In the semi-final Mariano was up against James Blake formally the number 2 seed, but because Rodthingy pulled out he was the number 1 seed. My best friend William had tickets and invited me to the day and night sessions in which Mariano would play. Mariano won the first set 7-5. At the end of the second set Mariano was in a breaker. My friend has passes to the players lounge and we were standing in the tunnel, waiting for Mariano to win the ending point so we could then sprint to the lounge and congratulate Mariano. I remember when James lost the last point for Mariano to win the match 7-5, 7-6 (9-7.) But Mariano has lots of class and did not fall to his knees but was a gentlemen and shook hands with Blake. In the final Mariano was up against the best server in the game Ivo Karlovic. Despite losing 6-4, 6-1, Mariano has a great run in Houston when just a year ago he was out of surgery.
- oh and if you are the photographer - you can add your bit here too 
(Copyright Clarin Photographer)
