The tenth edition of the Vale Do Lobo Grand Champions CGD kicked off in memorable style on Tuesday, with shock results coming in several of the event’s opening round robin matches.
Most surprising was the manner in which a slimline Thomas Muster dismantled Barcelona Open winner and former Wimbledon Champion Goran Ivanisevic, 6-3, 6-2. Muster, who is looking fitter than he has in years after pounding the practice courts for the past few weeks, had an answer to all the questions posed by an underwhelming Ivanisevic. The Croatian was unable to make his serve penetrate despite the fast conditions, and Muster capitalised with some punishing groundstrokes and strong serving of his own.
“Goran wasn’t at his best today but it was still a good match and I’m happy to have come out on top,” said Muster. “I love being here in Vale Do Lobo with these great crowds so it’s a pleasure to be back playing this event.”
“I’ve lost 12 kilos in 10 weeks,” he continued. “But that’s not the hard part. The hard part is getting match fit. I feel really good and I’m moving and serving so much better so that’s pretty satisfying.”
Another shock on day one was the 4-6, 6-3, 10-5 (Champions’ Tie Break) defeat of former World Number One Yevgeny Kafelnikov at the hands of Briton Jeremy Bates. Despite being 12 years his opponent’s senior, Bates showed impressive skill and endurance to outmanoeuvre Kafelnikov in the searing Mediterranean heat. Ten years since lifting the Vale Do Lobo Grand Champions title in the tournament’s maiden year, Tuesday’s win over Kafelnikov proves that Bates, a former British Number One, still has the game to compete with the ATP Champions Tour’s newcomers.
“It feels like a long time ago that I won here,” said Bates. “That day I beat Borg in the final and that was a special match. This is a fantastic place to play, it’s my favourite ATP Champions Tour event and it seems to grow in stature every year.”
The result was disappointing for his Russian opponent, but Bates sympathised with Kafelnikov, who was unable to play with his own racquet after it was lost in transit.
“I’m delighted to win, but you have to hand it to Yevgeny today,” said Bates. “The guy got all his stuff lost on the plane here and is playing with a borrowed racquet and borrowed clothes and still he’s running around like a rabbit.”
Meanwhile, in Group B, Greg Rusedski began his title defense in superb style with a 6-3, 6-2 demolition of Frenchman Henri Leconte. Rusedski was in intimidating form throughout Tuesday’s evening session match, powering down his trademark aces and volleying solidly at the net.
The Briton now sits atop Group B, just ahead of Swedish Davis Cup Captain Thomas Enqvist, who came through a tight struggle with Nuno Marques in the first match of the day. Enqvist eventually triumphed 4-6, 6-3, 10-3 (Champions’ Tie Break), but not before suffering an onslaught of winners from his Portuguese opponent.
Matches are played over the best of three sets, with a Champions’ Tie-break (first to 10 points with a clear advantage of two) to decide the winner. After all round-robin matches are complete, the top two players in each group will meet in Friday’s final.
After the Algarve, the ATP Champions Tour will move on to Knokke, Belgium for the inaugural Optima Open (August 20-22), and after that will arrive in Paris for the seventh annual Jean-Luc Lagardere Trophy at the Stade Coubertin (October 1-3).
