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Klein out of Brisbane International

Klein out of Brisbane International

AAP Tuesday 6 January 2009 3 Comments »

In the end, Australian teenager Brydan Klein achieved his hastily revised goal in his Brisbane International first round clash with fifth-seeded Czech Tomas Berdych.
Unfortunately for the 2007 Australian Open boys’ champion, his modest target was simply taking a game off the world No.20.
After a whirlwind first set that lasted just 24 minutes, the nervous WA youngster was finally able to soak up just his second ATP appearance before falling 6-0 6-4 in little over an hour.

“I was just kicking myself (after the first set) and telling myself `Just get a game, come on’,” said Klein.

“I definitely wouldn’t have been happy if I got wiped again in the second set.

“It’s not a great start for me (but) I’m not too disappointed.”

Organisers raised eyebrows when they overlooked the likes of Australia’s second highest ranked player Chris Guccione to hand wildcards to rising stars Klein and Bernard Tomic at Brisbane.

On paper there has been little reward for the bold move with Klein joining fellow Australian Open boys’ champion Tomic on Australia’s growing casualty list at the event.

Klein’s departure ensured journeyman Joe Sirianni was the remaining Australian in the men’s draw – he plays France’s Michael Llodra later on Tuesday.

But world No.248 Klein was trying to look on the bright side after his less than ideal start to the year.

“It was a bit of a nightmare start. He played really well and I wasn’t sure what to do by the end of the set,” he said.

“I’m glad I turned it around a little in the second and came back a bit.

“I guess when I look back it was pretty fun.”

When Klein finally broke his duck in the second set, he raised his arms in relief as the home crowd cheered.

Klein said he was finally able to enjoy playing at Pat Rafter Arena “even if you are getting wiped on the court”.

Klein – who hopes to hover around the top 100 by year’s end – will next head to qualifying for next week’s Sydney International before focusing on the Australian Open.

In other news, Spain’s former world No.1 Juan Carlos Ferrero, the 2003 French Open champion, lost his first round clash 6-3 7-6 to France’s world No.60 Florent Serra on Tuesday.





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  • Tristan Brown

    I would just like to commend the wildcards handed to Bernard and Brydan.It was a brave move and let’s face it, Guccione, Sirriani, Luczak are all aging aussie players. Let’s give our up and comers a baptism of fire! THat’s the beauty of having a home tournament- being able to blood some of our young talent on the world stage. It is wonderful foresight and is backed by many of Qld’s coaches. Congratulations- a very refreshing attitude, and one that is sorely needed.

  • Cathy. B.

    I Disagree Tristan Brown, qualifying W/Cs would have been also a fantastic handout at this age. As a parent not a coach, I believe players and people must earn their way and learn to fight for things. It is far too easy to go out and not be expected to win. ATP matches are not a training ground for experience, but a reward for the very best who have proved they are prepared to be there. Why have qualifying matches at all otherwise. ? Qualifying is a logical and important step in development. Russia, Serbia, Italy, Sweden, and many of these countries where todays strength are coming from do not have ” Slam Handouts” , these players do have to earn their way.
    While I think Brydan and Bernard did a great job under the circumstance, if to get our players on board with W/Cs at all then I think guys like Ball , Guccione , Groth , still in their early 20s are not past their prime by any means , they still have plenty of firing power, and also deserve the same valuable experience, leaving them to qualify was not going to help their confidence in all they have worked for, for so much longer. They are hardly going backwards right now, all making improvement that could have been consolidated with belief behind them. Australians are known to mature late because we don’t just slug from baselines,” thank goodness.” Thank goodness Rafter was not considered as aging in his 20′s ,,
    Yes blood the youngest but qualifying would have been a sufficient step up, they would have gained more match play , and may have worked their way into the tournament. At the end of the day we the public would like to have someone left past round one to cheer on at home . If the next generation want to be inspired by tennis we need players getting past first round for them to watch and aspire too. I think Brydan and Bernard have a great future but the steadier the climb the better they will be for it. I feel it is important you print both sides of the coin and what people feel about this. I doubt I am not alone on my view.

  • Helen

    Totally agree Cathy B. It was like throwing lambs to the lions. Whilst both Tomic and Klein are good developing players – it would have been far more rewarding to see them work their way through qualifying and earn the right to their wildcards.

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