Qualifier Philipp Petzschner clinches maiden ATP crown; Max Mirnyi & Andy Ram deny Petzschner his double titles

Philipp Petzschner upset Gael Monfils 6-4, 6-4 on Sunday in the Bank Austria Tennis Trophy final for his first ATP Tour title.

The 125th-ranked German, who had never been beyond the quarterfinals of an ATP event before, had to play two qualifying rounds to reach the main draw and became only the third qualifier this season to win an ATP tournament.

“This is unbelievable, I can’t describe my feelings now,” Petzschner said. “I will enter the top 100, which makes a dream come true.”

The 24-year-old Petzschner played his opening qualifying match less than three hours after arriving on a flight from Tokyo.

He went on to beat top-seeded Stanislas Wawrinka, former No. 1 Carlos Moya and 2004 champion Feliciano Lopez on his way to the title.

“This has been an incredible week for me, everything went perfect,” Petzschner said.

The 8th-seeded Monfils has lost five of his six career finals.

“I am disappointed but I had a good week anyway,” said the 28th-ranked Frenchman, who had beaten Petzschner in straight sets in their only previous match last month.

“Philipp was the better player today. He just was more aggressive so well done to him.”

Monfils will enter the ATP top 20 for his highest ranking ever.

“This win gives me a lot of confidence, I now see what I have been working for all year,” Petzschner said.

“My goal next season will be to get into the top 50.”

However Petzschner and Alexander Peya of Austria lost 6-1, 7-5 to Max Mirnyi of Belarus and Andy Ram of Israel in the doubles final. Mirnyi secured his 35th career trophy, while Ram won his 14th title.

The pair was competing together for the first time this week.

“It’s easy to play with Max. He told me he has won a number of tournaments multiple times with different partners. It’s easy when you pick up one of the best doubles players," said Ram.

"It’s one of my best experiences I have ever had and I certainly learned a lot from one of the best doubles players ever this week. Perhaps we’ll play together again when Jonathan [Erlich] stops playing!”

(Images via Bank Austria Tennis Throphy official website)

Fernando Gonzalez Visits Vienna's Spanish Riding School

While Gael Monfils took a trip to the zoo, Fernando Gonzalez took time out from the Bank Austria-Tennis Trophy in Vienna yesterday to visit the Spanish Riding School, which is home to 73 Lipizzan stallions.

The 28-year-old visited the stables to meet a 15-year-old Lipizzan stallion called Conversano Tiberia. Afterwards he watched the morning practice show at Vienna's Imperial Hofburg Palace.

Gonzalez said: “It was very nice. The horses are really taken care of perfectly. I’ve never seen this many white horses at once!”

“My sister loves horses and has taught me a lot about them. I’ve been riding a few times and it’s really fun. I have to be careful though because it can be dangerous for my career but in the future I’m going to ride more for sure.”

“The buildings here are unbelievable. There is a lot of tradition here dating back to the 16th century.”

The Spanish Riding School is the only institution in the world that continues to cultivate classical equitation in the Renaissance tradition of the haute école.

The Lipizzans are Europe's oldest breed of horses, with their origins dating back to the 16th century.

Gonzalez is scheduled to meet Gael Monfils in the quarterfinals today.

Updates:
While Monfils and Gonzalez were doing something educational, Feliciano Lopez (look at those electrifying eyes!) and Juan Martin del Potro were partying at the players party at Passage that features DJ Manfredo & DJ Mosaken.


(Images via Bank Austria-Tennis Trophy official website)

Max Mirnyi receives an International Law degree

Congratulation! Max Mirnyi has completed his degree at Belarus State University, majoring in International Law with his diploma work on the international protection of children's rights.

The former No. 1 doubles player sacrificed some weeks on the ATP circuit over the summer to complete the degree, which he has been working towards for the past five years.

The 31-year-old Minsk native said, “By being a UNICEF Goodwill ambassador to Belarus and taking part in the various national and international children's programs over the years in the framework of the ATP, I witnessed the necessity to continue to act to provide children around the world with extra care and attention to ensure a better and safer future for humanity."

“I want to thank my family for supporting me during the long five years of my study and also a wonderful crew of BSU professors from whom I had pleasure gathering required knowledge.”

Mirnyi is back on court playing with Andy Ram at the Bank Austria-Tennis Trophy in Vienna. Last month, Mirnyi splitted with doubles partner Jamie Murray, who is now paired up with Ross Hutchins.

(Via ATP website, Images via maxmirnyi.com)

Gael Monfils visits the Schönbrunn Zoo

While in Vienna for the Bank Austria-Tennis Trophy, Gael Monfils visited the Schönbrunn Zoo which is the world’s oldest zoo, founded in 1752.

“The animals were amazing here at the Vienna Zoo, it was fun visiting them," said the Frenchman.

Here are some pictures for your viewing pleasure.

Gael Monfils admiring the view at the zoo.

Monfils, who bravely petted a ring-tailed lemur, said "I like animals but I'm a little scared of touching them."

Gael Monfils gets up close and personal with a baby donkey.

(Via Austrian Open official website)