stuttgart02youzhny_canas

By | Published January 3, 2026 | Full size is 533 × 403 pixels

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2 Responses to stuttgart02youzhny_canas

  1. Voo de Mar says:
    January 3, 2026 at 6:45 am
    Points won by each set: | 26-21, 21-29, 21-28, 27-27, 32-29 |
    Points won directly behind the serve:
    16 % Youzhny – 22 of 130
    20 % Canas – 27 of 131

    That final had an untypical pattern for clay-courts, namely a player who broke first, he’d win the set being unbroken. That simple pattern didn’t work in the decider as Canas [19], who led 4:1* (15-all), lost five games in a row. The Argentinian – generally a counter-puncher – was way too passive being close to victory, he had game points at 4:2, and 4-all (40/15), but instead of being pro-active, he was waiting for opponent’s errors. 20-year-old Youzhny [62] showcased brilliant technique in that 3-hour 7-minute final, especially his ability to attack the net with cross-court and down the line shots from both wings was really impressive. “He simply played too well. I also gave my best, but I just didn’t manage it,” said Canas. After the final it was reasonable to expect that Youzhny would turn into one of the best players born in the 80s – it didn’t happen though. His serve was just moderate; usually players develop their optimal serve at the age of 23-24, but it wasn’t Youzhny’s case, his serve actually remained the same for his entire long career, and I assume it’s the main reason he didn’t fulfil expectations. Even though he finished his career with 10 titles, the first one may be treated as the most important one taking into account he opposition and the ‘best of five’ final.

    Youzhny’s route to his maiden title (44th main-level event):
    1 Hicham Arazi 6-2, 5-7, 6-4
    2 Nicolas Lapentti 6-2, 6-4
    Q Younes el Aynaoui 6-3, 6-2
    S Lars Burgsmuller 6-3, 4-6, 7-5 ☆
    W Guillermo Canas 6-3, 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4

    ☆ Youzhny was serving at 5:4 in the 3rd set

    Serve & volley: Youzhny 4/4, Canas 1/1

  2. Voo de Mar says:
    January 3, 2026 at 6:58 am
    ☆☆ Cañas, in the best year of his career, lost three dramatic five-setters within a few months, being close to win those matches in 4, 3 and 5 sets respectively.

    Roland Garros (QF): A.Costa 5-7, 6-3, 7-6, 4-6, 0-6… he led *4:2 (30/15) in 4th set
    Wimbledon (1R): F.López 6-4, 6-2, 6-7, 5-7, 8-10… he had six match points in 3rd set
    Stuttgart (F): Južnyj 3-6, 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 4-6… he led 4:1* in 5th set

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