Gulbis Wimbledon Press Conference | Monday 25 June 2012

Gulbis Wimbledon Press Conference | Monday 25 June 2012

E. GULBIS/T. Berdych

7‑6, 7‑6, 7‑6

Q. When we see you playing like that, we don't understand why you didn't win more matches the last 10 or 15 months. But you must know why.

ERNESTS GULBIS: I have been really working hard last month with the new coach, in a new place. I did good preparation here the week before. That's the result, you know. I really enjoy working with my new coach, Gunther Bresnik. He's based in Austria. First time I came to him and his academy I asked him to come to Paris and then Wimbledon as well.

It's really been good. He really helped me a lot.

Q. How do you explain since 2008 when you got to the quarters of Roland Garros your results in the Grand Slams? You just really haven't been there at all.

ERNESTS GULBIS: I took a vacation from Grand Slams. I didn't want to play them. I just played the small tournaments (laughter.)

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Isner and Gulbis into Delray Beach quarters

Isner and Gulbis into Delray Beach quarters

John Isner defeated Ryan Sweeting 6-3, 6-4to reach the quarter-finals at the Delray Beach International Tennis Championships.

Isner will next face Bernard Tomic, who scored a 6-1, 7-5 win over Tim Smyczek.

Ernests Gulbis advanced earlier Wednesday, defeating Steve Darcis 6-7(6), 6-1, 6-3.

Marinko Matosevic rallied for a 4-6, 6-1, 6-3 win over Alex Bogomolov Jr.

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Gulbis gets tired of partying, now into tennis career

Gulbis gets tired of partying, now into tennis career

Ernests Gulbis earned a reputation for enjoying the nightlife, like the one Marat Safin had during his career, but it looks like now he is ready to move on from that life to finally be 100% into his tennis career.

Today it was his 23rd birthday, but his only celebration was his 62 64 64 win over Mikhail Youzhny in the first round of the U.S. Open.

Gulbis said he was going to try to go to bed early.

“Enough with the celebrations,” he said. “I’ve had enough celebrations in my life.”

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Gulbis wins Farmers Classic 2011 title in Los Angeles

Gulbis wins Farmers Classic 2011 title in Los Angeles

Ernests Gulbis upset Mardy Fish 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 to win the 2011 Farmers Classic title in Los Angeles.

Gulbis won $113,000 in prize money, he will move from No. 84 to No. 57 in the ATP rankings.

Fis had more aces than Gulbis (14-10) and fewer unforced errors, but tired in the third set on a fairly hot day, losing pace on his serve and allowing Gulbis to take charge.

Gulbis went ahead 5-1 in the third set, but Fish got one break back and rallied to 5-4.

Gulbis used back-to-back drop shots to erase a break point and to get to match point. After his winner landed, Gulbis pumped his fist and flashed the peace sign to a loud group of his fans in the corner of the stadium.


Source AP

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Gulbis upset del Potro at Farmers' Classic tennis

Gulbis upset del Potro at Farmers' Classic tennis

Ernests Gulbis beat Juan Martin del Potro 62 64 to reach the semi-finals of the Farmers' Classic in Los Angeles.

Gulbis broke del Potro in the first game and again in the fifth as he took the opening set with ease.

Del Potro broke first in the second set to go up 3-1 but was broken back in the next game.

Gulbis broke again in the ninth to lead 5-4. He needed four match points to close it out, finally wrapping it up with a forehand winner

"It was very difficult," said del Potro, who never looked comfortable on court. "I got frustrated in the second set when I broke his serve but he broke me back. He was playing with a lot of confidence and took his chances.

"When you play like I did against a player like him, you lose."

"I just need to keep working on my game, I don't know any other way," del Potro said. "But I'm still happy with my level.

"I'm enjoying playing this season, I did well on clay and the grass."

Gulbis is trying to get his season back on track. The Latvian rose as high as 21 in the world in February, but has fallen to 84th after a string of lackluster results.

"This is probably one of the most important wins of my career," he said.

Gulbis next plays against Alex Bogomolov, who upset Thomaz Bellucci 1-6, 6-4, 6-1.


Source AP

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Los Angeles: Del Potro beats Blake to reach quarters

Los Angeles: Del Potro beats Blake to reach quarters

Juan Martin del Potro beat James Blake 6-4, 7-6 to reach the quarterfinals of the Farmers Classic.

Delpotro and Blake traded the final eight games of the set, leading to the decisive tiebreak. The Argentine took control from there and won when Blake was unable to return his serve.

“I think I’m still a little far from the top-10 players,” Del Potro said. “It’s a long road to get there. I was playing really well before I got here.”

In the next round Del Potro will face Ernests Gulbis, who defeated Daniel Kosakowski 6-2, 6-4.

This is Gulbis’ third tournament under the tutelage of coach Guillermo Canas. The two began working together at Wimbledon and the relationship appears to be paying dividends.

“On the court I didn’t really have someone to push me,” Gulbis said. “We were working hard, spending a lot of hours on court. And then everything just starts to come back. It’s all basically about practice and confidence. That’s all there really is to it.”

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Blake beatGulbis in Atlanta first round

Blake beatGulbis in Atlanta first round

James Blake scored a 5-7, 7-6, 6-2 victory over Ernests Gulbis to advance to the second round of the Atlanta Tennis Championships.

The American knew what to expect coming back from a a 1-hour, 18-minute rain delay.

“I think generally it favors the person who’s down because they’ve got a chance to stop the momentum and get back out there with a new attitude where they feel like they’re the underdog,” he said. “You’ve got a little bit of a nothing-to-lose attitude and you can play your best tennis.”

“I wanted to really focus on getting that hold and once I did, I definitely let loose in that 4-2 game where he was serving,” Blake said. “I felt like if I could get a break there, it would make life a little easier for me.”

Blake will next play John Isner.

Somdev Devvarman defeated Ryan Sweeting 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 to earn a second-round match against Tatsuma Ito, a 7-6, 6-4 winner over Michael Berrer.

Gilles Muller beat Alex Bogomolov Jr., 6-3, 7-6 (6).

Michael Russell beat Donald Young and set up a second round clash with Kevin Anderson.

Isner isn’t exactly looking forward to facing Blake.

“He is always going to be a tough out,” Isner said. “To be honest if he wins tonight I would rather not play him only because he is a good friend of mine. It’s a tough dynamic when you play a good friend but it is what it is so we will see.”

Isner is looking forward to playing the crowd favorite for the second straight year even though the event has moved seven miles south from the swank Atlanta Athletic Club.

“This is definitely a kind of a hometown feel for me given all the Georgia fans in this area and in this state,” Isner said. “I remember all the support I had last year. It was phenomenal, so I hope to get that same support this year. That’s one of the main reasons I played well and made it all the way to the finals last year.”

For Blake, the key to beating Gulbis timing his opponent’s serve.

“It was tough,” Blake said. “He can be very sneaky. He can play great, especially with the way he served at the end of the first set and at the beginning of the second set. There wasn’t really much I could do. There wasn’t really much anybody could do with the way he was serving there.”

Blake had to manage an emotional letdown even though the stadium court of the Racquet Club of the South had nearly cleared out after the rain delay.

“Just kind of staying the course, I played a couple of loose points there at 4-all in the second but I didn’t want to hang my head and get down and say that it was impossible to break him,” he said. “Anyone, no matter how good they are, they feel that pressure when they’re serving out the match. I almost gave it back at the end, too. Got down 30-love on a couple of big serves by him and then got some looks at a couple of second serves and took advantage.”


Source AP

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Indian Wells: Djokovic Destroyed Gulbis to Reach 4th Round

Indian Wells: Djokovic Destroyed Gulbis to Reach 4th Round

Novak Djokovic defeated Ernests Gulbis 6-0 6-1 in the third round of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells.

Next for the Serb is compatriot Viktor Troicki, who beat Michael Llodra 6-3 6-3.

Djokvic broke Gulbis three times to win the opening set in 26 minutes. Then he broke twice in the second to advanced in just under an hour.

“I am just trying to play as best as I can,” Djokovic said. “I couldn’t have asked for a better start to this year. The last three months have been unbelievable. I’m just trying to keep this going.”

Nole was in imperious form against Gulbis. He hit his groundstrokes crisply from behind the baseline and never gave his opponent any chance to get into the match.

Gulbis was able to get on the board in the second set but he was already down 3-0. Djokovic broke Gulbis in the seventh game before serving out to seal the win.

“He’s unpredictable; he has a very strong serve and he has a powerful groundstroke, but if he's not patient and not hitting the right balls like today, he can he can miss a lot,” said Djokovic. “That’s what happened. I was just trying to keep the ball in the court, not doing too much, just returning a lot and making him play an extra shot and changing the pace. He was not feeling comfortable, obviously.”



Source AP/Yahoo
Photo Getty Images

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Videos: Dubai Monday Interviews - Gulbis, Berdych and Gasquet

Videos: Dubai Monday Interviews - Gulbis, Berdych and Gasquet

Ernest Gulbis, Tomas Berdych and Richard Gasquet talk about their opening tennis match at the ATP Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships....

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Nadal Joins Federer in Qatar Semis

Nadal Joins Federer in Qatar Semis

Rafael Nadal defeated Ernests Gulbis 7-6 6-3 to reach the Qatar ExxonMobil Open semi-finals.

Nadal saved five of six break point, hit four aces, won 74% of service points and committed 11 unforced errors to Gulbis’ 31 errors.

The world number 1 broke serve for 3-1 in the opening set but then Gulbiswas able to level at 4-4. Serving at 0/40, Nadal fought back to deuce to lead 5-4 lead. In the tie-break, Nadal opened up a 4-1 lead and took the set with a forehand winner.

The Spaniard broke serve in the fifth game of the second set when Gulbis hit a forehand long. The top seed maintained the advantage to win in one hour and 52 minutes.

“It is always a difficult match against him,” Nadal said. “You have to play special against him. I did my best today and I am happy about it.

“I pushed him hard and broke him many times. I am playing well. My target here is to win (the title).”

Nadal plays defending champion Nikolay Davydenko of Russia or Ivo Karlovic of Croatia on Friday.



Source Yahoo
AFP PHOTO / MARWAN NAAMANI

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Roddick reaches Paris Quarterfinals after beating Gulbis

Roddick reaches Paris Quarterfinals after beating Gulbis

Andy Roddick defeated Ernests Gulbis 6-3 7-6 to reach the Paris Masters quarter-finals where he will face the winner of the match between Robin Soderling and Stanislas Wawrinka..

The American is one step closer to make into the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals while this result leaves Juergen Melzer out of the race.

Roddick started the match in great form. He broke his opponent for a 2-0 lead and held serve all the way through to win the first set.

In the second set, Gulbis found his game and gave Roddick some trouble. The reached the tie breaker where the former world number 1 sealed the victory at 10-8 after having three match points.

"I think it's a goal at the beginning of every year," said Roddick on the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals. "It's certainly an accomplishment every year. I think it's an honour to qualify once, and then each time I think kind of you realise how tough it actually is. You can't just play well for one week. It's the culmination of doing a week after week on tour."


Source Reuters/AP
Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images

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Djokovic beats Gulbis at Swiss Indoors Basel

Djokovic beats Gulbis at Swiss Indoors Basel

Novak Djokovic defeated Ernests Gulbis 6-4, 6-2 to reach the second round of the Swiss Indoors Basel, a ATP World Tour 500 indoor hard court tennis tournament, where he is the defending champion.

Djokovic will look to maintain his strong form in the next two weeks as he prepares to compete among the world’s best eight-ranked players at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, to be held at The O2 in London 21-28 November.

The serb will also lead Serbia in its first Davis Cup final against France in December.

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Nadal and Murray need 3 sets to reach Cincinnati Quarterfinals

Nadal and Murray need 3 sets to reach Cincinnati Quarterfinals

Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray had a tough time today in Cincinnati as both players needed three sets before moving on to the quarterfinals of the Cincinnati Masters.

Nadal defeated Julien Benneteau 5-7 7-6 6-2, while Murray beat Ernests Gulbis 6-4, 3-6, 7-6.

“The heat here is important,” Nadal said. “It’s not easy to play here.”

Nadal was one point from being upset when Benneteau went up 6-5 in the second-set tiebreaker, but he changed turned things aroun to win it.

“He had two aces and after that, I played very good,” Nadal said. “My game was on and off. My forehand worked very well—for moments.”

Nadal called the trainer and got a blister pad applied to the bottom of his right foot.
Benneteau also needed the trainer, he got his legs rubbed for cramping and was never the same player.
In the decider, the world number 1 broke Benneteau twice for a 3-0 lead and never looked back.

Murray looked tired against Gulbis. He repeatedly bent over and tried to catch his breath after long rallies in the 85-degree heat.

“The conditions are tough here,” Murray said. “I’ve played seven matches in nine days, and every one was between noon and 3 o’clock, when it’s warmest. I think anybody would be feeling (tired) in my position.”

Gulbis broke Murray in the first game of the match and that brake was enoguth for him to win the set.
Murray leveled the match by taking advantage of his opponent’s mistakes.

Gulbis’ worst moments came in the third-set tiebreaker. He hit a backhand into the net, sailed a forehand, then plopped a forehand into the net, giving Murray a 3-0 lead. When Gulbis sailed another forehand, Murray was up 6-1 and in position to close out the win.


Source AP

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Murray wins, Gulbis Loses in Los Angeles

Murray wins, Gulbis Loses in Los Angeles

Andy Murray scored a 6-1, 4-6, 6-2 win over Tim Smyczek to advance to the quarterfinals of the Farmers Classic in Los Angeles.

During the opening set, Murray dropped just two points on serve and stormed past his opponent.
The Scott crushing game was gone in the second set and was broken three times. Murray was broken also once in the third set but was able to break Smyczek three times to take the win.

"The first set was good and I started the second set with chances," said Murray. "I was struggling a little bit with my movement, when I got stiff and sore. But I managed to find a way to win."

“Tonight was a very good match with a lot of long rallies, especially in the first two sets,” the Scot said. “It was a good standard and hopefully it will stand me in good stead.”

"The top of my right hip and lower back was stiff. It isn't an injury, just on one of the changeovers my muscles started hurting. The last few changeovers I was standing up – something I have never done on tour before. I was stiff, maybe because it was cool this evening. It’s the first time I have played since Wimbledon. Hopefully I will be okay tomorrow"

Murray will next play against Alejandro Falla, who beat Ernests Gulbis 3-6, 6-4, 7-6.

Gulbis appeared to have the match in control went he went 3-0 up in the third set but he then lost three successive games for Falla to level. The Colombian needed five match points before clinching the tiebreak 10-8.

“I played really well in the last set,” Falla said. “We were both tired … and I am really happy to get through.”

Gulbis looked very upset with himself and showed his hot temper, something that helped Falla.

“It helped me a lot. He gave me a few chances and I got them. He was playing great and serving unbelievable. I was just trying to be aggressive from the baseline because he was always dominating the point.” the Colombian said.

Gulbis felt he had paid the price for his recent inactivity due to injury.

“If you don’t fish for two months, maybe you don’t fish too well,” he commented. “I was so tired. It was really tough for me to go for long rallies. I was trying to make the points shorter and couldn’t make any winners. I was running like a Spanish claycourt player. This was a joke.”


Source Ap/ATP/Reuters
Photo Credit should Read /AFP/Getty Images

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Ernests Gulbis pulls out of Wimbledon

Ernests Gulbis pulls out of Wimbledon

Ernests Gulbis has withdrawn from Wimbledon because of a hamstring injury, tournament organisers said on Sunday.

Gulbis was seeded 27th at Wimbledon.

His absence means Philipp Petzschner takes over Gulbis’s spot in the draw as the 33rd seed. Petzschner’s place in the draw is taken by a lucky loser Santiago Ventura.

Gulbis joins Radek Stepanek, Ivo Karlovic, Richard Gasquet, Mario Ancic and David Nalbandian as high-profile casualties before the tournament has even started.

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Ernests Gulbis French Open 2010 Interview May 23rd

Ernests Gulbis French Open 2010 Interview May 23rd

Q. What happened physically?
ERNESTS GULBIS: When I returned a serve, 2 1, second set, I stretched my leg, my hamstrings, and I heard two cracks. I don't know what is it, so I'm going to go to MRI to hospital in 20 minutes and check it. I hope it's nothing serious, because it can be anything, but it's for sure like a little bit stretch of the muscle, but I hope it's not here. So we'll see.

Q. You are in great form since two months. I guess a great deception for you you are in great form since disappointed?
ERNESTS GULBIS: Disappointed? Yeah, of course I'm disappointed. I prepared really good for this tournament, but it's okay. Whatever. I mean, it's okay. It's a Grand Slam, it's a big tournament. But I have maybe nine more, eight more years of my career, I will have 20 Grand Slams in front of me, and if I if I concentrate on one, which wasn't that good, I will get nothing, but it's okay.
It's also an experience I never went for a match before. I always finish the match until then, but this time it was I think a little bit worse than I ever had from injuries, so I hope I'll get ready for Queen's and Wimbledon. Disappointment, of course. Yeah, it's sport. It's great.

Q. You seemed to get a little bit frustrated in the first set. Were you a little bit more frustrated than you would have liked to have been?
ERNESTS GULBIS: I wasn't really frustrated. I was trying to push myself up because I was a bit too slow, not sleepy, but emotionally, too sleepy in the beginning of the first set or beginning of the match. I got broken immediately. Of course if I would get a break, on 3 2, the match would be different. I would serve on 4 2, 5 2, it would be same my way, a set and then maybe none of it would happen.
What happened, happened. It's okay. I'll learn from it. I think it can just make me stronger, but no, I was not really frustrated. I was just trying to push myself to fight. Okay, I broke a racquet, but for me, that's not a big deal. It's okay.

Q. What would you have to do to prove there was a really big deal if you just smashed a racquet and that's not a big deal, what would be a really big deal?
ERNESTS GULBIS: What would be a really big deal? Hmm. I don't know. I have to think. That's a good question, actually. Thank you. (laughter.)
I don't know what would be a big deal. Minimum three racquets smashed, throw them to the stands, hit somebody with a ball. I don't know. I have to think about it. I'll get back on you, yeah. I'll think about it.

Q. I don't know if you read Roger Federer words about it's more easy to play in clay courts than in hardcourts because in clay courts you don't have to volley, you don't almost to serve. More easy to play because you win so many points keeping the ball in play, and so first question: If you read and if you read it, what...
ERNESTS GULBIS: About me?

Q. No, in general.
ERNESTS GULBIS: In general that it's easier to play on clay?

Q. Yes.
ERNESTS GULBIS: I'm happy that it's easier for him. For me it's not easier. For me it's tougher. You have to run two hours more than you would run on the hardcourt, okay?
You don't volley, but, I mean, you have to be I think much more fitter you have to be fit anywhere, but on clay especially because the rallies get longer, so it's a lot of high balls, heavy spin. It's tougher physically. Game wise maybe it's you use a little bit less weapons, you know. Your serve is not that big like on faster surfaces. Shots are I mean, I don't know why you're asking me this. It's if it's easier for him, that's good. For me, it's harder and need to practice more.

Q. Every player that loses here, usually it's the British press, I will ask you about grass and Wimbledon. How keen are you and how optimistic are you that you can play well on grass?
ERNESTS GULBIS: I was really optimistic here, but look what I did. I will try not to be pessimistic for the grass court season. Obviously I love grass. I love the tournaments there. Not many tournaments, which I really like. Queen's, Wimbledon, I really enjoy, I enjoy playing on grass, and I think I can play really good on it. Okay if I don't play good this year I will play good next year. Some years I will play because I really like the surface.


Interview from Tournament Website

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Roland Garros: Gulbis retires in 1st round at French Open

Roland Garros: Gulbis retires in 1st round at French Open

Ernests Gulbis was forced to retire with a leg injury while trailing 6-4, 6-2, 1-0 to Julien Benneteau in the first round at the French Open 2010 tennis tournament.

“When I returned a serve at 2-1 in the second set, I stretched my leg, my hamstrings, and I heard two cracks,” Gulbis said. “I don’t know what is it, so I’m going to have an MRI in hospital in 20 minutes and check it. I hope it’s nothing serious.

“Of course I’m disappointed. I prepared really good for this tournament but it’s okay. It’s a Grand Slam, it’s a big tournament. But I have maybe nine more, eight more years of my career. I have 20 Grand Slams ahead of me.” he added.

Gulbis said he hoped to be fit for the grasscourt season.

“I will try not to be pessimistic for the grass court season,” he said. “Obviously I love grass. I love the tournaments there. There are not many tournaments. Queen’s, Wimbledon, I really enjoy, I enjoy playing on grass.”

Source Reuters

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Roger Federer beats Gulbis to reach Madrid Open semis

Roger Federer beats Gulbis to reach Madrid Open semis

Roger Federer beat Ernests Gulbis 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 to advance to the Madrid Masters semifinals.

“I think it’s one of the toughest things in tennis if you lose against a player and you have to play against him in the next couple of weeks,” Federer said. “I was very happy with the way I was able to return and mix up the game a bit, and at the end I thought it was a really great performance.”

Gulbis took a 3-0 lead in the first set. Federer then saved three set points before the Latvian converted his fourth with an ace. Gulbis then broke Federer again to start the second set.

The world number 1, broke back immediately and then dominated the rest of the set.

In the third set, Federer used a perfectly judged backhand lob to break for a 2-1 lead and was never threatened on his serve the rest of the way. He converted his first match point with a forehand winner, shortly after a light rain started falling.

Source AP

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Video: Federer vs Gulbis Madrid 2010 Friday Preview

Video: Federer vs Gulbis Madrid 2010 Friday Preview

Watch defending champion Roger Federer face Ernests Gulbis in a clay-court rematch Friday in Madrid. Also watch Nadal vs Monfils, Murray vs Ferrer and more.

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Video: Madrid 2010 Ernests Gulbis Tuesday Interview

Video: Madrid 2010 Ernests Gulbis Tuesday Interview

Ernests Gulbis reflects about his win over Albert Montanes, who last week won the Estoril Open title and beat Roger Federer in the semis there, at the Madrid Open...

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