APTOS — Given that Chris Guccione stands 6-foot-7 and tilts the scale at more than 200 pounds, it’s easy to understand why opponents might fear his big serve. But the left-handed Aussie proved that he’s more than just a one-shot wonder at the $75,0
00 Comerica Bank Challenger, held July 13-19 at the Seascape Sports Club.
Displaying a solid return game and good touch around the net, the business-like Guccione needed just 56 minutes to defeat qualifier Nick Lindahl 6-3, 6-4 for the singles title. It was the first meeting between the two foes, as well as the first all-Australian final in the history of the tournament, which is in its 23rd year.
“To hold serve, you’ll always be close in a match,” said the seventh-seeded Guccione, who turned 24 on July 30 and calls Melbourne home. “Nick played really well the majority of the points. I needed to get a couple of breaks of serve and I closed it out pretty well.”
The final was the first at the Challenger level for Lindahl, who turned 21 on July 31. The Newcastle resident logged 10 matches in his eight days at Seascape, including the qualifying rounds.
“I don’t think I’ve played this many matches in a week in a long time,” Lindahl said.
“I think Chris gets sold a little short,” Lindahl continued. “Yes, I had to try and return one of the best serves in the world, but he’s also got a baseline game and a good drop shot.”
The No. 2-ranked Australian behind Lleyton Hewitt, Guccione climbed 25 spots to No. 112 with the win. Guccione dropped only one set and had his serve broken just twice during the tournament — against third-seeded Wayne Odesnik of the U.S. in the quarters, 7-6(5), 2-6, 7-6(2). In the semis, he dispatched two-time NCAA titlist Somdev Devvarman 6-2, 6-1.
A No. 1 seed has never won the Comerica Challenger and many have exited in the first round. This year, defending champ Kevin Kim garnered the top seeding with his ranking of No. 81, but lost in the first round to qualifier and former finalist Takao Suzuki of Japan 7-5, 6-3.
The tournament was equally unkind to players with notable backgrounds in the sport. France’s Arnaud Clement, once ranked No. 10 in the world, was seeded fifth, but lost in the first round to Alex Bogomolov Jr. of the U.S., 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(10).
Belgium’s Xavier Malisse, once a top-20 presence, fell to Odesnik in the second round 6-4, 3-6, 7-5, while the ‘07 Comerica champ Donald Young of the U.S. lost in the first round to the ‘08 finalist Andrea Stoppini of Italy 6-4, 6-4.
An aggressive baseliner who calls his forehand his best stroke, Lindahl never faced a seed until the final. He dropped just one set on the way, scraping out a first-round win over Ryan Sweeting of the U.S. 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-6(7). Against Guccione, Lindahl struggled with his return game, reaching break point just once- at 1-all in the first set. Guccione’s well-stocked arsenal of serves bailed him out for the hold. He would then finish the match having won 27 of 29 points off his first serve and 82 percent of all his service points.
After capturing the singles title, Guccione teamed up with his recent Australian Davis Cup partner Carsten Ball to beat Thailand’s Davis Cup doubles team, twin brothers Sanchai and Sonchat Ratiwatana 6-3, 6-2.
At 6-foot-5, Ball, also left-handed, has a big serve of his own. However, it’s Guccione who handles the early service duties when the two pair up.
“Chris has got one of the best serves in the world,” Ball said. “Any one of his serves is a tough serve. It isn’t just about the speed — it’s about the spin,” Ball continued. “His kick, his slices — it’s a tough wall to face.”
