Cayman Islands got tennis overdose last week what with all the great players around.
Their visit was a stupendous success and if this, the first of three years, is anything to go by, the next one will be at least as good.
Jim Courier defeated Wayne Ferreira 7-6, (3), 7-6 (1) to win the singles title at the $150,000 The Residences at The Ritz Carlton, Grand Cayman Legends Championships, the second event on the 2008 Outback Champions Series tennis circuit.
Courier’s victory on Sunday, his first on the Outback Champions Series since 2006, earned him $54,000 and 800 Stanford Champions Rankings points that vaulted him to the No. 1 ranking on the global circuit for champion tennis player over the age of 30. Ferreira earned $32,000 for his runner-up showing and 600 Stanford Champions Rankings points.
In the third-place match Sunday, Jimmy Arias defeated Paul Haarhuis 7-6 (3), 2-6, 10-8 (Champions Tie Break). Arias entered the tournament having won only one career match on the Outback Champions Series, but won three matches for the week, including a round-robin win Thursday against John McEnroe, his first career victory over the three-time Wimbledon champion.
The title was Courier’s fourth Outback Champions Series tournament victory – to go with titles in Houston in 2005 and in Naples, Florida and Charlotte, North Carolina in 2006. His win over Ferreira avenged his loss to the South African in the final of the Stanford Championships in Dallas last October.
‘It was a very physical match,’ said Courier of the final, played in windy conditions on a clay court. ‘Yesterday (against John McEnroe) was difficult because John is a cutting player, but today against Wayne was more difficult physically and the emotions of the finals also weight on you.’
Both Courier and Ferreira said they relished the competitive nature of the Outback Champions Series, where prize money and ranking points are on the line in every match. Ferreira theorized that he is even more competitive than during his days on the ATP Tour.
‘We are naturally not in the same shape that we once were so we have to try much harder,’ said Ferreira. ‘We have all known each other’s careers and are honoured to be on this tour and the bottom line is that we know we have to work harder for the win and we want the win.’
Said Courier, the French Open champion in 1991 and 1992: ‘It does become more competitive when there is money and a title on the line. We are competitors through and through. To be able to play at this level and in front of these fantastic crowds makes it beyond rewarding.’
The title moved Courier past Todd Martin into the No. 1 position on the Stanford Champions Rankings, that determine the year-end No. 1 player – and the winner of a $100,000 year-end bonus – on the Outback Champions Series. Courier now leads the rankings with 1200 points, followed by Martin, who won the season’s opening event last month in Naples, Florida, with 900 points. John McEnroe dropped from No.2 to No.3 in the rankings with 800 total points, while Ferreira and Arias are tied for fourth place with 600 points.
The Outback Champions Series was founded in 2005 and features eight events where champion tennis players continue to exercise their competitive instincts in tournament formats that feature prize money and Champions Series ranking points that determine a year-end No.1 player on the Stanford Champions Rankings.
To be eligible to compete on the Outback Champions Series, players must have either; reached a Grand Slam singles final, been ranked in the top five in the world or played singles on a championship Davis Cup team. Each event also has the right to choose a ‘wild card’ entrant. More information can be found at www.ChampionsSeriesTennis.com.
ROUND ROBIN GROUP A
Jim Courier 3-0
Jimmy Arias 2-1
John McEnroe 1-2
Mats Wilander 0-3
ROUND ROBIN GROUP B
Wayne Ferreira 3-0
Paul Haarhuis 2-1
Todd Martin 1-2
Mikael Pernfors 0-3
WEDNESDAY RESULTS
Todd Martin, United States, def. Mikael Pernfors, Sweden, 7-6, (5), 6-7 (1), 10-7 (Champions Tie Break)
Wayne Ferreira, South Africa, def. Paul Haarhuis, Netherlands, 6-7 (3), 7-5, 10-3 (Champions Tie Break)
Jim Courier, United States, def. Mats Wilander, Sweden, 6-2, 6-0
THURSDAY RESULTS
Paul Haarhuis, Netherlands, def. Mikael Pernfors, Sweden, 6-3, 6-2
Wayne Ferreira, South Africa, def. Todd Martin, United States, 6-4, 7-6 (2)
Jimmy Arias, United States, def. John McEnroe, United States, 7-5, 6-2
FRIDAY RESULTS
Wayne Ferreira, South Africa, def. Mikael Pernfors, Sweden, 6-4, 6-3
Jim Courier, United States, def. Jimmy Arias, United States, 7-6 (5), 6-4
John McEnroe, United States, def. Mats Wilander, Sweden, 6-4, 6-2
SATURDAY RESULTS
Jimmy Arias, United States, def. Mats Wilander, Sweden, 6-1, ret.
Jim Courier, United States, def. John McEnroe, United States, 6-4, 3-6, 10-4 (Champions Tie-Break)
Paul Haarhuis, Netherlands, def. Todd Martin, United States (walk-over, Martin back injury)
SUNDAY RESULTS
Championship Match
Jim Courier, United States, def. Wayne Ferreira, South Africa, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (1)
Third Place Match
Jimmy Arias, United States, def. Paul Haarhuis, Netherlands, 7-6 (3), 2-6, 10-8 (Champions Tie-Break)
2008 STANFORD CHAMPIONS RANKINGS
(Through Two Events)
1. Jim Courier (USA) 1200 points
2. Todd Martin (USA) 900 points
3. John McEnroe (USA) 800 points
4. Jimmy Arias (USA) 600 points
Wayne Ferreira (RSA)
6. Mikael Pernfors (SWE) 350 points
Paul Haarhuis (NED)
8. Aaron Krickstein (USA) 300 points
9. Magnus Larsson (SWE) 200 points
10. Anders Jarryd (SWE) 100 points
Mats Wilander (SWE)
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