Haase defends his crown

Robin Haase successfully defended his ATP Tour title in Kitzbuehel by beating top seed Philipp Kohlschreiber in a three-set final.

Dutchman finds Austrian clay again to his liking

Robin Haase successfully defended his ATP Tour title in Kitzbuehel by beating top seed Philipp Kohlschreiber in a three-set final. The Dutchman, whose only other Tour win arrived on Austrian clay 12 months ago, beat the world No 23 from Germany 6-7 (7-2) 6-3 6-2 in two hours and seven minutes. In a match that produced more double faults than aces, Kohlschreiber could only convert one of 14 break point opportunities. He also lost 11 of the final 15 games against the world No 42 who arrived in Austria having won just two of his last nine matches on Tour since early May. Kohlschreiber, who won the opening set via a tie-break, was unable to maintain his early form following an hour-long rain delay at 1-1 in the second set. However, despite the defeat, Kohlschreiber will move into the top 20 of the World Ranking for the first time on Monday with both players now heading for London where they will swap clay for grass at the Olympic Games.