Brian Baker continues amazing comeback, wins Savannah!

[Gonzalito17]

Brian Baker was a former standout US junior, #2 in world, French Open finalist (l to Wawrinka), but had a barrage of injuries and was out four years. He returned last year, won a Futures, gotr his rank up to around 300 this year. Beat Sweeting in Sarasota last week, a week after Sweeting took Isner to two TBs in Houston. Now Baker qualied for Savannah Challenger and took out Russell, Ginepri and won the final today vs. Gensse of France.

THis is an amazing story, Baker out of tennis for four years, returning and having success. Hard not to root for this guy who has lifetime wins over his age group rivals Djokovic, Murray and Monfils. Go Baker!

 

[GoSurfBoy]

#214 this week, up 79 points. Nice jump, nice comeback.

 

[MLB_MOB]

I still cant believe he retired 5 years ago, after that US open ,where he took daveydenko i believe who was top 5 in the world at the time, to 5 sets.

Glad to see he is mentally matured and more confident. Hopefully the "second coming of Roddick" (his old nickname) has a solid comeback lol.

 

[CCNM]

Congratulations. Hope to see him at the French Open.

 

[Bud]

His previous career high of #172 was achieved on November 15, 2004. As he's about the same age, did he ever play Nadal as a junior?

 

[MLB_MOB]

His previous career high of #172 was achieved on November 15, 2004. As he's about the same age, did he ever play Nadal as a junior?

Can you just leave Nadal out of this thread -.-

 

[Lsmkenpo]

He has clinched the wild card for Roland Garros

Brian Baker Q&A: An American In Paris
http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Te...-Garros-Brian-Baker-Earns-USTA-Wild-Card.aspx

 

[Lsmkenpo]

Another article describing his playing style.

An American that is good on clay.:shock: Compares his game to Djokovic, really good two handed backhand.
http://straightsets.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/29/for-bran-baker-a-career-derailed-by-injuries/

Former French Open junior finalist, good serve, good two handed BH, sounds like trouble for the top player that draws him first round.

 

[Bud]

Can you just leave Nadal out of this thread -.-

As he's in the same generation, it's relevant.

 

[Tcbtennis]

As he's in the same generation, it's relevant.

Rafa barely played any junior ITF events so it is quite unlikely met Baker in competition.

 

[oceansize42]

I saw Baker player at the TVOC (small money tournament in TN) in 2010. I was playing myself in the 35s. I was walking into the main viewing area and saw him playing. I had no idea who he was, but I watched him play for 30 seconds and knew he was the real deal. He can play some serious tennis and at the point he wasn't in serious shape. He won the tournament easily but again, this dude can really play some tennis. Later that day I came off the court after a loss and he was in the locker room as well after winning his second match of the day. He was very nice and polite. We chatted for a moment and he gave me a little back story and that he would eventually return to pro tennis if he held up. I am hoping he continues to "hold up". He really does have skills and I am interested to see how he does against the best of the best after all this time off.