For the third time in the history of the PTA Jason Pelligra has won all 4 grand slams in one season. This after defeating Civello at the 2012 US Open. In fact all 4 championships this season came from wins over Civello. For the first time in the history of the sport, 4 straight slams finals featured the same two men in one season. It is quite an amazing achievement for both men. And with 2012 being a season of records, this fits in perfectly.
For Pelligra, this is particularly sweet as he collects his first GRAND SLAM in 5 years. Coming off his worst season where he was the runner up in all four slams, the first season where he didn’t win a slam. “It feels wonderful” Pelligra said. While the final match was no where near the quality of previous matches due to some harsh elements, the drama was still high and in the right moments, Pelligra lifted his game to win his 8th US Open.
After the win Pelligra was asked about the grand slam and how it measures up given that he didn’t have to face neither Ferrara or Titan all season in a slam. “it doesn’t make this any less an achievement in my eyes. I wish that they were involved cause it always makes the PTA better but you can’t worry about anything but whats on your plate. Ferrara and I have had real close slam matches in the past and it’s a shame that he couldn’t defend his French and Wimbledon but if a guy is hurt that can’t be held against anyone. With Titan, I think its sad how he participated this season. The league really benefits from his participation on and off the court. As for him not being here to defend his title, its unfortunate but it doesn’t diminish me accomplishment one bit. Titan hasn’t beaten me all season and every man that took to the court at the US Open has. So I value everyone as an honest threat.”
Pelligra also picked up his 38th
win and is now just 2 shy of hitting the 40 mark and beating his old
record of 39. He will have a minimum of 4 matches to do so. Pelligra
will also attempt to be the first man in the history of the sport to win
all 4 majors and the year end Masters. His record breaking 12th
title in the US Open seems like one that can stand alone especially
with the shorter season that 2013 is set to have.Pelligra played in his
11th straight grands slam final, he is 7-4 in that span.
Pelligra’s 8th US Open came with his 25th US Open match win and his 70th on Hard courts. The most on any surface. Pelligra also broke the record for most PTA ranking points and should he win the Masters he will finish with over 5000 points.
For
Civello he its bitter sweet. He made all four major finals this season
something only Pelligra has done. He lost every one but before this
season, one slam final would have been enough to make the Italian happy.
This season leaves hope. He was 1 point away from winning the French,
he is 1 win away from tying the head to head series with Vurro with a 6
match sweep in the season which included wins over the Hungarian at all 4 grand slams this season. and if history matters, just the year before
Pelligra lost all 4 slam finals and as we all know, it worked out ok for
him.
Garofalo ends the season on a sour note having blown a 5-3 lead over division rival Thompson but there were plenty of positives to be taken from this season. He recorded 4 wins which is the most in his career, he claimed his first ever wins over rare losers Pelligra and Ferrara and notched his 1st hard court win by claiming his last match of the year in the consolation final.
Greg Thompson finished the season 5 points shy of 1000 which is the highest rookie totals ever. He played in half the tourneys and became a formidable opponent. While he ran out of gas against Pelligra in the semis he was part of an epic quarterfinal match in which he was victorious.
The Masters Cup
Well the final four have been decided and as usual it came down to the last tournament of the season. When Greg Thompson was eliminated in the semis of the US, the case was closed and the four were secure.
Jason Pelligra who qualified with his Wimbledon title was a sure thing. After that it was up in the air. Pelligra’s 4 slams and 12 titles make him the clear number one on the year unlike last season when despite winning the Masters he needed Titan to miss the finals. There will be no such drama this season as Pelligra will finish the year number 1 for the 13th time in 14 seasons. Since this format of the Masters started in 2009, Pelligra has qualified every time and won the event once. Making the finals every year. No one in the sport of tennis has ever won all four majors and the year end Masters, Pelligra could be the first.
Civello impressed everyone this season with 4 slam finals he was an easy number two. Civello is making his 2nd appearance in the Masters Cup. In 2010 he lost to Pelligra in the semis despite shocking him in the round robin stage. He may have missed every slam but there is still one more trophy that would validate a stellar season.
Despite a hard season by his own standards, Nic Vurro’s perseverance got him to the dance and that is something to be proud of. Not easy is it to lose and continue to come out. Vurro may have had an off season results wise but his “fight” has never been stronger. Wouldn’t this be a great tournament for redemption. This is Vurro’s 3rd Masters. His best result has been the semis all three times.
Anthony Ferrara joins Pelligra as the only other man to make all 4 Masters Cup finals. With 1 title and 2 semi final losses, The Swede will look to improve his stats on the season that wasn’t. Ferrera finished 4rd in the PTA rankings but that was only due to a back injury that sidelined him for more than half the season. Only 3 losses on the season including a championship in his return still puts him in good standing to be a favorite.
This is the first time Civello and Vurro have qualified in the same season.
Before you pencil in Pelligra as the early winner take this stat, slams are a jinx!!!! Success is not the best tactic heading in to the masters. What am I talking about??
In 2009 Pelligra won 2 Slams and made two other finals yet lost to Toste who struggled all season long without a slam.
2010 Ferrara was hard pressed to win a slam that year losing in 2 finals yet at the Masters he downed Pelligra who won 3 slams.
2011 The first year Pelligra failed to capture a slam. The year belonged to the Anthony’s sharing 2 when in the end Pelligra ran the table and won the Masters Cup. The first time anyone had done so without dropping a match.
It’s an odd factoid for sure but if there is something to it, look out Pelligra!
2009
TOSTE CHAMPION
Pelligra Finals
Ferrara Semis
Vurro Semis
2010
FERRARA CHAMPION
Pelligra Finals
Civello Semis
Titan Semis
2011
PELLIGRA CHAMPION
Titan Finals
Ferrara Semis
Vurro Semis
