Santiago Sunday Preview

© Movistar Open/Jim RydellSpain's Tommy Robredo is chasing his first title since 2009.

The championship of the Movistar Open on Sunday matches No. 8 seed Santiago Giraldo of Colombia against No. 6 Tommy Robredo of Spain.  Giraldo, who is appearing in his first ATP World Tour final, won the previous meeting against Robredo at the Australian Open last year. Robredo is trying to capture his 10th career ATP World Tour title in his 17th final. Last year Robredo failed to reach an ATP World Tour final for the first time since 2002. Giraldo is looking to become the first Colombian to win an ATP World Tour title since Apr. 22, 1995 in Bermuda.

WHAT’S AT STAKE –
Winner:  $68,850 and 250 South African Airways 2011 ATP Ranking points
Runner-up: $36,250 and 150 South African Airways 2011 ATP Ranking points

FINALS HISTORY –
Giraldo: Appearing in his 1st  career ATP World Tour final  
Robredo: Appearing in his 17th career ATP World Tour final…..He is 9-7 lifetime in finals (8-5 on clay)

Buy Tickets

Sunday Championship FedEx ATP Head 2 Head – 
 
(8) Santiago Giraldo (COL) vs (6) Tommy Robredo (ESP) Giraldo Leads 1-0
10 Australian Open (Australia) Hard R128 Santiago Giraldo 6-4 6-2 6-2

Giraldo FastFacts:
2011 Highlights:
SF: Auckland (l Ferrer); QF: Brisbane (l Anderson)
YTD W-L: 10-3
YTD Titles: 0
Career Titles: 0
Date of Birth: November 27, 1987
South African Airways 2011 ATP Ranking: 57

• Giraldo, 23, is appearing in his first ATP World Tour final after winning three three-set matches en route…He is trying to become the first Colombian winner since Mauricio Hadad earned the title in Bermuda on Apr. 22, 1995
• The top Colombian at No. 57 is off to a career-best 10-3 start and last year he didn’t win his 10th match until the week of May 3 in Estoril
• Last season finished in the Top 100 for the first time at No. 64 with a personal-best 20 match wins (20-4) and his best result was a pair of quarter-finals in Chennai and ‘s-Hertogenbosch 

Robredo FastFacts:
2011 Highlights:
YTD W-L: 8-2
YTD Titles: 0
Career Titles: 9
Date of Birth: May 1, 1982
South African Airways 2011 ATP Ranking: 40

• Robredo, 28, enters with an 8-2 match record on the season and he’s looking to win his 10th career ATP World Tour title (9-7) in his 17th final (8-5 on clay)
• He dropped the opening set in his first round win over Frederico Gil and in the semi-finals on Saturday, lost the first set vs. Fabio Fognini before rallying
• He advanced to the 4th RD at the Australian Open (l. to Federer)…Has played in 41 consecutive Grand Slam tournaments since 2001 Australian Open
• The Spaniard is looking to return to the winner’s circle after not reaching an ATP World Tour final last season