Getting To Know Ernests Gulbis: Raw Talent Meets Initial Success

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: March 1, 2010

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It's that time of week again, folks. The time of week where we take a look at a new, familiar, or rejuvenated ATP World Tour star, and his success on the circuit.

In the circle of many tennis enthusiasts and fans alike, the name Ernests Gulbis has always remained a familiar constant. Beginning his professional career in 2004, a 16-year-old Gulbis had already earned high accolades from his peers and coaches. Holding significant power off of both his forehand and backhand strokes, Gublis played tennis—even from his early teens—like it was a magnified version of ping pong.

Making himself a viable name on Tour by reaching the fourth-round of the 2007 US Open, Gulbis dismantled No. 8 seed Tommy Robredo in the third-round before losing to veteran Carlos Moya. It was during his match with Robredo (a match which I attended) where the promise of the young Latvian was ever present.

Picking apart the rock-solid strokes of Robredo was never an easy task, considering his consistent track record throughout his career (especially at the Majors). For Gulbis to defeat the Spaniard 6-1, 6-2, 6-3 in 89 minutes—taking into account that it was his debut in New York—was a testament to his tremendous talent. Although Gulbis would lose in the next round to Moya, I would leave New York with a new red circle around a surefire future champion.

Well, my vision of Gulbis' future would soon take a hit.

Although Gulbis' 2008 season would feature his first-ever Grand Slam quarterfinal finish at the French Open, his year would remain without a maiden title, and no better than a quarterfinal finish on Tour. My darkhorse pick of the Latvian as a Grand Slam contender was surely under fire.

I met Gulbis during the US Open in '08 at the players' hotel in Manhattan, the day before he was set to take on Andy Roddick in the second-round. At the time, Gulbis seemed very poised and confident for a player...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Tennis

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