Upbeat Mikhail Youzhny looking for continued success in 2014
Mikhail Youzhny will begin his 2014 campaign at the Chennai Open, which he last won in 2008 by defeating Rafael Nadal.
Russia's Mikhail Youzhny said he was positive about 2014 and plans to make no changes to his training schedule. The World No. 15 is gearing up for the upcoming Chennai Open in the hope of repeating his performance from the 2008 final when he beat Rafael Nadal 6-0, 6-1.
Youzhny had an impressive run of form in 2013, which started with his 400th career ATP World Tour-level singles win over Benjamin Becker in Doha.He then finished runner-up in Halle final losing to Roger Federer and after that became the first Russian champion in 18 years at Gstaad, defeating Robin Haase. "I think I put up a good fight right through. I played consistently during all three sets. We both played good tennis but Roger played little better!" said the 31-year-old describing his match with the World No.6 in Halle.
Youzhny also made his way to his third US Open quarterfinals after beating Tommy Hass and Leyton Hewitt in rounds three and four respectively. "While I feel that I did not do bad job, I do not have the euphoria of success because I always want to do better. As far as I know, there are only two players in the ATP Tour, who have finished all years since 2002 in the top 50. I am fortunate to share that honour with Federer! I think it is not that bad," he said talking about the year that has gone by.
This year, Youzhny also went on to win his second ATP World Tour crown of the season and lifted the 10th trophy of his career with victory over 31-year-old David Ferrer at the Valencia Open 500. It was Youzhny's 10th career title and first victory over a Top 5 opponent since 2010, when he upset Novak Djokovic in the Rotterdam semi-finals. Speaking about the experience, he said, "I just went to play my best and did not think about the result."
"Both were two very different matches. At the Monte Carlo Masters, it was the first clay court tournament for both of us and we both were not in best shape. I think I had some chances to win, but did not convert. In New York, we both were in good shape, but Novak was fresh. He was more consistent. I was just out of a tough five set match against Hewitt in the fourth round," he said expressing his views.
Alongside a number of top players, Youzhny will begin 2014 with Chennai Open and will hope to keep the momentum going.