WIMBLEDON – Ernests Gulbis pulled off the upset of the day at Wimbledon on Monday when the Latvia topped sixth seed Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic 7-6 (5), 7-6 (4), 7-6 (4).
Berdych who was the runner-up to Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon in 2010 had no answer for Gulbis’ serve as the Latvian nailed 30 aces, along with 62 winners.
“I have been playing really well in the practices, Gulbis said. “In the practices I beat everybody. Really, whoever I practiced with, he was out. Yeah, it gives me some confidence, you know. Even the practices give you some confidence.
“I was a bit nervous in the beginning of the match, but then the way I served, it opened me up, and starting from second set I just got more relaxed.â€
“It’s really simple: you practice, results will come,†added Gulbis. “You don’t practice, results will not come. Also you have to practice in the right way which suits you. Everybody has their own way of practicing.
“One likes to play one hour a day and go five hours in the gym. One likes to play a lot and don’t go to gym. So you have to find your own balance, and you have your own formula and you go for it. Then it’s easy.
If you find your formula, if you practice good enough and a lot, the results will comeâ€
“I’m just 23 years old. I’m going to be 24 this year. You know, a lot of players mature later than others. Some mature at 15; some mature the 29. I hope it’s somewhere in between; 23 is okay.”
Gulbis is currently working with Austrian coach Gunther Bresnik.
“I have been really working hard last month with the new coach, in a new place. I did good preparation here the week before. That’s the result, you know. I really enjoy working with my new coach, Gunther Bresnik. He’s based in Austria. First time I came to him and his academy I asked him to come to Paris and then Wimbledon as well.
“It’s really been good. He really helped me a lot.”
“So we see. I don’t know. I don’t want to make any predictions. Just go match by match. I play well today. Let’s see what happens next round.â€
Gulbis will try to reach the third round when he takes on Jerzy Janowicz of Poland next.