PETE ZIEBRON
Former US Open Semifinalist Joachim "Pim Pim" Johansson returned to the tennis court today defeating Canadian Erik Chvojka 6-3 7-5 in the open round of qualifying at the If Stockholm Open. Aside from playing one Futures event, one Challenger tournament and a Davis Cup match in 2011 as well as one match in Davis Cup in 2010, this was the first action on the ATP circuit for Johansson since 2009.
The former world #9 (February 2005), hit 9 aces today and saved all 4 break point opportunities held by Chvojka in advancing to the 2nd round of qualifying. Tomorrow's opponent is the #4 seed in the qualifying draw, German Matthias Bachinger, who rallied from a one set deficit to win the last 12 games of the match, posting a 5-7 6-0 6-0 win over Juan Sebastian Cabal of Colombia.
Nine years ago, the 6"6' Swede's game resembled that of Juan Martin del Potro, yet another 6'6" top ten player with a huge serve and heavy forehand. Earlier today, the current world #5 del Potro defeated world #1 Rafael Nadal 6-2 6-4 to advance to the Final of the Shanghai Masters 1000. One can only wonder how successful Johansson would have been had it not been for nagging right shoulder injuries that forced him to retire from tennis.
Johansson once held the ATP record for aces in a match, pounding 51 of them past Andre Agassi in 4 sets in a 4th round loss at the 2005 Australian Open. Four months earlier at the 2004 US Open, Johansson defeated defending Champion Andy Roddick in the quarterfinals before falling to Lleyton Hewitt in the semis.
Due to shoulder injuries, 2004 was the only year that Johansson played all 4 majors. He owns 3 ATP titles - Memphis in 2004 as well as Adelaide and Marseille in 2005 and sports a perfect 3-0 record in ATP Finals.
Should Johansson win two more qualifying matches, potential opponents in the If Stockholm main draw include: #7 seed Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria, Spaniard Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, Jan-Lennard Struff of Germany or Alejandro Falla of Colombia.
Welcome Back to tennis Pim Pim!
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