Results
2010
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10. - 18.7. SkiStar Swedish Open (Bastad, SWE) ATP (€ 450.000) Q
www.swedishopen.org
DRAW
32 W Patrik ROSENHOLM (SWE) 7-6(1), 6-7(12), 6-2
16 L Carl BERGMAN (SWE) 4-6, 6-1, 3-6
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5. - 11.7. Oberstaufen Cup (GER) CH (€ 30.000 + H) MD
http://oberstaufen-cup.de
DRAW
32 L Andreas HAIDER-MAURER (AUT) 3-6, 6-3, 3-6
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29.6. - 4.7. Wilhelmshöhe Open, Kassel (GER) Germany F7 ($ 15.000 + H) MD
www.wilhelmshoehe-open.de
DRAW
32 W Kevin DEDEN (GER) 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(2)
16 L Marcel ZIMMERMANN (GER) 4-6, 4-6
Doubles; partnering Tim GORANSSON (SWE)
DRAW
16 L HEINEMANN (GER) / ZIMMERMANN (GER) 5-7, 6-4, [5-10]
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13. - 19.6. Unicef Open, s'Hertogenbosch (NL) ATP ($ 450.000) MD
www.unicefopen.nl
DRAW
32 W Dustin BROWN (JAM) 7-5, 2-6, 7-6(5)
16 L Benjamin BECKER (GER) 2-6, 1-6
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7. - 9.5. Davis Cup South Africa - Finland L (0-5)
Henri didn't play; injured.
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26.4. - 2.5. Rhodes (GRE) CH (€ 30.000 + H) MD
www.atcrhodes.com
DRAW
32 W Bjorn PHAU (GER) 6-3, 6-1
16 W Adrian MANNARINO (FRA) 6-4, 6-1
QF Rainer SCHUETTLER (GER)
Doubles; partnering Ruben BEMELMANS (BEL)
DRAW
16 W ANGELINOS (GRE) / JAKUPOVIC (GRE) 6-2, 6-2
QF L DE VOEST (RSA) / LU (TPE) 3-6, 4-6
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16. - 21.3. Bath, Great Britain F4 ($ 15.000) MD
DRAW
32 W Barry KING (IRL) 2-6, 6-4, 6-3
16 L Chris PRIDDLE W.O.
Doubles; partnering Frederik NIELSEN (DEN)
DRAW
16 L MAJAUSKAS (LTU) / SAKINIS (LTU) W.O.
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5. -7.3. Davis Cup Poland - Finland W (2-3)
Singles; L Lukasz KUBOT 4-6, 2-6, 6-7(5)
Doubles; partnering Jarkko NIEMINEN
L FYRSTENBERG / MATKOWSKI 4-6, 6-7(4), 6-4, 3-6
Singles; W Michal PRZYSIESNY 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(4), 7-6(4), 7-5
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22. - 28.2. Bosnia & Herzegovina (BIH) F2 ($ 15.000) MD
DRAW
32 W Aldin SETKIC (BIH) 6-2, 7-6(4)
16 W Ismar GORCIC (BIH) 6-7(3), 6-1, 6-2
QF W Damir DZUMHUR (BIH) 6-3, 7-6(4)
SF W Dennis BLOEMKE (GER) 7-5, 6-4
FR W Alexander PEYA (AUT) 6-3, 7-6(4)
Doubles; partnering Andis JUSKA (LAT)
DRAW
16 L ADEMOVIC (BIH) / DZUMHUR (BIH) W/O
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1. - 7.2. McDonalds Burnie International (Burnie, AUS) CH ($ 50.000) MD
DRAW
32 L Nick LINDAHL (AUS) 1-6, 1-6
Doubles; partnering Pierre-Ludovic DUCLOS (CAN)
DRAW
16 L LEMKE (AUS) / PROPOGGIA (AUS) 3-6, 4-6
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13. - 31.1. Australian Open (Melbourne) GS ($ 21.400.000) Q
DRAW
128 L Conor NILAND (IRL) 4-6, 4-6
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4. - 10.1. Qatar ExxonMobil Open (Doha, Qatar) ATP ($ 1.024.000) Q
DRAW
32 L Karol BECK (SVK) 1-6, 2-6
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2009 - The First Year as a Professional Player
Start of Season: Getting the Touch
After the successful breakthrough year, Henri was facing the most demanding challenge for a tennis player - his first year as a professional player in men's tournaments.
The season began in February in Croatian future where Henri was mainly getting used to pro surroundings. After this, in Davis Cup and together with Jarkko Nieminen, Henri had an important victory in doubles that helped Finland continue. In March in Great Britain, the road was leading upwards with titles with Daniel Evans. The spring went on at a challenger tournament in Sarajevo where Henri reached the main draw. Facing Marius Copil, Henri solved 6 match points and eventually, he won the tie break 14-12. In the main draw, against Haider-Maurer, Henri won the first set 6-1, the result being like a warning of what was to come during the latter half of the season.
In the spring, Henri went on to play at Rhodes Challenger Tournament where he received a wild card to the main draw. It was not quite the time for success yet but he was getting closer. After the Kuwait futures in the boiling heat of May, Henkka went on to play in a more cooling climate of Norway, reaching quarter finals twice in the singles futures. From the land of cods, the journey led to German Challenger Tournament together with Timo Nieminen. The Finns were to play against each other! Henkka won the exciting match and Timo gave him a good resistance. In the next run, Kamke proved to be stronger than Henri but all in all, the first season had had a good start.
End of Season: Reaching Results
In July in Naantali Davis Cup, Finland was defeating Monaco. At the deciding match, Henkka rose to a completely new level with his playing and there was a rare Finnish DC rapture in the air. This was a good start for the clay court season. In the turn of August, in Tampere, Henkka reached a challenger singles quarter finals for the first time. The season continued in Lithuania futures where Henri took the first titles at a men's singles tournament. A couple of weeks after the Vierumäki futures, it was the time for hard court tournaments.
In September, Henri played important DC rising matches with Cyprus defeating. Henri gained important experience when he played against Marcos Baghdatis, a former top 10 player. Henri and Jarkko Nieminen took the match rising from 0-2 to 3-2. In the last singles on Sunday, Henri once again held the keys to solution: he won Photos Kalliasis 3-0 and thus, Finland had finally found its way back to 1st division and back to reach new, more demanding goals.
In German futures in October, Henri played all the way to the finals where he slightly lost to Polish Przysiezny 2-1. After that, he reached semifinals with Jarkko Nieminen as his partner in Kolding challenger tournament in Denmark. Next destination was the qualifying in the Stockholm ATP tournament where Henri took the necessary three matches thus reaching the main draw. Henri was now playing his first ATP singles match vs. Michael Berrer. The match was close, the German being slightly more accurate and thus winning. Because he had to experience slight losses, Henri became persistent in proceeding all the way to winning the titles in Cardiff, Wales's futures singles, and did it without losing a set. While making his way there, he won many tough players such as Przysiezny, D. Evans and Mertens.
In November in Jersey, Henri continued good performances beating both Bastl and Bohli. Finally, a long-awaited encounter took place in the quarter finals where Henri played against Jarkko Nieminen for the first time. In quite an even match, Jarkko won but only 6-4, 6-4. In doubles, the Finns made their way to the finals. The last tournament of the season took place at Henri's home hall, Tali Tennis Centre in Helsinki. Henri took his first top 100 victory by beating Michael Berrer of Germany in the opening and eventually, Henri faced Jarkko Nieminen again in the quarter finals. In front of the full house, Henri beat his Finnish forerunner 7-6, 6-4. In semi finals, Henri defeated Bohli again but this time, the Swiss was having a better day. All in all, Henri achieved 40 ATP important points in singles. In doubles, Henri and Jarkko reached to the finals, achieving 65 ATP points.
After his first professional year, Henri's main achievements included ATP ranking 288 in singles and ATP 248 in doubles. Fairly impressive, considering that he started from ranks 1823 and 590. In singles, his rise was the best of the year 2009! Still in December, Henri won the Swedish team championship as a member of the SALK of Stockholm. Among others he won A. Vinciguerra, the second best player of the Swedish national team, twice. The most significant figures of Henri's pro year can be found in the tie break statistics: During the season, Henri played 26 tie breaks in singles when counting all the matches, and he won 20 of them.
Best achievements, singles:
ATP Stockholm: main draw
DC Naantali and Salo: winning decisive matches
CH Helsinki: semifinals
CH Jersey: quarter finals
CH Tampere: quarter finals
FU Cardiff: title
FU Vilna: title
FU Leimen: finals
Best achievements, doubles:
CH Helsinki: finals
CH Jersey: finals
CH Kolding: semifinals
FU Great Britain: title
FU KUW x 2: 2 x title
FU NOR: title
FU EST: title
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2009
9.12. AND 12.12. Swedish Team Championship; FINAL (in Stockholm and Malmö)
SALK, Henri's club in Sweden, is Swedish Champion 2009 !!!
Fair Play TK - SALK in Malmö 12.12.2009
W Andreas VINCIGUERRA (Fair Play TK) 7-6(4), 6-4
Doubles; partnering Harri HELIÖVAARA
W Figueroa / Wallin 6-2, 7-5
SALK - Fair Play TK in Stockholm 9.12.2009
W Andreas VINCIGUERRA (Fair Play TK) 7-6(5), 7-5
Doubles; partnering Milos SEKULIC
W Pablo FIGUEROA / Andreas VINCIGUERRA 6-4, 6-3
6.12. Swedish Team Championship; SEMIFINAL (in Lidköping)
Lidköping TK - SALK; Henri played team's first singles
W Richard HOLMSTRÖM (LTK) 6-3, 7-5
No doubles, SALK led 4-0 after singles
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23. - 29.11. IPP Helsinki Open (FIN) CH ($ 125.000+H) MD
DRAW
32 W Michael BERRER (GER) 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(6)
16 W Julian REISTER (GER) 7-6(6), 6-3
QF W Jarkko NIEMINEN (FIN) 7-6(0), 6-4
SF L Stephane BOHLI (SUI) 7-5, 4-6, 6-7(5)
Doubles; partnering Jarkko NIEMINEN (FIN)
DRAW
16 W HUTCHINS (GBR) / TECAU (ROU) 7-6(10), 6-3
QF W JUNAID (AUS) / MOTTI (ITA) 6-3, 6-4
SF W MARX (GER) / ZELENAY (SVK) 3-6, 6-4, [10-8]
FR L BOPANNA (IND) / QURESHI (PAK) 2-6, 6-7(7)
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9. - 15.11. Jersey (GBR) CH ($ 50.000) MD
DRAW
32 W George BASTL (SUI) 2-6, 6-2, 6-2
16 W Stephane BOHLI (SUI) 7-6(2), 6-1
QF L Jarkko NIEMINEN (FIN) 4-6, 4-6
Doubles; partnering Jarkko NIEMINEN (FIN)
DRAW
16 W FLEMING (GBR) / SKUPSKI (GBR) 6-4, 7-6(4)
QF W PAUFFLEY (GBR) / WARD (GBR) 6-4, 6-2
SF W DUCLOS (CAN) / GOODALL (GBR) 6-7, 6-1, [10-5]
FR L NIELSEN (DEN) / SIRIANI (AUS) 5-7, 6-3, [2-10]
9. - 15.11. Jersey (GBR) CH ($ 50.000) Q
DRAW
32 BYE
16 W David MARTIN (USA) 6-1, 6-4
QR W Olivier CHARROIN (FRA) 4-6, 6-3, 6-4
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26.10. - 1.11. Great Britain F 16 ($ 15.000) MD
DRAW
32 W Richard BLOOMFIELD (GBR) 6-4, 3-1 RTD
16 W Joshua MILTON (GBR) 7-5, 6-3
QF W Michal PRZYSIEZNY (POL) 6-3, 6-3
SF W Daniel EVANS (GBR) 6-1, 6-0
FR W Yannick MERTENS (BEL) 7-6(4), 7-5
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19. - 25.10. If Stockholm Open (SWE) ATP ($ 850.000) MD (www.ifstockholmopen.se)
DRAW
32 L Michael BERRER (GER) 5-7, 6-7(7)
19. - 25.10. If Stockholm Open (SWE) ATP ($ 850.000) Q
DRAW
32 W Patrik ROSENHOLM (SWE) 6-1, 7-6(2)
16 W Marsel ILHAN (TUR) 7-5, 6-1
QR W Marco CRUGNOLA (ITA) 7-6(2), 3-6, 7-5
Doubles; partnering Jarkko NIEMINEN (FIN)
DRAW
16 L COETZEE (RSA) / HUSS (AUS) 6-2, 3-6, [6-10]
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12. - 18.10. Kolding (DEN) CH ($ 50.000)
DRAW
Doubles; partnering Jarkko NIEMINEN (FIN)
16 W DODIG (CRO) / VEIC (CRO) 6-2, 6-2
QF W EMMRICH (GER) / SILJESTRÖM (SWE) 6-7(1), 7-6(3), [10-4]
SF L MARRAY (GBR) / QURESHI (PAK) 3-6, 4-6
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5. - 11.10. Germany F19 ($ 10.000) MD
DRAW
32 W Peter LUCASSEN (NED) 6-2, 7-5
16 W Matthias KOLBE (GER) 6-2, 2-6, 6-3
QF W Timo NIEMINEN (FIN) 6-2, 6-3
SF W Jan-Lennard STRUFF (GER) 6-3, 6-2
FR L Michal PRZYSIEZNY (POL) 6-3, 2-6, 5-7
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18. - 20.9. Davis Cup Finland - Cyprus; W (3-2)
Singles; L Marcos BAGHDATIS 3-6, 3-6, 2-6
Doubles; W H. KONTINEN / J. NIEMINEN - M. BAGHDATIS / P. KALLIAS 6-7(4), 1-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5
Singles; W Photos KALLIAS 6-0, 7-5, 6-0
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7. - 13.9. Turkey F8 ($ 15.000) MD
DRAW
32 L Conor NILAND (IRL) 3-6, 1-6
DRAW
16 W KOYLU (TUR) / YUKSEL (NED) 7-5, 6-2
QF W AKKOYUN (TUR) / ZORLU (TUR) 6-4, 6-7(5), [10-3]
SF L MOLCHANOV (UKR) / SNOBEL (CZE) 4-6, 4-6
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14. - 16.8 Finland's team championship
W Max WENNÄKOSKI (FIN / GVLK) 6-1, 6-3
W Lauri KIISKI (FIN / Tats) 6-3, 6-4
Doubles; partnering Harri HELIÖVAARA
W L. KIISKI (FIN / Tats) / M. KANGAS (FIN / Tats) 6-4, 6-2
HVS, Henri's home club, is Finnish Champion 2009
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10. - 16.8. Finland F1 ($ 10.000) MD
DRAW
32 W Cezar Sincan JOHANSSON (NOR) 7-5, 6-4
16 W Jesse KIURU (FIN) 6-2, 6-3
QF W Barry KING (IRL) 6-2, 6-4
SF L Juho PAUKKU (FIN) 4-6, 6-2, 4-6
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3. - 9.8. Lithuania F1 ($ 10.000) MD
DRAW
32 W Vadim PINKO (LTU) 6-1, 2-6, 6-2
16 W Thomas CAZES-CARRERE (FRA) 6-4, 6-1
QF W Gregoire BURQUIER (FRA) 4-6, 6-3, 6-0
SF W Pierre METENIER 7-5, 6-4
FR W Timo NIEMINEN (FIN) 6-1, 6-3
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27.7. - 2.8. Tampere (FIN) CH ($ 50.000) MD (www.tampereopen.fi)
DRAW
32 W Julian REISTER (GER) 7-6(6), 7-6(5)
16 W Simone VAGNOZZI (ITA) 6-4, 6-3
QF L Florian MAYER (GER) 2-6, 4-6
Doubles; partnering Harri HELIÖVAARA (FIN)
DRAW
16 L LUCZAK (AUS) / SCHUKIN (KAZ) 1-6, 4-6
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20. - 26.7. Estonia F2 ($ 10.000) MD
DRAW
32 L Jurgen ZOPP (EST) 5-7, 4-6
Doubles; partnering Harri HELIÖVAARA (FIN)
DRAW
16 BYE
QF W BRUNSTRÖM (SWE) / ERIKSSON (SWE) 6-2, 6-3
SF W BERGMAN (SWE) / KROMANN (DEN) 7-6(5), 6-3
FR W KUNNAP (EST) / PAUKKU (FIN) 6-3, 6-3
20. - 26.7. Estonia F2 ($ 10.000) Q
DRAW
32 W Max WENNÄKOSKI (FIN) 6-0, 6-4
QR W Richards EMULINS (LAT) 6-3, 4-6, 6-4
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10. - 12.7. Davis Cup Finland - Monaco; W (3-2)
Singles; W Guillaume COUILLARD 4-6, 4-6, 7-6(4), 7-6(5), 6-2
Doubles; L H. KONTINEN / H. HELIÖVAARA - B. BALLERET / G. COUILLARD 3-6, 6-7(7), 3-6
Singles; W Benjamin BALLERT 6-3, 6-4, 6-1
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29.6. - 5.7. Braunschweig (GER) CH ($125.000+H) Q
DRAW
32 W Timo NIEMINEN (FIN) 6-3, 7-6(8)
16 L Tobias KAMKE (GER) 3-6, 4-6
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22.6. - 28.6. Norway (NOR) F2 ($15.000) MD
DRAW
32 W Michael MCCLUNE (USA) 6-3, 2-6, 6-4
16 W Milos SEKULIC (SWE) 6-4, 6-2
QF L Daniel COX (GBR) 0-6, 6-7(3)
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15.6. - 21.6. Norway (NOR) F1 ($15.000) MD
DRAW
32 W Erling TVEIT (NOR) 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-1
16 W Matthew ILLINGWORTH (GBR) 5-7, 6-2, 7-6(4)
QF L Michael MCCLUNE (USA) 2-6, 6-7(1)
Doubles; partnering Timo NIEMINEN (FIN)
DRAW
16 W BJERKE (NOR) / KILDAHL (NOR) 6-2, 6-3
QF W BORETTI (NOR) / TVEIT (NOR) 6-4, 3-6, [10-4]
SF W BERGMAN (SWE) / NORFELDT (SWE) 6-2, 6-2
FR W MARTIN (FRA) / MCCLUNE (USA) 6-3, 6-3
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25.5. - 31.5. Kuwait (KUW) F2 ($15.000) MD
DRAW
32 W Ahmad Rabeea MUHAMMAD (KUW) 6-2, 6-1
16 L Mohammad GHAREEB (KUW) 5-7, 3-6
Doubles; partnering Sebastian RIESCHICK (GER)
DRAW
16 W AL GHAREEB (KUW) / JAZIRI (TUN) 6-2, 6-2
QF W SHARAN (IND) / VARDHAN (IND) 6-3, 6-2
SF W NARAYANASWAMY (IND) / VIRALI-MURUGESAN (IND) 6-4, 6-2
FR W KRKOSKA (CZE) / YSERN (FRA) 6-4, 6-4
25.5. - 31.5. Kuwait (KUW) F2 ($15.000) Q
http://www.atpworldtour.com/tennis/en/common/TrackIt.asp?file=/1/posting/2009/842/qs.pdf
32 BYE
QR W Ziad SULTAN (KUW) 6-3, 6-2
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18.5. - 24.5. Kuwait (KUW) F1 ($15.000) MD
http://www.atpworldtour.com/tennis/en/common/TrackIt.asp?file=/1/posting/2009/834/mds.pdf
32 L Johan ORTEGREN (SWE) 2-6, 2-6
Doubles; partnering Sebastian RIESCHICK (GER)
http://www.atpworldtour.com/tennis/en/common/TrackIt.asp?file=/1/posting/2009/834/mdd.pdf
16 W MUBARAK (KUW) / REDA (KUW) 6-1, 6-1
QF W SHARAN (IND) / VARDHAN (IND) 6-2, 7-5
SF W KRKOSKA (CZE) / YSERN (FRA) 6-4, 5-7, [10-5]
FR W SHOKEEN (IND) / SINGH (IND) 6-4, 6-2
18.5. - 24.5. Kuwait (KUW) F1 ($15.000) Q
http://www.atpworldtour.com/tennis/en/common/TrackIt.asp?file=/1/posting/2009/834/qs.pdf
32 W Ahmad ABDULRAHEEM (KUW) 6-0, 6-0
QR W Ahmed ALI (KUW) 6-1, 6-0
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27.4. - 3.5. Rhodes (GRE) CH ($100.000+H) MD
http://www.atpworldtour.com/tennis/en/common/TrackIt.asp?file=/1/posting/2009/5061/mds.pdf
32 L Simon STADLER (GER) 4-6, 4-6
Doubles; partnering Alexandros GEORGOUDAS (GER)
http://www.atpworldtour.com/tennis/en/common/TrackIt.asp?file=/1/posting/2009/5061/mdd.pdf
16 L OSWALD (AUT) / ZELENAY (SVK) 3-6, 2-6
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13. - 19.4. Angers (FRA) F6 ($15.000+H) Q
http://www.atpworldtour.com/tennis/en/common/TrackIt.asp?file=/1/posting/2009/335/qs.pdf
64 W Jean-Pierre BAJOT (FRA) 6-2, 6-2
32 L Jean-Christophe FAUREL (FRA) 3-6, 6-7(3)
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21. - 29.3. Sarajevo (BIH) CH ($30.000+H) MD
32 L Andreas HAIDER-MAURER (AUT) 6-1, 6-7(2), 3-6
21. - 29.3. Sarajevo (BIH) CH ($30.000+H) Q
32 W Marko BARALIC (SRB) 6-2, 6-1
16 W Marius COPIL (ROU) 5-7, 7-5, 7-6(12)
QR W Ivaylo TRAYKOV (BUL) 6-2, 7-6(3)
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15. - 21.3. Great Britain F4 ($15.000) MD
32 L Ladislav CHRAMOSTA (CZE) 2-6, 6-3, 3-6
Doubles; partnering Daniel EVANS (GBR)
16 W DELGADO (GBR) / MARRAY (GBR) 6-2, 6-3
QF L WOLMARANS (RSA) / YANI (USA) 2-6, 6-7(5)
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9.3. - 14.3. Great Britain F3 ($15.000) MD
32 L Stephane ROBERT (FRA) 5-7, 2-6
Doubles; partnering Daniel EVANS (GBR)
16 W PAUFFLEY (GBR) / WILLIS (GBR) 7-6(3), 6-4
QF W BLOOBFIELD (GBR) / MARRAY (GBR) 4-6, 6-3, [10-5]
SF W CHRAMOSTA (CZE) / ZITKO (CZE) 7-6(6), 7-5
FR W OUDSEMA (USA) / SIMMONDS (USA) 6-7(6), 7-6(4), [10-4]
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6. - 8.3. Davis Cup Denmark - Finland; W (2 - 3)
Doubles; W NIELSEN / NORBY - H. KONTINEN / J. NIEMINEN 4-6, 4-6, 5-7
Singles; L Martin PEDERSEN - Henri KONTINEN 6-4, 6-4
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14. - 16.2. Croatia F2 ($15.000) Q
64 W Joe YOUNG (USA) 6-3, 6-0
32 W Ante PAVIC (CRO) 7-6(5), 7-6(7)
16 L Layrynas GRIGELIS (LTU) 3-6, 4-6
Doubles; partnering Marin DRAGANJA (CRO)
32 L KLIZAN (SVK) / MEKTIC (CRO) 2-6, 3-6
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Breakthrough year 2008
After he had finally healed from his persistent knee ache, Henri started his successful last junior year participating in Asian hardcourt tournaments in March, advancing all the way through becoming the G2 tournament winner in Indonesia. Right next week from that, Henri made it to G1 final in Thailand. Henri still had time to travel to England where he achieved a Future level doubles victory with his partner Harri Heliövaara. In April, Henri was invited to participate in the Finnish Davis Cup team, when he was only 17 years of age. He made his debut as Jarkko Nieminen's partner in Saturday's doubles against a top South African pair and got also a chance to play the last singles on Sunday.
After all this, Henkka headed towards the European claycourt tournaments. He achieved great success in doubles, winning three G1 titles, but in singles, his grip was not quite as good. At the first Grand Slam of his career, French Open, he was defeated on the first round in singles but continued his excellent performance in doubles: he won the title with Indonesian Christopher Rungkat without losing a set.
In June, Henri travelled to play at British grass tournaments and was invited to play at the legendary Queen's Club where he at once won two matches, advancing thus to semifinals. At Roehampton G1, he also advanced to semifinals in singles, and won a title in doubles, which was an excellent stepping stone to the main event of the year, Wimbledon Grand Slam tournament. In Wimbledon, Henri won four matches before confronting the first ranked Bernard Tomic in semifinals. Henkka defeated Tomic 7-6, 6-4. In the final, Henkka had to yield to Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria 5-7, 3-6. The last two matches were shown live on a Finnish national television channel.
In July, Henri returned to claycourts. He became the hero of Finland when he won the last decisive singles match against Luxembourg at Davis Cup. Next week in Austria, Henri participated in European Championships of the 18-year-olds where he played his best clay tournament reaching the final. A busy month continued at a challenger tournament in Tampere, Finland, where he advanced to the doubles' final again with Harri Heliövaara.
The final junior year ended with hardcourt tournaments in North America. In Canada G1 and US Open, Henri advanced to the doubles final. In singles, Henri advanced to quarter finals.
2008 official juniors' combined ITF-ranking no. 5, doubles ranking no. 1
Best achievements 2008, singles:
Wimbledon; final
European Championships U18; final
US Open; quarter final
G1; final and semifinal
G2; title
Davis Cup; debut against South Africa, and a decisive victory over Luxembourg
Best achievements 2008, doubles:
French Open; title
US Open; final
G1; three titles and one final
Tampere Challenger; final
English F6 and Swedish F2 titles
Davis Cup; matches with Jarkko Nieminen against South Africa and Luxembourg
