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He had to wait almost a year, but Jarkko Nieminen's win in last January's international open in Auckland finally received the Finnish presidential stamp of approval at a glittering ceremony last month.
Nieminen's Heineken Open triumph in Auckland last January signalled the start of a stellar year for the 25-year-old as his ranking zoomed to a career-high 13 (from 30 before his win at the ASB Tennis Centre) before settling at a year-ending 15. He banked a cool US$894,565 ($1.26 million) as his career earnings reached US$2.69 million.
"The win here did not change my life but it did change my approach on the court," said Nieminen after an hour-long hit-up with Chilean Paul Capdeville on a back court a few hours after arriving in Auckland yesterday.
"With that win I felt I had [finally] done it. From that point it was not such a big deal to play semifinals or even quarter-finals at Grand Slams.
"It really helped my year. Winning that first one was very tough for me. I felt for the previous three years I had the game to win a title - I had been in something like 15 semifinals without going all the way.
"The win allowed me to take more confidence on to the court - more mentally than physically."
While his win here remains his only success on the ATP Tour, the affable Finn remains confident a second win is not too far away.
"Even last year I felt I was ready and playing well enough to win again but too often I let myself down with one bad match when I felt I could win another title.
"Last season was great for me, but not perfect. Mentally I was much stronger even on the difficult days. I played clever."
As defending champion, Nieminen accepts the added pressure but is not about to let it upset his approach and preparation.
"I am enjoying the experience. It is a nice feeling to come in as defending champion, especially for the first time. I know I will have to play my best as the draw is very tough.
"You could lose first round," he said. "But that's men's tennis these days."
Nieminen has set his sights on the top 10 this year. He reached the quarter-finals at Wimbledon last year before running into the Rafael Nadal freight train.
It was his second Grand Slam quarter after reaching the last eight at the US Open a year earlier.
He takes heart from his efforts in Auckland a year ago, especially as he had been knocked out in the first round in two earlier visits.
"I played very well against Olivier Rochus [in the semifinals] and that set me up for a solid effort against Mario Ancic in the final."
That match was shown live on television in the wee hours in his homeland and led to celebrations when he returned a couple of weeks later, after the Australian Open, where he lost in the third round to David Nalbandian.
"It was a big thing in Finland," he said. "Tennis is not a big sport in our country."
Despite his effort, 3000m steeplechaser Jukka Keskisalo was named Finland's sportsman of the year last month.
Nieminen has had his sights set on Auckland for some time. While his wife Anu Weckstrom, a world-ranked badminton player, headed to tournaments in Asia he continued his off-season break and build-up for the Heineken Open - a tournament which holds a special spot on his schedule.
"Even if I was not defending, I would have been here," he said. "It is one of my favourite spots on the tour. I really like the place, the atmosphere and the people. It is special."
Even more so if he can make it two in a row next week.
A number of the leading players are expected today with Open boss Graham Pearce to name the overseas player who will receive the final wildcard - someone, apparently, regarded as a player of the future who has already impressed in ITF tournaments.
The 32-strong qualifying draw - to find four players for the main field - will be made late today with first and second round matches to be played at the More FM Tennis Centre, Albany, tomorrow and Sunday. Final qualifying matches will be played as part of Monday's first day (proper) draw.
Jarkko Nieminen
Born: July 23, 1981 in Masku, Finland
Lives: Masku, Finland
Height: 1.85m
Weight: 78kg
Turned pro: 2000
Current ATP ranking: 15
Career high ranking: 13 (July 2006)
Prizemoney: US$2.69 million
