Wicked Backhand» Guillermo Cañas

Cañas: No Dope

Kelly — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 15:02:28 +0000

Cañas has won the first successful appeal in the history of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The Swiss Federal Tribunal has ordered a new review of the doping case against Cañas.

In 2005 Cañas was at his peak, ranked #8 in the world, when he tested positively for a masking agent. At an ATP tournament, Cañas was given cold medicine by a doctor affiliated with the tournament. He then tested positive for a diuretic that had been banned because it can be used to cloak the presence of other drugs. The diuretic, hydrochlorothiazide, was traced to the cold medicine prescribed by the tournament physician.

Even though Cañas took the diuretic accidentally, CAS arbitrators declared that he was responsible for knowing the ingredients in his medication. According to Cañas’ friend and agent Michael Ducote, “He didn’t sleep for 15 months. He taught himself English so that he could understand the [legal] documents. He wants people to look in his eyes and see he didn’t do it, and stop saying bad things about him. He didn’t want to cheat and he didn’t need to cheat.”

The World Anti-Doping Agency may even revise its code because some member organizations feel the existing process is unfair or impractical. This decision comes at a high point in Cañas’ career, he beat Roger Federer twice this month and is soaring up the rankings.

Cañas Can Do

Kelly — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 03:56:29 +0000

In men’s semifinals action, Andy Murray of Scotland battles Novak Djokovic of Serbia, both 19 years old and improving steadily. Djokovic beat Murray in the Indian Wells semifinals, but Murray’s talents are considerable.

Also promising is the second men’s semifinal, Ivan Ljubicic of Croatia versus Guillermo Cañas of Argentina. Having fought the world’s top player and dominated him twice in a row, Cañas is obviously on fire right now, but Ljubicic holds seven career titles (including a victory over Murray at Doha in February).

Amazing tennis matches still to come in balmy Key Biscayne…

Cañas Beats Federer Again

Kelly — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 23:44:58 +0000

Yes, Guillermo Cañas has done it again! In an epic match, Cañas upset world number one and top seed Roger Federer for the second time this month yesterday (7-6 (2), 2-6, 7-6 (5)). Two weeks ago, Cañas beat Federer at Indian Wells, abruptly ending Federer’s infamous winning streak. This second win proves conclusively that his victory at Indian Wells was no fluke. The Argentine has just recently rejoined the tour, he had been suspended for 15 months on doping charges. Next Cañas faces Spain’s Tommy Robredo, here’s hoping for a fascinating match.

Federer: He’s Only Human After All

Kelly — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 02:10:38 +0000

Just when tennis fans were beginning to believe that Federer might have fathered the WiiBot, Roger faltered. In the men’s upset of the year, Guillermo Cañas of Argentina defeated Roger Federer in two sets in the second round of Indian Wells (7-5, 6-2). Cañas was impressive where Federer was immobile. Currently ranked 60th in the world, Cañas capitalized on Federer’s unusual propensity for errors to defeat him soundly (39-8 errors).

Is Federer disappointed that he didn’t break Vila’s record for longest winning streak? It seems he actually enjoys the rare defeat now and again.

It’s just a guy put me away when he had to. He played a perfect match in the end. He didn’t give me anymore chances. I was just playing too poorly in the end to come back. So the right guy won. I’m a very positive thinker, and I think it’s going to be good for me eventually this season. I’ve had a very relaxed opening to the season… just playing the Australian Open and Dubai and having enough time to rest. So I definitely won’t be worn out towards the end of the season. That’s a good thing. Over the last one-and-a-half years, I’ve been in all the finals except Cincinnati and now here. I was just pushing the limits all the time. So something like this is actually maybe good for me, (I can) just get away from it, have time to rest up again, and practice real hard before Miami.”
– Roger Federer

As for Cañas, he lost the next round to Carlos Moya (6-4, 6-4). At least he can enjoy the infamy of having cut short Federer’s winning streak.