- Noam Okun
-
Noam Okun 
Country 
IsraelResidence Haifa, Israel Born April 16, 1978
Haifa, IsraelHeight 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) Turned pro 1996 Plays Right-handed (one-handed backhand) Career prize money $678,406 Singles Career record 35–53 Career titles 0 Highest ranking 95 (April 22, 2002) Grand Slam results Australian Open 1st (2000,2002) French Open DNP Wimbledon 1st (2002,2005) US Open 2nd (2002,2006) Doubles Career record 1–4 Career titles 0 Highest ranking 182 (November 24, 2003) Last updated on: January 21, 2007. Noam Okun (born April 16, 1978, in Haifa, Israel) is a professional tennis player.
In 2002, Okun reached a career-high singles ranking of # 95 in the world. Okun has won several challenger tournaments in his career, and has been a consistent competitor on the ATP tour, often qualifying for major Grand Slam events.
He, Harel Levy, and Dudi Sela have been Israel's top singles players over the past few years. Okun trained at the Israel Tennis Centers.[1]
Contents
Early life
Okun was born in Haifa, Israel. He is Jewish.[2][3]
Tennis career
Okun began playing tennis at age nine, and was selected to be part of the Israeli Tennis Federation program after a short course at school.
Okun turned pro in 1999, at the age of 21.
In 2000, Okun qualified for the Australian Open, where he lost to hometown favorite Mark Philippoussis in a five-set thriller, 4–6, 2–6, 6–2, 6–3, 2–6. This was Okun's grand slam debut.
In March 2002 Okun upset Albert Portas of Spain, ranked # 26 in the world, 7–6(4), 6–4, in Scottsdale. In July 2002 he upset Sjeng Schalken of the Netherlands, ranked # 23 in the world, 7–6(5), 7–6(4), in Los Angeles. Okun qualified into the 2002 US Open, and lost to world # 1 and defending champion Lleyton Hewitt of Australia, 6–7(7), 4–6, 1–6 in the second round.
In August 2003 Okun upset Martin Verkerk of the Netherlands, ranked # 15 in the world, 3–6, 6–3, 6–1, in Cincinnati.
In August 2004, Okun won his first title in Binghamton, New York, beating Danai Udomchoke 6–3, 4–6, 6–1 for the title.
In June 2005, Okun qualified for Wimbledon, and lost to Gaël Monfils 6–3 4–6 4–6 6–7(14) in the first round. In September 2005, Okun qualified for the US Open and lost to Mariano Puerta 6–7(4), 7–6(3), 4–6, 0–6 in the first round.
In September 2006, Okun qualified for the US Open, and beat Potito Starace 6–2, 6–0, 4–6, 6–2 in the first round. Okun went down to Łukasz Kubot in the second round, 6–7(7), 4–6, 6–2, 6–2, 4–6.
In July 2007, Okun won his second challenger title in Winnetka, Illinois, beating South Africa's Kevin Anderson 6–4, 6–3 in the final.
Davis Cup
Okun has been a major force on the Israeli Davis Cup team, playing for it in 1999 and since 2001, going 16–13, and winning both of his matches in Israel's 2006 3–2 victory over Great Britain.[4] His Davis Cup record also includes big wins in live rubbers over Wayne Ferreira, Jarkko Nieminen, and Andreas Seppi.
See also
References
- ^ "ITC Champions". Web.archive.org. June 29, 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20070629162054/http://www.tennis.org.il/EItcChampions.html. Retrieved September 7, 2011.
- ^ Levi, Joshua, "Israeli star trains at Maccabi courts," The Australian Jewish News," 1/10/08, accessed 6/4/09
- ^ Davis, Carin (August 15, 2002). "Up Front". Jewish Journal. http://www.jewishjournal.com/up_front/article/serving_jewish_pride_in_la_20020816/. Retrieved January 9, 2011.
- ^ http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:TYO-Lz2cG-8J:www.daviscup.com/teams/player.asp%3Fplayer%3D10007911+%22noam+okun%22+israel&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=5&gl=us
External links
Categories:- 1978 births
- Living people
- Israeli male tennis players
- Jewish tennis players
- People from Haifa
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