Topic: ATP - Houston - US Men's Clay Court Championship - 7-15 April 2012

[conchita]

Lone Star State Hosts US Men's Clay Court Championship



The US Men's Clay Court Championship began in 1910 in Omaha with an idea of encouraging the establishment of more clay courts in the West. Since then, the tournament has been contested in numerous cities across the United States, before settling in its current location of Houston in 2001. It is the only ATP World Tour event in the U.S. contested on clay.

Name: US Men's Clay Court Championship
Category: ATP World Tour 250
Place: Houston, U.S.A.
Date: 09.04.2012-15.04.2012
Draw Size: S-28 D-16
Surface: Clay
Prize Money: $ 442,500
Total Financial Commitment: $ 500,000
http://www.mensclaycourt.com/

Fish Leads Houston Field
World No. 9 Mardy Fish will make his 10th appearance at the US Men's Clay Court Championship, where he won the 2006 title (d. Melzer). The American has a 6-14 record in ATP World Tour finals, with five of his titles coming on North American soil.

Isner In Confident Mood - World No. 11 John Isner makes his fifth appearance in Houston, where he reached the quarter-finals 2009 (l. to Odesnik) and 2011 (l. to Karlovic).

Lopez Aims For Consistency - Feliciano Lopez, who is at a career-high World No. 15, will look to kick start his 2012 ATP World Tour season on his Houston debut.

Monaco Eyes Clay Title - Juan Monaco, this year's Vina del Mar titlist (d. Berlocq), aims to lift his fifth ATP World Tour title. The Argentinean has a 157-91 tour-level record on clay courts.

Singles Players # Player W-L Best Finish
1 Mardy Fish (USA) 10-8 W-'06
2 John Isner (USA) 3-4 Q-'11,09
3 Feliciano Lopez (ESP) 0-0   
4 Juan Monaco (ARG) 2-2 Q-'07
5 Kevin Anderson (RSA) 1-2 R16-'10
6 Carlos Berlocq (ARG) 0-3 R32-'11,08,06
7 Alex Bogomolov Jr. (RUS) 1-2 R16-'04
8 Ivo Karlovic (CRO) 7-2 W-'07

Draw
(1)Fish, Mardy
Qualifier vs Gimeno-Traver, Daniel
Malisse, Xavier vs Kunitsyn, Igor
Harrison, Ryan vs (7) Bogomolov Jr., Alex
------------
(4) Monaco, Juan
Ito, Tatsuma vs Qualifier
Prodon, Eric vs Querrey, Sam
Souza, Joao vs (5) Anderson, Kevin
-----------------------------
(6) Berlocq, Carlos vs Blake, James
Phau, Bjorn vs Junqueira, Diego
Lorenzi, Paolo vs Odesnik, Wayne
(3) Lopez, Feliciano
------------
(8) Karlovic, Ivo vs Reynolds, Bobby
Sweeting, Ryan vs Qualifier
Qualifier vs Ungur, Adrian
(2) Isner, John

[conchita]

ORDER OF PLAY - MONDAY, APRIL 9, 2012

 Stadium Court start 12:00 pm
Qualifying - [4] Michael Russell (USA) vs Daniel Kosakowski (USA)
Qualifying - [1] Go Soeda (JPN) vs [5] Tommy Haas (GER)
 Michael Kohlman (GER) & Alexander Waske (GER) vs (WC) Robert Kendrick (USA) & Ryan Sweeting (USA)
 Not Before 6:00 pm
(6) Carlos Berlocq (ARG) vs James Blake (USA)
 Eric Prodon (FRA) vs Sam Querrey (USA)

 COURT 3 start 12:00 pm
Qualifying - [2] Horacio Zeballos (ARG) vs Jan Hernych (CZE)
Qualifying - [3] Ricardo Mello (BRA) vs Catalin-Ionut Gard (ROU)
Not Before 4 p.m.
Bjorn Phau (GER) vs Diego Junqueira (ARG)

[Babblelot]

Has to be the best field in recent years with Fish,  Isner, Lopez,  and Monaco.  Very impressive!

One note. Isner is playing Monte Carlo next week where he just finished DC. That's a lot of travel.  I'd pretty much count him out of MC if he goes far here.

[conchita]

yes, it is a very strong field compare to other editions. great to see this happening in America.

[conchita]

Monday

Singles, first round
Bjorn Phau (GER) d. Diego Junqueira (ARG) 6-1, 3-0 ret.
(6) Carlos Berlocq (ARG) d. James Blake (USA) 6-4, 2-6, 6-1, Blake seems as game over. sad.
Sam Querrey (USA) d. Eric Prodon (FRA) 6-1, 6-4
 
qualifying final round
[1] Go Soeda (JPN) def. [5] Tommy Haas (GER) walkover (right knee). sad. sad. sad.
[4] Michael Russell (USA) def. Daniel Kosakowski (USA) 6-4, 6-1
[3] Ricardo Mello (BRA) def. Catalin-Ionut Gard (ROU) 6-3, 6-3
[2] Horacio Zeballos (ARG) def. Jan Hernych (CZE) 67(3) 63 75
 
Doubles First Round
Michael Kohlman (GER) & Alexander Waske (GER) def.(WC) Robert Kendrick (USA) & Ryan Sweeting (USA) 16 62 10-7


Blake: 'I'm losing confidence too quickly'
James Blake falls to 0-3 on the year after a three-set loss to Carlos Bellocq at the U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championships in Houston. Blake has been contending with a knee injury. "It's never fun to lose,” the 32-year-old told the Houston Chronicle. "I feel like I'm in a bit of a cycle that I need to break. I'm losing confidence too quickly and not holding on to momentum."

[Babblelot]

Haas... pfft


I'm not checking Casablanca results because TC is actually and unbelievably televising it beginning tonight at 7p ET.

[conchita]

TC is broadcasting Casablanca instead of the night session in Houston? wow! just incredible! 

[Babblelot]

TC is broadcasting Casablanca instead of the night session in Houston? wow! just incredible! 

Yeah. It is crazy because TC will broadcast both Saturday and Sunday from Houston. 

[conchita]

ORDER OF PLAY - TUESDAY, APRIL 10, 2012

Stadium Court start 12:00 pm
 Xavier Malisse (BEL) vs Igor Kunitsyn (RUS)
 Carlos Berlocq (ARG) and Diego Junqueira (ARG) vs Ivo Karlovic (CRO) and Frank Moser (GER)
 [Q] Horacio Zeballos (ARG) vs Adrian Ungur (ROU)
Not Before 6:00 pm
 Ryan Sweeting (USA) vs [Q] Richardo Mello (BRA)
 [Q] Michael Russell vs Daniel Gimeno-Traver
 

COURT 3 start 12:00 pm
 Paolo Lorenzi (ITA) vs Wayne Odesnik (USA)
 Tatsuma Ito (JPN) vs [Q] Go Soeda (JPN)
Not Before 4 p.m.
 Alex Bogomolov Jr (RUS) and Scott Lipsky (USA) vs Philipp Marx (GER) and Lovro Zovko (CRO)

[conchita]

Tuesday

Singles - First Round
Ryan Sweeting (USA) def. [Q] Richardo Mello (BRA) 63 76(6) defending champion starting well!
Igor Kunitsyn (RUS) def. Xavier Malisse (BEL) 64, 62
Paolo Lorenzi (ITA) d Wayne Odesnik (USA) 67(3) 62 63
Tatsuma Ito (JPN) def. [Q] Go Soeda (JPN) 64 75
[Q] Horacio Zeballos (ARG) d Adrian Ungur (ROU) 63 63
[Q] Michael Russell def. Daniel Gimeno-Traver (ESP) 26, 75, 61

Doubles First Round
 
Ivo Karlovic (CRO) and Frank Moser (GER) d Carlos Berlocq (ARG) and Diego Junqueira (ARG) 63 63
Alex Bogomolov Jr (RUS) and Scott Lipsky (USA) d. Philipp Marx (GER) and Lovro Zovko (CRO) 76(0) 60

[conchita]

ORDER OF PLAY - WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11, 2012

Stadium Court start 12:00 pm
Joao Souza (BRA) vs [WC][5] Kevin Anderson (RSA)
Ryan Harrison (USA) vs [7] Alex Bogomolov Jr. (RUS)
James Blake (USA) & Sam Querrey (USA) vs Joao Souza (BRA) & Horacio Zeballos (ARG)
Not Before 6:00 pm
Paolo Lorenzi (ITA) vs [WC][3] Feliciano Lopez (ESP)
Martin Emmerich (GER) & Andreas Siljestrom (SWE) vs [2] Mark Knowles (BAH) & Xavier Malisse (BEL)

COURT 3 start 12:00 pm
[8] Ivo Karlovic (CRO) vs Bobby Reynolds (USA)
Tasuma Ito (JPN) & Go Soeda (JPN) vs Treat Conrad Huey (PHI) & Dominic Inglot (GBR)
[6] Carlos Berlocq (ARG) vs Bjorn Phau (GER)

COURT 7 start 3:00 pm
Jamie Delgado (GBR) & Ken Skupski (GBR) vs [4] Johan Brunstrom (SWE) & Dick Norman (BEL)
James Cerretani (USA) & John Paul Fruttero (USA) vs [WC] Bobby Reynolds (USA) and Michael Russell (USA)

[swish]

Harrison is showing some consistency, pretty impressive for 19 yr. old.
In the game now it's unusual to have a young player posting some good wins.
 
 
 
Teenager Ryan Harrison overcame seventh seed Alex Bogomolov Jr. 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in two hours and 18 minutes to win his opener. The 19-year-old American fired 13 aces and saved nine of the 11 break points he faced to win the pair’s first tour-level meeting.
Harrison won his first ATP World Tour match when he was 15 at the ATP World Tour 250 event four years ago. In the second round, Harrison faces Russia’s Igor Kunitsyn.

[Babblelot]

Sweet! Looks like a pretty good draw to start the tourney.

[hercules]

Harrison is showing some consistency, pretty impressive for 19 yr. old.
In the game now it's unusual to have a young player posting some good wins.
 
 
 
Teenager Ryan Harrison overcame seventh seed Alex Bogomolov Jr. 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in two hours and 18 minutes to win his opener. The 19-year-old American fired 13 aces and saved nine of the 11 break points he faced to win the pair’s first tour-level meeting.
Harrison won his first ATP World Tour match when he was 15 at the ATP World Tour 250 event four years ago. In the second round, Harrison faces Russia’s Igor Kunitsyn.



he is slowly getting better general swish. one has to admire his spirit.

i like his service motion. his serve will serve him well once he learns to move it well around the box. his lack of size will be a liability but he has to learn to play the cards that are dealt to him the best way he can.

[conchita]

Wednesday, April 11
 
Singles
FIRST ROUND
[WC][5] Kevin Anderson (RSA)d. Joao Souza (BRA)  63 64
Ryan Harrison (USA) d [7] Alex Bogomolov Jr. (RUS) 46 63 64
Bobby Reynolds (USA) d [8] Ivo Karlovic (CRO) 76(5) 26 63 upset!

SECOND ROUND
 [WC] [3] Feliciano Lopez (ESP) d Paolo Lorenzi (ITA) 64 76(4)
 [6] Carlos Berlocq (ARG) d Bjorn Phau (GER) 61 60
 
 
Doubles First Round
  Treat Conrad Huey (PHI) & Dominic Inglot (GBR) d Tasuma Ito (JPN) & Go Soeda (JPN) 64 76(6)
 James Blake (USA) & Sam Querrey (USA) d Joao Souza (BRA) & Horacio Zeballos (ARG) 26 76(10) 10-8
 [WC] Bobby Reynolds (USA) and Michael Russell (USA) d James Cerretani (USA) & John Paul Fruttero (USA) 63 63
 [4] Johan Brunstrom (SWE) & Dick Norman (BEL) d Jamie Delgado (GBR) & Ken Skupski (GBR) 64 67(6) 10-5
 [2] Mark Knowles (BAH) & Xavier Malisse (BEL) d Martin Emmerich (GER) & Andreas Siljestrom (SWE) 57 62 10-6

[conchita]

ORDER OF PLAY - THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2012
 Stadium Court start 12:00 pm
 [3] Michael Kohlmann (GER) & Alexander Waske (GER) vs Ivo Karlovic (CRO) & Frank Moser (GER)
 [4][WC] Juan Monaco (ARG) vs Tatsuma Ito (JPN)
Not Before 4:00 pm
[1] Mardy Fish (USA) vs [Q] Michael Russell (USA)
Not Before 6:00 pm
[Q] Horacio Zeballos (ARG) vs [2] John Isner (USA)
 Bobby Reynolds (USA) & Michael Russell (USA) vs [4] Johan Brunstrom (SWE) & Dick Norman (BEL)
 
Court 3 start 12:00 pm
 Sam Querrey (USA) vs [5][WC] Kevin Anderson (RSA)
 Bobby Reynolds (USA) vs Ryan Sweeting (USA)
 [1] Alex Bogomolov Jr (RUS) & Scott Lipsky (USA) vs James Blake (USA) & Sam Querrey (USA)
 Igor Kuntisyn (RUS) vs Ryan Harrison (USA)
 Treat Conrad Huey (PHI) & Dominic Inglot (GBR) vs [2] Mark Knowles (BAH) & Xavier Malisse (BEL)

[Babblelot]

 

Mardy got destroyed 6-3, 6-1 by Michael Russell

[conchita]

the sad story of Michael Russel , career record of injuries

Russell's father, too, not surprisingly, is an unabashed fan.

"He reminds me of Don Quixote … [tilting] at those windmills," said George Russell. "For every success, I can tell you, there's been hours on the couch with ice bags on his knees. After the third knee operation, most people would have thrown up their hands and said, 'I'm star-crossed, I can't do it.' But Michael has persevered. That's why he's our hero."

 interesting article from 2007, http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/usopen07/news/story?id=2978555

Practicing with in-his-prime, 14-time Grand Slam champion Pete Sampras as a 17-year-old at the Saddlebrook Tennis Academy in Florida.
 • Holding match point against three-time (and eventual) champion Gustavo Kuerten in the fourth round of the 2001 French Open.
 • Leading Lleyton Hewitt, two sets to love, on center court in the first round of the 2007 Australian Open.
 • Hitting balls with the U.S. Davis Cup team in the Czech Republic in February.
 • Facing No. 1-ranked Roger Federer three months later in the first round of the French Open.

"Russell was playing in the River Oaks tournament in Houston in April 2004 when he met his soon-to-be wife, Liliana Justo, at the restaurant she manages, Vito's. The marriage is set for Nov. 10, after the season ends, at the Houston Hilton Galleria. With financial support from his parents and Justo, who clears $80,000 at the restaurant, Russell worked himself back into competitive condition".
 

[swish]

the sad story of Michael Russel , career record of injuries

Russell's father, too, not surprisingly, is an unabashed fan.

"He reminds me of Don Quixote … [tilting] at those windmills," said George Russell. "For every success, I can tell you, there's been hours on the couch with ice bags on his knees. After the third knee operation, most people would have thrown up their hands and said, 'I'm star-crossed, I can't do it.' But Michael has persevered. That's why he's our hero."

 interesting article from 2007, http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/usopen07/news/story?id=2978555

Practicing with in-his-prime, 14-time Grand Slam champion Pete Sampras as a 17-year-old at the Saddlebrook Tennis Academy in Florida.
 • Holding match point against three-time (and eventual) champion Gustavo Kuerten in the fourth round of the 2001 French Open.
 • Leading Lleyton Hewitt, two sets to love, on center court in the first round of the 2007 Australian Open.
 • Hitting balls with the U.S. Davis Cup team in the Czech Republic in February.
 • Facing No. 1-ranked Roger Federer three months later in the first round of the French Open.

"Russell was playing in the River Oaks tournament in Houston in April 2004 when he met his soon-to-be wife, Liliana Justo, at the restaurant she manages, Vito's. The marriage is set for Nov. 10, after the season ends, at the Houston Hilton Galleria. With financial support from his parents and Justo, who clears $80,000 at the restaurant, Russell worked himself back into competitive condition".

 
Maybe this year he'll get a few good wins and a title.
 

[conchita]

Thursday, April 12
 
Singles Second Round
[Q] Michael Russell (USA) d. [1] Mardy Fish (USA) 63 61! big upset!!!!!!
[2] John Isner (USA) d. [Q] Horacio Zeballos (ARG) 67(3) 64 62
[4][WC] Juan Monaco (ARG) d Tatsuma Ito (JPN) 63 63
[5][WC] Kevin Anderson (RSA) d Sam Querrey (USA) 76(3) 36 76(2) epic match! Querrey losing another close match
Ryan Harrison (USA) d. Igor Kunitsyn (RUS) 62 64 nice win for Harrison
Ryan Sweeting (USA) d. Bobby Reynolds (USA) 63 62, defending champion doing well
 
Doubles Quarterfinals
all four seeded teams out!!!!
James Blake (USA) & Sam Querrey (USA) d. [1] Alex Bogomolov (RUS) & Scott Lipsky (USA) 63 63
Treat Conrad Huey (PHI) & Dominic Inglot (GBR) d. [2] Mark Knowles (BAH) & Xavier Malisse (BEL) 36 64 108
Ivo Karlovic (CRO) & Frank Moser (GER) d [3] Michael Kohlmann (GER) & Alexander Waske (GER) 75 75
[WC] Bobby Reynolds (USA) & Michael Russell (USA) d. [4] Johan Brunstrom (SWE) & Dick Norman (BEL) 63 62