Haas hopeful that shoulder will let him keep playing tennis
16.07.08 04:24
German Tommy Haas advanced in his first match Tuesday at the Indianapolis Tennis Championships, then said he will stay on in the game for as long as his delicate shoulder will allow, dpa reported.
The fifth seed, who reached the semi-finals at the US Open run-up event in 2002, defeated US youngster Jesse Levine 7-6 (7/4), 6-2.
"It's been a tough year," said the 30-year-old, who underwent more shoulder surgery last autumn, then made his 2008 comeback too early.
"I came back too early since I wanted to know how the shoulder would feel. I had to quit in the hard-court season, didn't play the clay. I only started again after the spring on grass. I've really only played two events since Miami (in March)."
Haas, who reached the Wimbledon third round, said that he will soldier on in the game for as long as he feels fit.
"I've been out for a few years here and there. If I'm feeling fit, I can do some damage," he said. "If the shoulder plays up again, and I start to struggle, we'll have to see."
Haas plays his second-round match on Wednesday, taking on another US young gun in big server John Isner, who beat Robert Kendrick 7-5, 6-4.
