2011 Sony Ericsson Open: Ryan Harrison awarded wild card
World number 130 Ryan Harrison of USA received a wild card entry to the main draw of the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami.
The American has a 3-4 win/loss record in tour level matches this year. The 18-year-old displayed his best performance last week as he upset three top 50 players to reach the fourth round at the BNP Paribas Open, where he lost
to the Swiss Maestro, Roger Federer in a tough match 6-7(4), 3-6.
The American, a wild card entrant at the championship, defeated Jeremy Chardy of France in three thrilling sets 6-7(5), 7-6(2), 6-3 in the opening round. He upset Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, ranked 25th at that time, in
straight sets 6-3, 7-6(4) in the second round. In the third round, the right handed defeated another wild card entrant, Milos Raonic of Canada in three sets 7-6(1), 4-6, 6-4.
After winning the match against Raonic, Harrison said, “He's played a lot of matches where he's just looked at the guy that serves huge and plays big and doesn't really have much to lose right now”
The American added, “The fact that I have been beaten him a couple times [in juniors] and the fact that we're somewhat similar in age and I'm younger than him also helped me a little bit.”
Harrison began the season at the Brisbane International, where he succeeded in qualifying for the main draw by defeating Jurgen Zopp of Estonia in the final round of the qualifying draw. However, the American could not go past
first round as he was beaten by Robin Soderling of Sweden 2-6, 4-6 in the opening round.
The right handed lost to Adrian Mannarino of France in straight sets 4-6, 3-6, 4-6 in the first round at the Australian Open. After the opening grand slam of the year, Harrison featured in Honolulu Challenger. He won the title,
beating Alex Kuznetsov of USA in three sets 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 in the final.
The American failed to qualify for the main draw of Regions Morgan Keegan Championship, as he lost to Bjorn Phau of Germany 5-7, 6-3, 3-6 in the first round of the qualifying draw. In his next tournament, Harrison lost to Florent
Serra of France in three sets 6-3, 3-6, 5-7 in the first round at the Delray Beach International Tennis Championships.
The 6 feet tall participated at the Dallas Challenger in Texas following week. He was beaten by Alex Kuznetsov of USA in straight sets 6-7(5), 3-6 in the quarterfinals.
This will be Harrison’s third appearance at the Sony Ericsson Open. He was thrashed by Michael Llodra of France 2-6, 2-6 in the opening round last year. The American should perform better this year as he is in good form. He is
coming to the championship with high morale after his impressive results at the BNP Paribas Open last week.
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