Tennis Update: Atlanta in full swing to host the Atlanta Tennis Championships after 2001, Andy Roddick the favourite
American fans are surely getting the most out of the much anticipated Atlanta Tennis Championships after a long time. They were particularly happy to see America’s No. 1 Andy Roddick play on the courts here in Georgia. He has teamed up with 49th ranked Florida boy Mardy Fish, to make some news in the championships.
This event that has great importance for the people of Atlanta, is taking place for the first time after 2001. Professional tennis ended in Atlanta after the main organizers at of the event at Indianapolis went bankrupt.
It was Atlanta where Andy Roddick scored his first successful career ATP title in 2001. The tournament back then was played on green clay. This time however it is being played on hard court. World No. 9 Roddick is the top seed in these Championships. These championships being played as a preamble to the US Open started off with some great matches. Roddick in his doubles tie beat Teymuraz Gabashvili and Michal Przysiezny in straight sets by 6-2 6-4. Last time Fish and Roddick teamed up was in March 2009 at BNP Paribas Open, where they took the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title.
In another draw American Robby Ginepari marched to the second round after beating Nick Lindahl, the Australian qualifier by 7-6(4), 6-2. Ginepari who hails from Kennesaw, seemed a little bit shaky in the beginning but returned in the game after 3-all. His best results for the season were at Roland Garros, where he reached fourth round after which he made an exit losing to Djokovic. He defeated Sam Querrey and Juan Carlos Ferrero to reach the fourth round. Ginepari will be facing his fellow American Mardy Fish in the next round. He has a record of 3-1 against Fish.
Georgian wild card entrant, Donald Young forced Israeli Dudi Sela to exit in the first round. After losing some points initially, Young recovered to take the first set by 7-5. In the second set, Young played with his full flow, didn’t allow Sela to score even a game, and ensured his victory by 6-0. Young was a finalist this Sunday Aptos Challenger. Young will be playing South African Kevin Anderson for a spot in the quarter finals. Anderson reached the second rounds after staging an upset against the Serbian 5th seeded Janko Tipsarevic.
Another meeting of the two Americans was between Taylor Dent and James Blake. Playing this season after finishing in the top 100 in 2009, 94th ranked Dent delivered enough faults for Blake to take advantage of. However, Blake couldn’t manage to convert more than two breaking points. The next tie for Dent is a challenging one when he plays Horacio Zeballos, the 4th seeded Argentinean.
Argentinean 7th seeded Xavier Malisse scored a win over the American qualifier Ryan Sweeting. Malisse scored this victory in one and a quarter hour taking the sets by 7-6(1) 6-3. Last time when the Atlanta Tennis event was featured in the ATP World Tour in 2001, Malisse was the runner up to Roddick. Malisse will play Ukrainian Illya Marchenko in the second round who came forward after beating Belgian Kristof Vliegen 6-4 7-6(4).
All eyes are set on what seems to be fixed on Andy Roddick. who is returning after a long break. His first tie is with fellow countrymen Rajeev Ram. Roddick is a wild card entry into the championships. Roddicks record of 26-4 for 2010 is the leading score for ATP till now on hard surface. Already winning titles for this season in Masters 1000 Miami and then in Brisbane eyes are affixed on Roddick.
In the hot season of Johns Creek, the Championships promise some thrilling matches. Atlanta that was once considered the home of tennis professional players in the U.S.A relies heavily on the success of this event for the revival of professional tennis in here.
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