Results - Saturday, August 8, 2009

Harrison beats Tomic in battle of up-and-coming teens

by Jeffrey Dunham

Qualifying action got underway at 9 AM on Saturday at the Levene, Gouldin, & Thompson Tennis Challenger. With temperatures in the mid 70’s and conditions slightly overcast, several spectators remarked that it was a perfect day for tennis. Qualifying rounds are often the busiest and most energetic part of the tournament, with action occurring simultaneously on four courts for much of the first day.

Local favorite William Mendler served and volleyed with his usual precision in a 4-6, 2-6 loss to Great Britain’s Ken Skupski. Mendler ably demonstrated how little difference there really is between a touring pro and a talented local player with significant teaching and tournament experience. Players at the collegiate level were also well-represented. Cornell’s Jonathan Jaklitsch, the winner of this year’s BTC Clay Court Championships, won a round before falling to Laurynas Grigelis of Lithuania. Incidentally, Skupski is being coached by none other than Paul Annacone, former coach of both Pete Sampras and Tim Henman. Annacone is currently the British Lawn Tennis Association’s head coach of men’s tennis, part of a multi-year agreement in which he is contracted to help develop young British talent.

Among the rising stars in this year’s qualifying draw, perhaps none hold as much promise as American Ryan Harrison and Australian Bernard Tomic. Harrison, 17, easily defeated Craig Schwartz by using combinations of inside-out and down-the-line forehands, running Schwartz all around the court. He then took on Tomic, who had a first round bye, and proceeded to out-steady his dangerously flat-hitting opponent, absorbing all of the pace that Tomic easily produced with his lanky 6’4” frame. Harrison’s match with Schwartz perhaps served as a warm-up for the much tougher task of defeating Tomic.

This year’s number 4 seed, 2006 Australian Open finalist Marcos Baghdatis, has advanced to the final of the Odlum Brown Vancouver Open tomorrow. A native of Cyprus, the 24 year old Baghdatis has been ranked as high as number 8. Currently number 136, Baghdatis is adding to the star power of the LG&T this year as he continues his comeback from injury.

The final round of singles qualifying begins at 10 AM on Sunday with match play on three courts. Doubles qualifying will follow, not to begin before 1 PM. The Pro-Am will take place from 4-6 PM.