Midland Texas Invitational's Intriguing Field
Top Seeds Cruise at Racquet Club Invite:: mywesttexas.com
Events that aren't part of the ATP or Pro Circuit still can be interesting, and this one got my attention with its unusual mix of junior and professional players. (The preview story from yesterday gives a bit of background on the tournament).
None of the juniors won, unless you consider Michael Shabaz a junior; he is still eligible for USTA junior events until he turns 19 in August, but with a 1987 birth year, he's not eligible for ITF junior tournaments. He has been playing Futures events regularly, but hasn't yet made a decision on attending college, or at least he hadn't when I spoke with him at Carson, where he was training earlier this month.
Lazare Kukhalashvili, who actually played on the U.S. 14 and under team last year, but has recently been playing under the flag of his home country of Georgia, is only 15, while Michael McClune is 16 and Chekhov is 17. A tournament like this one gives them an opportunity to play older and presumably wiser competition, and perhaps with less pressure, because there are no points to worry about.
3 comments:
Very interesting...I noticed that Robert Yim was in that tournament...he hasn't played any pro tournaments in a long time...what has he been up to? Also what's up with Brian Baker...he hasn't played a tournament all year? And what ever happend with Scott Oudsema and his deal with Polo...he doesn't even wear their clothes any more..I saw him wearing Diadora?
I only know the answer to one of the three questions. Brian Baker had hip surgery and is hitting again, but is not yet ready to play.
Oh no, I don't like the sound of that. some peoplr think the open stance forehand has led to more hip injuries in the modern game.
Post a Comment