Jenkins and Russell Qualify in Houston. Delic and Kendrick Eliminated in Singles and Doubles
Scoville Jenkins took out Donald Young 6-4, 6-4 to get a berth in main singles draw. Donald Young won just 58% of his first serve points and 52% of his second serve points. While Jenkins did win 80% of his first serve points, he will need to address the fact that he lost 14 of his 24 second serve points when he takes on Alexander Peya in the first round.
Alexander Peya defeated American Jesse Levine today, but Levine became a Lucky non-Qualifier and will get a berth in the main draw. Levine gets the open spot by virtue of his higher ranking (#129) vs. Delic (#148) and Young (#161). Levine will face #4 seed Jeremy Chardy in the first round. (UPDATE: Delic became a second Lucky nonQ)
Michael Russell continued his impressive 2009 qualifying record by defeating Krajinovic 6-1, 6-2.
But Russell will now face Wildcard American John Isner in the first round. Russell’s returning well this week and could be a threat to Isner.
Robert Kendrick was down a set quickly to #1 seed Jurgen Melzer 1-6, as Melzer had a quick start returning Kendrick’s 1st and 2nd serves effectively. Kendrick was broken when serving for the second set at 5-4 and again as he attempted to stay in the match at 5-6. With a low 54% win ratio on first serve points and even lower 36% on second server points, the slower clay court appeared to work toward Melzer’s advantage today.
While Amer Delic was able to still use his serve to his advantage with 67% of 1st serve points and 48% of second serve points won, Delic was unable to convert on any of the 9 break point opportunities, while Lapentti was able to convert 1 of 2 in the first set and 1 of 4 in the second.
Lapentti eliminated Delic, 6-3, 7-5
Unfortunately for Kendrick and Delic, they later faced James Blake and Mardy Fish in the doubles draw and lost a tight match 6-4, 4-6, 7-10.
In other doubles action, John Isner and Travis Parrott defeated fellow American’s Sam Querrey and David Martin 6-2, 6-3.
Tuesday, April 7, Action in Houston:
STADIUM COURT – 12 p.m. Start
Tommy Haas (GER) vs. Denis Gremelmayr (GER)
(2) Mardy Fish (USA) vs. Bjorn Phau (GER)
Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) vs. (7) Diego Junqueira (ARG)
Not Before 6 p.m.
(1) James Blake (USA) vs. Guillermo Canas (ARG)
(1) Bob Bryan (USA) / Mike Bryan (USA) vs. Jeremy Chardy (FRA) / Brian Dabul (ARG)
COURT 3 – 10 a.m. Start
(WC) John Isner (USA) vs. (Q) Michael Russell (USA)
(4) Stephen Huss (AUS) / Ross Hutchins (GBR) vs. James Cerretani (USA) / Dick Norman (BEL)
(6) Marcel Granollers (ESP) vs. Brian Dabul (ARG)
(4) Jeremy Chardy (FRA) vs. (LL) Jesse Levine (USA)
(5) Sam Querrey (USA) vs. Paul Capdeville (CHI)
(WC) Taylor Dent vs. Marcos Daniel (BRA)
COURT 7 – 10 a.m. Start
Sergio Roitman (ARG) vs. Agustin Calleri (ARG)
(Q) Alexander Peya (AUT) vs. (Q) Scoville Jenkins (USA)
Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (ESP) vs. (Q) Giovanni Lapentti (ECU)
Jaroslav Levinsky (CZE) / Pavel Vizner (CZE) vs. Maximo Gonzalez (ARG) / Sergio Roitman (ARG)
Jurgen Melzer (AUT) / Alexander Peya (AUT) vs. (2) Ashley Fisher (AUS) / Jordan Kerr (AUS)
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