INTERNATIONALER RAIFFEISEN GRAND PRIX, MAY 18, 2003
Action Gets Underway in St Polten
Sanchez Upsets Local Favorite in Austria
The 10th edition of the Internationaler Raiffeisen Grand Prix began under
sunny skies and windy conditions. The tournament, which began back in 1994,
is being held for the tenth time this year as the world's best gather in St.
Poelten for another ATP event. This year, the N蔠Landessportschule complex
boasts several new practice courts that have greatly enhanced the facility
since its first edition in 1994.
Thomas Muster won that inaugural year, but today, Austria didn't have as much
good fortune as one of its two players in the main draw, Markus Hipfl, was
defeated by Spaniard David Sanchez 6-1, 6-0. Hipfl is 1-3 on the year in ATP
events with a first round win over Jose Acasuso in Valencia being his only
victory.
Two other singles matches were played on Sunday with Italy's Davide
Sanguinetti defeating Sargis Sargsian in two close sets and Jean-Rene Lisnard
defeating Switzerland's Michael Kratochvil, who was playing his first match
since late March at the NASDAQ-100 Open. Both matches were interrupted by a
brief driving rain, which then subsided and gave way to bright sun.
In doubles, Andy Roddick and Brian Vahaly opened play on Center Court this
year with a straight set win over Karol Beck and David Skoch. Vahaly and
Roddick are 2-0 on the year in doubles having played together at the
International Tennis Championships in Delray Beach, where Roddick withdrew
due to an ankle injury following their first round victory.
GUILLERMO CORIA WITHDRAWS
Diagnosed with a right groin injury following his Tennis Masters Hamburg
victory, Guillermo Coria withdrew from the Internationaler Raiffeisen Grand
Prix on Sunday and replaced in the St. Poelten draw by lucky loser Jens
Weinzierl of Germany.
WHAT THE PLAYERS SAID:
Hipfl: "It was a tough match to play David Sanchez in the first round, he's
been playing at a very high level all year on clay. The score was not
indicative of the match, I think alot of our games went to 30-all and deuce,
but he won the important points."
"Since the [shoulder] injury it's been really tough to come back, I haven't
played like I've wanted since coming back. It's been tough... but the shoulder
has been completely pain-free."
"I've got a protected ranking for another six tournaments. I am going to play
Challengers and train, train, train and then think about the future and what's
best."
Roddick: "I like playing doubles, it's great out there to work on your game."
Armando: "I'm really starting to pick it up. I finally have enough matches
under my belt to be competitive. I've always been someone who has felt
comfortable on the clay, so I like playing on this stuff maybe more than most
Americans."
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※ 編輯: esnique 來自: 61.230.103.119 (05/19 20:21)