Bad day for Americans as Querrey and Bryans crash
Originally published on: 26/02/10 11:52
In a parallel universe, one where Sam Querrey doesn’t sit on a glass table to tie his shoelaces in a Bangkok hotel and suffer a freak injury last September, the American No.2 is probably still in the Medibank International.
But back here, the reality is a second first-round exit in two weeks for the 2009 US Open Series champ after a 6-2 5-7 6-4 defeat at the hands of Evgeny Korolev in Sydney.
Querrey was also ousted in three sets by James Blake last week in Brisbane on his return from what was a potentially career-threatening episode, leaving him with just two defeats to his name from the past three months before next week’s Australian Open.
It is a fresh blow for the 21-year-old, who was enjoying the form of his life before the accident, in which he fell through the glass table, slashing his forearm so severely he required emergency surgery.
Mardy Fish will play Korolev in the next round after posting a 6-4 7-6(4) win over US-based Aussie Carsten Ball.
In Auckland, the Bryan brothers were left packing their bags early after a shock first round defeat at the Heineken Open.
The world No.1 duo were ousted 4-6 6-4 10-6 by Rogier Wassen of the Netherlands and Argentina’s Horacio Zeballos, a pair playing together for the first time.
The Americans showed glimpses of the form that saw them return to the top of the ATP rankings at the World Tour Finals in London last November, particularly at net.
But problems with their serving and an inspired performance from 33-year-old Wassen and 24-year-old Zeballos was too much on an off day.
The new partnership were aggressive from the off and served well throughout the match, leaving them in the hunt during the match tie-break.
Bob Bryan admitted afterwards that they were embarrassed to have lost so early in the draw, and that “pretty much everything” about their game was sub-standard.
In another blow to the tournament organisers, who yesterday saw the returning David Nalbandian withdraw with an abdominal strain, the Bryans are now planning on taking an early flight to Melbourne, ruling them out of a hotly anticipated music performance at the post-tournament party.
Now get the WORLD’S BEST TENNIS MAGAZINE here
