With the early round loss of Fernando Verdasco by Jeremy Chardy, the remaining Americans at the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships in Memphis increased their chances of taking home the title and much needed 500 ranking points. In fact with a lack of top ten players in the event, this could be the best chance for them to boost their rankings this spring.
Tonight defending champion Andy Roddick survived a tight three setter against friend James Blake 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (3) after Roddick was up a break in the third set but lost it right back before winning the breaker.
But with Roddick still dealing with a lingering shoulder issue, don’t be surprised if Roddick isn’t able to last the whole event. He may have to face fellow American Sam Querrey in the quarterfinals. Roddick barely beat Querrey in the semifinals of the San Jose event and I expect Querrey is ready for a rematch. Meanwhile John Isner, who’s now the American No. 2, got past Jarkko Nieminen 6-7(3,) 6-4 6-4 and has a good shot to find himself in the final.
Meanwhile on the women’s side, a potential U.S. Open rematch could take place between the top seed Maria Sharapova, who won her first match of the year against Shenay Perry, and rising American star Melanie Oudin who is the no. 2 seed at the event. Oudin continues her good form after reaching the semis of the Open GDF Suez event in Paris. Hard to tell yet if both women will make it to the finals but I’m sure both would relish the chance at playing each other to see how good they really are going into Indian Wells next month.
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