JULY 28–A robust crowd at CitiOpen was treated to a long day of compelling three set matches and the inauguration of the new Grandstand Court. Robert Farah won the first match on the new court over racquet-abusing Paul Capdeville 6-4, 2-6, 6-4. Later, on ‘Grandstand 1’, veteran Jesse Levine ended the ATP CitiOpen bid for Michigan’s Evan King 4 and 4.
The Univeristy of Virginia faithful invaded the stands shortly afterwards and were punished for their flash mobbery, watching in horror as Cavalier Mitchell Frank lost a nail-biting three setter to Michael Berrer and fellow Wahoo Jarmere Jenkins was narrowly defeated in two.
Veteran Robby Ginepri won in retirement over Wayne Odesnik, Florent Serra defeated Ricardo Mello, Marco Chiudenelli took out Tim Smyczek in three, Michael Russell, who is seemingly at every single ATP event, sometimes simultaneously, perservered past Mischa Zverev in full sets.
Today was the final qualifying round for the WTA and Jana Cepelova, Michelle Larcher de Brito, Jennifer Elie and Aravane Rezai won their way into the main draw. The most intriguing womens match up was the one I sat through, naturally. It pitted 3 seed Jana Cepelova against 5 seed Alison Riske. The match swung back and forth, with Cepelova patiently waiting for errors by Riske. In the end, Cepelova’s patience paid off as Riske was uncharacteristically error prone today.
Tomorrow, fans will see main draw WTA play and final qualifying for the men.
–S. Fogleman
Tennis Atlantic 
Return Serve?