NEW YORK, 19 July 2006 — Top seed Patty Schnyder of Switzerland opened the defense of her Cincinnati Open crown yesterday with a shaky 5-7, 6-2, 7-6 comeback win over American Lilia Osterloh.
The Swiss trailed 4-1 in the third set and faced a match point before rallying to claim victory in the tie-break 7-1.
Osterloh opened her US hard court season in blistering style by breaking the world No. 8 on her opening two serves on her way to taking the first set. But Schnyder, who has not won a title since her victory in Cincinnati a year ago, dominated the 108th-ranked American in the second to level the contest.
In other first-round action, fourth seed Katarina Srebotnik of Slovenia was handed a walkover when Hungary’s Melinda Czink was forced out with a shoulder strain.
Finland’s Emma Laine breezed past Austria’s Sybille Bammer 6-3, 6-1 while Amy Frazier prevailed in an all-American showdown over wildcard Jessica Kirkland 6-3, 6-4.
Former world No. 1 Serena Williams makes her long awaited return yesterday following a lengthy injury layoff.
American Teenager Querrey Advances in Indianapolis
American teenager Sam Querrey battled to a 6-4, 6-7, 6-4 win over Serb Janko Tipsarevic in the first round of the Indianapolis RCA Championships on Monday.
The 18-year-old Querrey, winner of two entry-level Challenger titles on cement in 2006, continued his steady improvement after reaching the second round on grass in Newport, Rhode Island last week.
Querrey, ranked 200th in the world, said he was struggling to adjust to the searing heat at an event where his compatriots James Blake and Andy Roddick are the top two seeds.
“I’m getting wild cards and I hope to make the most of them” he told reporters.
“I’m doing what I can to help American tennis.” Americans are hoping to show their hardcourt form after none of them reached the second week of Wimbledon.
With all 16 seeds given first-round byes, other winners on opening day included American Jeff Morrison, who defeated Santiago Gonzalez of Mexico 6-2, 6-2.
Chile’s Paul Capdeville crushed German Tomas Behrend 6-2, 6-0 and Alejandro Falla of Colombia ousted Frenchman Jean-Christophe Faurel 6-4, 6-2.
Thailand’s Danai Udomchoke, entered along with compatriot Paradorn Srichaphan, started with victory over Czech Tomas Cakl 6-2, 6-2.
Henin-Hardenne Could Boycott Fed Cup Final
In Brussels, triple French Open champion Justine Henin-Hardenne could boycott Belgium’s Fed Cup final against Italy in a row sparked by her withdrawal from the semifinal, her coach Carlos Rodriguez said yesterday.
Henin-Hardene pulled out of the semifinal win against the United States last weekend complaining of fatigue following her run to the Wimbledon final, where she was beaten by France’s Amelie Mauresmo. “It’s out of the question, at this moment, that Justine is going to take part in the final,” said Rodriguez in a letter sent to the Belga press agency.
Belgium beat the USA 4-1 in Ostend and will face Italy in the final on Sept. 16-17 at Charleroi. “It’s inconceivable that she’ll rejoin the team in September having been rejected in July,” said Rodriguez.
Henin-Hardenne is angry that the Belgian tennis federation objected to her supporting the team from the sidelines in Ostend because they feared a hostile response from the crowd over her decision not to play in the tie.
“I think it shows a lack of respect for what Justine has done for Belgian tennis,” added a furious Rodriguez.
