Querrey downs Bogomalov in first day action at U.S. Men's Clay Court Championship

By Robert H Kelly

Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography

 

Copyright 2014 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (April 7, 2014) Monday, April 7, 2014 action in the U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship at Houston’s River Oaks Country Club saw four wild card entries decided and four regular tournament matches contested.

The four wild card matches, which were postponed from Sunday, April 6 due to rain, were made up beginning at 12 noon.

Winning their wild card matches and advancing to the regular tournament were Robby Ginepri (USA), Peter Polansky (Canada), Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo (Spain), and Ruben Bemelmans (Belgium).

Ginepri dispatched Australia’s Thanasi Kokkinakis 7-5, 7-6 (6) while Polansky took down Thiemo De Bakker (The Netherlands) in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3.

Hidalgo needed three sets to top Zimbabwe’s Takanyi Garanganga 6-1, 5-7, 6-3.

Bemelmans also needed three sets to advance into the regular tournament, downing Ryan Harrison (USA) 6-1, 5-7, 7-6 (3).

In first round action, Germany’s Dustin Brown took just 49 minutes to down Rhyne Williams (USA) 6-1, 6-2.

Brown dominated with five aces and won 83% of his first serves (20-of-24) along with 50% (13-of-26) of first return points.

Jack Sock (USA) took a bit longer to send his opponent packing with a 6-1, 6-4, 55 minute win over Croatia’s Ivo Karlovic.

Karlovic was the number eight seed and the first seeded player to be eliminated in Houston.

In the 6 p.m. center court match, Sam Querrey (USA) survived a tough fought match against Alex Bogomalov, Jr., downing the 30-year old Russian 6-4, 7-6 (6).

In the post-match press conference, the 26-year-old from San Francisco, California was quoted.

“Right now, I’ll pretty much take a win however I can get it. The first time I kind of grinded trough a tough win like that all year. It feels really good and hopefully that can just lead to more wins and better play.”

Querrey evened his match history with Bogomalov to 2-2, having beaten him previously on grass in the first round of the 2012 Campbell’s Hall of Fame tennis Championships in Newport, Rhode Island by the score of 7-5, 7-6 (7).

Tuesday, April 8, 2014 matches will see No. 5 Feliciano Lopez of Spain facing Robby Ginepri (USA) and the No. 1 seeded doubles team of Bob and Mike Bryan (USA) playing Nicholas Monroe (USA) and Donald Young (USA

The doubles match will begin on center count at 6 p.m. followed by the Lopez-Ginepri match.