Seed Watch at Nat'l Clay Courts
Top Seeds in Action at USTA Men's 45 Clay Court Championships
Apr 21, 2008
Val Wilder Opens Title Defense
The top seeds slid into action at the USTA National Men's 45 Clay Court Championship at the Lauderdale Tennis Club, and generally speaking things held true to form. Val Wilder (1), playing out of Fort Worth, TX, successfully began the defense of his 2007 title. He got some work in his 6-, 6-4 win over Ben Anderson of Boca Raton, FL, and isn’t likely to have much trouble Against Arup Dutta of Boynton Beach, FL, a 6-1, 7-5 winner over Mike Beedle of Lake Forest, IL.
Egan Adams on Form
Palmetto Florida’s Egan Adams (2) looked to be in even better form than Wilder, moving past Oliver Stenger of Fort Myers 6-2, 6-1. Adams appears to be a safe bet to reach the round of 16 without too much trouble, but is likely to have a fair test with lefty Peter Markes (12) of Austin, TX, who was a 6-1, 6-4 winner over Pete Lashmet of Indianapolis, IN. However, Markes could be tested by Bradley Watkins of Columbia, SC, who is ranked No.3 in the USTA’s Mid Atlantic section.
Michael Rose has Good Start
Michael Rose (3) of Ecorse, MI had no worries with George Kramer of Rocky Hill, CT, easing through with a 6-1, 6-3 victory, and should make it past Thomas Quesenbery of Fredericksburg, VA as well. He’s heading toward a match-up with either Norm Schellenger (10) of Miami Beach, FL or Max King of Addison, TX. Schellenger seemingly back on his game, took out Mark Koide of Morristown, NJ 6-3, 6-0, and King cruised to a 6-2, 6-0 close after dropping the first set 4-6 to Tom Annear of Miami, FL
Mike Fedderly Serves up a Bagel
No.4 seed Mike Fedderly of Palm Desert, CA didn’t drop a game in his win over Tom Fowkes of Hallendale Beach, FL, and isn’t likely to drop many against Keith Soanes of North Miami, FL. Chances are Fedderly will face off in the round of 16 against Charlton Eagle of Delray Beach, FL. Eagle, one of several former ATP players in the very deep draw, dropped a 6-2, 6-4 “upset” on Tres Cushing (12) of Colleyville, TX
Ned Caswell Kicks Kozlov to Curb
Ned Caswell (5) of Chattanooga, TN moved on without much struggle in a 6-4, 6-0 victory over the infamous Vitaly Kozlov of Culver City, CA, but faces Florida’s 2007 State Champion, Ervin Mendel in round three. Sixth seed Pablo Arraya of Key Biscayne, FL withdrew, and Horacio Rearte (7) of Boca Raton, FL sailed through to the third round with a 6-1, 6-1 win over Tom Roth of Pompano Beach, FL.
Predicting Horacio Rearte & Oliver Kraut
Rearte is a good bet to beat Spencer Gray of Woolwich, ME in round three and will likely face Oliver Kraut of Jacksonville Beach, FL in round four. The unseeded Kraut is coming off a finals appearance at the Jacksonville Clay Court Championships and has a good shot at upsetting No.13 seed William Pilardi of McMurray, PA. Kraut should give Rearte a good battle if he gets past Pilardi.
Looking Forward to Jeff Cark & Al Cannon
Eighth-seed Jeff Clark of Lancaster, PA looked sharp in his 6-2, 6-3 victory over Danny Darnell of Bowling Green, KY and looks to be headed for a showdown with Al Cannon of Greenville, SC, who, my tourney insider assures me, will upend No.16 seed Al Hernandez of Yardley, PA. Cannon played the match of the day with 2007 National Public Parks finalist, Dave Smith of Cresskill, NJ, edging Smith 6-2, 2-6, 7-5. Clark still has to get past Greg Wheaton of Boca Raton, FL, but chances are good that he will.
Coulton Faces Ernstrom Challenge
R. Thomas Coulton (9) of Hilton Head, SC should have his hands full with Eric Ernstrom of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, who has only dropped seven games in his first two matches. Ernstrom is also coming off a title win in the Jacksonville Clay Court Championships. With Arraya’s withdrawal opening up the draw, should Coulton get past Ernstrom, he is probably in line for a quarterfinal joust with Wilder.
Clermont & Wagner Bow out
As suggested in the tournament preview, Gary Clermont (14) of Fort Lauderdale, FL and Mark Wagner (5) of Oldsmar, FL, two of Florida’s top-ranked Men’s 45 players, were feeling the effects of their strong showings in the Category II national event in Baton Rouge, LA. Clermont fell to Stephen Bucar of West Palm Beach, FL, 4-6, 3-6, and Wagner let match point slip away in a 6-4, 5-7, 4-6 loss to Bryan Sauer of Boothwyn, PA.
General Preview
Overall, the top seeds should do well in round three with only an upset or two in the making. Regardless of the fate of the seeded players, the on-court fighting will be fierce in Fort Lauderdale, so don't miss the opportunity to see some of the best senior tennis in the country at Lauderdale Tennis Club.
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