Yesterday at the Legg Mason Classic in Washington, D.C., we saw a bulk of matches held up due to rain delays. Despite the delays, play was eventually resumed in each of the scheduled matches of the day. First was the number four seed Jurgen Melzer of Austria going up against young American Donald Young in a battle of the lefties. Melzer was able to take the first set in a tie-breaker, but Young, who usually is not one to make a comeback in a match, did just that. Young rallied to take the second set before the match was suspended in the third set due to rain. During the delay, Young was informed that Melzer had retired citing a pulled left leg muscle, giving Young the match, 6-7(8), 6-4, 3-1 (ret.)
Advancing to the third round, Young will meet fellow American Michael Russell, who, like Young, won by his opponent retiring. Russell took on the 14th seed Xavier Malisse of Belgium. Citing a right arm injury, Malisse retired in the second set giving Russell the match, 7-6(4), 2-3 (ret.) Young and Russell met just two tournaments ago in Atlanta where Russell dominated Young, 6-0, 6-3. This time around, you can expect a better showing from Young as he looks to advance to the Legg Mason quarterfinals.
Other notable names to come through on Wednesday were Spain’s Fernando Verdasco, Russia’s Nikolay Davydenko, Serbia’s Viktor Troicki, and Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic, all in straight sets. Because of the rain delays, tournament officials announced that play would begin at noon on Thursday, four hours ahead of schedule, in order to keep all the matches for Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday on schedule.
2011 Legg Mason Match Results (Wednesday, August 3)
►Viktor Troicki (SER) defeated Ryan Harrison, 7-5, 6-2
►Fernando Verdasco (ESP) defeated Marinko Matosevic (AUS), 6-4, 6-4
►Nikolay Davydenko (RUS) defeated Matthew Ebden (AUS), 6-3, 7-5
►Donald Young (USA) defeated Jurgen Melzer (AUT), 6-7(8), 6-4, 3-1 (retired)
►Michael Russell (USA) defeated Xavier Malisse (BEL), 7-6(4), 2-3 ret.
