University of Tennessee Athletics
Chang Falls at USTA / UT Challenger
November 15, 2001 | Men's Tennis
Nov. 15, 2001
Michael Chang was defeated Thursday night at the USTA/UT Challenger being held at the Goodfriend Indoor Tennis Center on the UT campus.
Chang, seeded No. 2 for the Knoxville event, fell in straight sets to fellow American Robby Ginepri.
Ginepri, ranked No. 256 in the world, had said earlier in the week that Chang was the guy he wanted. He got him. Ginepri came out firing on all cylinders, winning the first set quickly 6-2. Chang would come back, however, and forced the second set to a tiebreak. Chang would set himself up with a set point in the tiebreak, but could not capitalize. Ginepri would win the next three points to win the set and the match 6-2, 7-6(7).
Ginepri will continue on Friday in the second match after noon against No. 5 seed Cecil Mamiit.
Friday's featured matches No. 1 seed James Blake takes on fellow American Vincent Spadea at 5:30 p.m. No. 7 seed Noam Okun of Israel will take on qualifier Gabriel Trifu at 11 a.m.
Thursday's Results
Singles:
2nd round:
Gabriel Trifu (ROM) def. Kevin Kim (USA) 6-4, 6-3
Cecil Mamiit (USA) def. Jack Brasington (USA) 6-4, 6-3
Vincent Spadea (USA) def. Justin Bower (RSA) 7-6, 6-3
Noam Okun (ISR) def. Dmitry Tursonov (RUS) 6-4, 6-0
Jeff Morrison (USA) def. Mardy Fish (USA) 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-3
Jeff Salzentstein (USA) def. Andy Ram (ISR) 6-3, 6-4
James Blake (USA) def. Justin Gimelstob (USA) 6-3, 6-1
Robby Ginepri (USA) def. Michael Chang (USA) 6-2, 7-6(7)
Doubles:
1st round:
Mardy Fish/Jeff Morrison (USA) def. Eric Taino/David Wheaton (USA) 6-7, 6-4, 6-4
2nd round:
Stephen Huss/Paul Rosner (AUS/RSA) def. Brian Kokavec/Simon Larose (CAN) 7-6(6), 6-2
Justin Bower/Jack Waite (RSA/USA) def. Wesley Moodie/Shaun Rudman (RSA) 6-7(5), 6-3, 7-6(7)
