Caught in the heat wave that has gripped much of the nation, the Atlanta quarterfinals were played today. Andy Roddick played a rematch of his very first final, coincidentally in Atlanta when he won his first final as a wildcard over Xavier Malisse. Roddick played Malisse again (as a wildcard, but number 1 seed) and again won, but it did take three sets to do it: 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Then, two tall guys. Big John Isner had a pretty easy time beating fellow American, Michael Russell: 6-1, 6-2.
Kevin Anderson, who is like 6’8″, had a little tougher time, winning over Lukas Lacko. Anderson apparently has played and beaten Donald Young three times this year. The two are ranked near 100, so they often meet at the Challenger level. Anderson did beat Young in Atlanta in the previous round. The final score: 6-3, 6-4.
Although Tennis Channel could be covering the Mardy Fish-Taylor Dent match live, they aren’t (what, not cover two Americans, and cover a South African and a Slovakian instead?). Mardy Fish is up 5-3 over Taylor Dent and serving for the match.
In Hamburg, organizers must be a little bummed out that none of the semifinalists, save Jurgen Melzer, is seeded. The semifinalists are Melzer (the third seed), Mayer, Seppi, and Golubev. Melzer is the third seed. Today, sixth seeded Ferrero lost to Mayer and seventh seeded Bellucci lost to Seppi.