Defending Champ Haas Exits at ATP Los AngelesPosted on July 28, 2005 No. 4 seed and defending champion Tommy Haas, playing in his first event since dropping out of Wimbledon after stepping on a ball and twisting his ankle, was upset 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 Wednesday by Belgian Xavier Malisse in second-round play at the ATP stop in Los Angeles.
"I felt physically pretty good actually, to be honest," Haas said. "I played a really good set of flawless tennis on my side. Second set I played one weak game, made a few easy mistakes, and got the break. That always helps and motivates the opponent a little bit...Third set came around and he played a really solid game to go up 3-2 in the third...When you're playing top level and you don't make you opponent play, you don't really have a chance to win, and therefor don't really deserve it either." Joining the Belgian with quarterfinals berths were (2) Dominik Hrbaty (d. Hernych), and un-seeds Juan Ignacio Chela of Argentine (d. Tursunov from a set down), and Brazilian Ricardo Mello (d. (Q) Hadad). "(Hernych) is a tough opponent," The Dominator said. "I lost to him in three sets (the last time we played). He plays a lot of angles and cross-court strokes, I was prepared for that." In doubles highlights the top-seeded defending champ Bryan brothers advanced (d. Mello/Muller, bagel in the first) while No. 2-seeded Aussies Arthurs/Hanley were ousted in three sets by the American wildcard team of Leach/MacPhie. Scheduled for Thursday are (WC) Goldstein vs. Paradorn "The Thai Fighter" Srichaphan, (1) Agassi vs. K.Kim in an all-American, (Q) Fleishman vs. Muller, and the all-American nightcap in Robby "Baby Courier" Ginepri vs. (WC) Blake. |
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