Pat Rafter was pushed all the way before completing a 7-6(4), 7-6(1) victory in a thrilling final against John McEnroe at the ATP Champions Tour event in Delray Beach on Tuesday night.

Notes: Roger Federer withdraws at the last minute with a lung infection; the appearance-money-laden Dubai event feature five of the Top 10; openers of interest include (8) Simon vs. Baghdatis, (5) Tsonga vs. the hot-handed Llodra; Andy Roddick pulled out of the event with no reason given; that’s around a mil saved by the Dubai organizers with Federer’s withdrawal; Djokovic beat David Ferrer in last year’s final; Federer said, “I’m hoping to be back for Indian Wells. But of course there are no promises. This is something that with proper treatment will be finished. I’ve been taking it easy, relaxing as much as possible. My breathing is a bit difficult and everything feels a bit slow. I can’t take any chances until I’m fit again. It could be better, it could be worse.”

Shocker: Defending champ Andy Roddick pulling while still in the semis at Memphis, passing on defending his ranking points and collecting a hefty appearance fee. “They have all seemed to have legitimate injuries,” Colm McLoughlin, the managing director of Dubai Duty Free, told reporters on Saturday regarding players skipping out. “I have no concerns. We have heard that Roddick was on the start of a hernia. I didn’t hear any other reports.”

Delray Beach ITC
The independently-owned ATP event ramps up the promotions with the VolleyGirls, fans sitting in a Porsche on the court and more, and the brains behind the PR.
BY RICHARD VACH