TENNIS
ATP CHALLENGER
by SAMUEL DARROCH
THE field is set for the Traralgon ATP Challenger main draw today after an intense weekend of qualifying saw local David Hough just miss the cut.
Hough pushed countryman Paul Kramberger, who went on to lose to eventual qualifier Bumpei Sato, in Saturday’s opening round, forcing a tiebreaker in the first set before dropping the match 7-6(3) 6-4.
Sato, Sean Berman, Brendon Moore and Richard Yang emerged from the field of 15 to break in to the 32-man Challenger, where the foursome will face fearsome competition.
Berman faces second seed James Duckworth, while Japanese entry Sato squares off against Aussie Adam Feeney, who believes the championship race is wide open.
“Everyone that’s playing has got a chance to win the tournament,” he said.
“I probably haven’t played fantastic over the last couple of weeks, so I’ve got a bit of improving to do but in saying that you’ve got to give yourself a chance.”
The Sydneysider tipped top seed Bradley Klahn as the favourite, closely followed by Australian Duckworth.
“He (Klahn) is a quality player, 120 in the world and on a bit of a run in the states so he’s always going to be a big threat,” he said.
No stranger to Traralgon, having played events in the township prior to the tennis surface overhaul, Feeney said he was excited to be back for the high profile $50,000 Challenger.
“It’s always good to come back, I think last time I came out the courts weren’t blue so it’s a bit different for me,” he said.
“It’s a great complex and a good town, everyone gets behind it and hopefully with this big event even more so.”
Another player with fond memories of Traralgon tournaments is former Wimbledon and Australian Open junior champion Luke Saville, who previously recorded a runner-up finish at the centre’s flagship ITF Junior International.
Saville, who tackles Frenchman Jonathan Dasnieres de Veigy in round one, said he was rapt to return.
“It’s great to be back, I have great memories here I’ve always played well,” Saville said.
“Now for a Challenger which is nice for more points, a bigger tournament, better atmosphere so I’m really looking forward to a tough opponent.
“It’s going to be very tough, Challengers… attract a very strong field from around the world… I’m going to go out there and try my best; I’m really looking for a few wins this week.”
Saville will use the tournament to set himself up for the summer in an attempt to surge from his current world ranking, which sits around the 400 mark.
Three singles matches will headline today’s order of play, which will also feature four doubles matches.
Greg Jones’ withdrawal due to injury will see Jose Statham enter the competition, while Chanchai Sookton-Eng joins the fray as a lucky loser in qualifying.
To stay up to date with the Traralgon Challenger visit
www.atpworldtour.com or get over to the Traralgon Tennis complex at the corner of Franklin and Davidson streets.
Competition runs through to Sunday.
