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Not quitting yet Chang falls in opener, but vows to press on
NEW YORK (Reuters) -- Michael Chang's recent tennis revival ran out of steam on Monday when he slumped out of the first round of the U.S. Open 6-2, 6-4, 6-4 to Nicolas Lapentti. Two weeks ago Chang reached the semifinals at Washington before losing to eventual winner Andy Roddick, but had no answers against the Ecuadorean. Chang, the 1989 French Open champion and the 1996 U.S. Open runner-up, has played in more Grand Slam tournaments than any other player here -- the 2001 Open marking the 51st major of his career. "Obviously it is disappointing to lose here in the first round," said the 29-year-old. "You know, it wasn't an easy first round." The 26th-ranked Lapentti, 25, will next meet Davide Sanguinetti of Italy, a 6-4, 6-4, 6-1 winner over Thai Paradorn Srichaphan in his first-round match. Chang has plenty of great U.S. Open memories, including his run to the final against Pete Sampras in 1996, the pressure-packed five-set semifinal he lost to Stefan Edberg in 1992 and another trip to the Open semifinals in 1997, where he lost to eventual champion Patrick Rafter. Since '97, Chang had lost in the second round three years in a row, but coming off his Washington success, the diminutive American had high hopes for a strong showing at Flushing Meadows. "I had a good tournament in D.C. a couple weeks ago. I felt that was a really good stepping stone, you know, coming in here. "It's been my best tournament so far this year," said Chang, who has won only the 2000 Auckland title in the last three seasons. "That was some of the best tennis I felt like I played in a long time. "It's not an easy road back. It's a long road back." Yet Chang, now ranked 52nd, said he is not ready to give up the fight. "I feel like I'm still motivated to go out there and work hard. I'm trying to have a little bit more fun out there when I'm playing, you know, trying to be a little more relaxed. "When it comes down to it, I still love playing the game of tennis. I still enjoy coming out and competing, playing in the atmospheres that tournaments like the U.S. Open have. It's fun to be a part of."
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. |
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