Tommy boy

Haas wears emotions on sleeve in defeat of Sanchez

Tommy Haas managed to prevail despite committing 67 unforced errors. AP

NEW YORK (AP) -- Third-seeded Tommy Haas of Germany successfully defeated his nerves as well as David Sanchez of Spain on Wednesday to win his first-round U.S. Open match 7-6 (1), 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 7-5.

Three hours, 21 minutes after play began, Haas was at double match point. That's when his nerves took over.

Taking deep breaths between serves, Haas fired three consecutive double-faults, giving Sanchez the ad point and a chance to pull even once again.

"I got a little bit nervous," Haas said. "And my legs wouldn't push off."

Haas saved that break point with a smash, but he still needed four more points before he was able to stretch his arms skyward in triumph and grab a spot in the second round of the year's final Grand Slam tournament.

Although Haas has reached the semifinals of three of the four events he has played on the North American hard court circuit this summer, tennis has not been the German's priority.

In July, Haas' parents were seriously injured in a motorcycle crash in Florida. He withdrew from Wimbledon and was off the tour for six weeks. His parents are currently recuperating in Germany.

He also is suffering from tendinitis in his forearm.

Sanchez, who has never won a U.S. Open match and not even a set before Wednesday, took a 3-0 lead in the fifth set. But he was beginning to cramp and losing confidence.

"As a result of having cramps, I wasn't 100 per cent confident I would be able to pull out the match," Sanchez said through an interpreter.

Haas also was cramping, the reason, he said, for the problems with his serve.

The German sparked much debate Wednesday when he was asked to change shirts from a sleeveless one to a traditional one while warming up for his match.

The United States Tennis Association, defending the move, said: "Sleeveless shirts...are not considered 'customary' men's tennis attire, and Mr. Haas did not submit the shirt for approval in advance of his match.

"Therefore the tournament referee requested that Mr. Haas change his shirt, and Mr. Haas complied."

 

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