Wednesday 6th December 2006
Vladimir urges himself on
by Annie Paton
Crandon Park was a buzz, talking about the hotly contested battle between Vladimir Zinyakov and American wild card, Adam El Mihdawy. It could hardly have been closer in the three hours of suspenseful and thrilling tennis, with the Russian, who has a striking resemblance to his idol, Marat Safin, finally winning it 6-7(4); 7-6(3); 6-4.

After the last ball was struck Vladimir lay down on the court for several minutes, unable to move. His coach beckoned him to leave all his belongings on the court and go inside.

"My opponent played very well, but I played the whole match feeling a bit dizzy," said Vladimir, as he walked back to the clubhouse. "I could not play my very best tennis, but still I played a great match and I am very happy."

The tall Russian had a reason for his dizziness. "Yesterday I had stomach pain from eating the Chicken Caesar salad, so I will not be eating here again," he said half joking. "The chicken almost killed me."

Vladimir laid on the couch in the player's lounge for a couple of hours but he told us he felt no better and needed to see a doctor. We hope he is able to return to the court tomorrow so that we can watch him play against another intense and passionate player, Nicolas Santos (1). It should be the match to watch.

Urszula Radwanska (7) also had some discomfort during her girl's 18 second round match. She lost the first set 5-7 to Kristy Frilling (USA) but persistent back pain forced her to ask for the trainer. "Its been like this for a year when she started growing," said Urszula 's older sister, Agnieszka, who happened to be watching courtside. "Now she is taller than me."

With the pain alleviated after treatment, Urszula took control of the match to win, 5-7; 6-2; 6-1. Next Urszula meets Anastasia Pivovarova (RUS) the 11th seed.

Madison Brengle (12) (USA) also sat courtside to support her friend Kristy Frilling. She left after the first set and proceeded to win a quick 6-2; 6-0 victory over USTA Evert academy teammate, Gail Brodsky (USA).

"We play a lot but it's never like taken seriously so it's not like here," said Madison, playing Gail competitively for the first time since she lost to her in the 12s. "It's a little bit different training compared to a real competitive match. I knew what I had to do because she strikes the ball very well, but I don't know if I would have done so well if I hadn't practiced against her."

Meantime the new girl's 18 top seed Ksenia Milevskaya (2) erased two set points in the second set to outlast Kim Couts (USA) 6-1; 7-6(3). "She hits the ball pretty hard so I had to change," said the versatile Belarussian. "I had to hit slice and drop shots to change the rhythm and it worked."

In other boy's 18 action, American wild card, Wil Spencer followed his upset victory of the 6th seed, by defeating Ivan Endara (ECU), 6-3; 6-4. Wil is enjoying a renaissance in his game and appears to be enjoying himself on court. If anything, his composure unhinged his opponent, who had a run in with the chair umpire and was docked a point penalty. "I am looking at it like a game, which it is," said Wil about his new outlook. "I'm not taking it too seriously. Yes, I want to win extremely badly but if I lose a point, it's ok. I just correct what I did wrong and do better the next point and still have fun out there."

Earlier, Donald Young (2) beat the 2005 Orange Bowl boy's 16 finalist and fellow leftie, Stephane Piro (FRA), in a match that was closer than the score reflected. "The first set was close, yeah," Donald agreed. "I went up 4-2 with a break and I got lackadaisical and not really paying too much attention to it, but he started playing better and I started missing but that's what happens. It changes, so playing a junior match in a long time, you just got to get used to it."

Donald and Gastao Elias (16) will be the only seeded players to face each other in the boys' 18 third round Thursday. Meantime, qualifier, Jordan Rux was a surprise winner over Roberto Maytin (12) and when Pedro Zerbini (BRA) and Brennan Boyajian (USA) face each other tomorrow, it will guarantee a qualifier through to the boy's 18 singles quarterfinals.

The 16s lost more top seeds today. Allie Will (USA) stunned Valeria Solovieva (1) (RUS) earlier on stadium court in a calm and composed gritty battle. "It's exciting," said Allie about the win. "She's a good player, she's small but she's dynamite. She never gives up and even when I was up a set and 3-love, I was still feeling her into the match. It was a dogfight. I knew it was important to be intense and not show when you are getting down. I watched her play yesterday, she was down a set and 2-5 and everything started falling apart for the other girl."

Lauren Embree (USA), who upset the girl's 16 second seed yesterday, carried on with a 4-6; 6-3; 6-1 win over Tatiana Bua (ARG). The key to the match? "I played well but I kind of started playing a lot better towards the end and working the points," Lauren said. "I just kept fighting and eventually it came out my way."

Lastly, Guido Pella (ARG) upset boy's 16 second seed. Axel Michon (FRA) in straight sets, 6-4; 7-5.

Check back for more action from the 60th Orange Bowl.

Adam El Mihdawy


Gail Brodsky


Ksenia Milevskaya


Allie Will