Upstart American and U.S. Open Qualifier Ryan Harrison Ousts 15th-Seeded Ljubicic
September 1, 2010 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Ryan Harrison from Bradenton, Fla. has eliminated 15th-seeded Ivan Ljubicic of Croatia Wednesday afternoon in 2010 U.S. Open action from Court 11 of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, 6-3, 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-4. Ljubicic, a French Open semifinalist in 2006, was sent packing by the 18-year-old Harrison, who qualified for the 2010 U.S. Open just last Friday with a comeback win over Ricardo Hocevar of Brazil, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Harrison is the first American male teen to defeat a top 20 seed at a major tournament since the 2001 U.S. Open when a then 19-year-old Andy Roddick defeated the 11th seed Alex Corretja.
In a day filled with American players on the men’s and women’s side in action, Harrison’s victory follows a battle of fellow USA countrymen as 20th-seeded Sam Querrey defeated Bradley Klahn, 6-3, 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 in other afternoon action at Louis Armstrong Stadium. Other Americans set to hit the court in singles action on Wednesday include the third-seeded Venus Williams who will face Canadian Rebecca Martino in evening action; the number nine seed Andy Roddick who will face Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium; Vania King who will be matched against the 24 seed, Daniela Hantuchova of Serbia; last year’s U.S Open Cinderella story Melanie Oudin who faces 29th-seeded Alona Bondarenko of the Ukraine; the number 18 seed John Isner who will face Frederico Gil of Portugal; and Donald Young who will face Gilles Simon of France.
