Sunday, July 11, 1999
Three men's seeds eliminated
BY DAVE SCHUTTE
Enquirer contributor
Three seeded men's singles players were eliminated during Saturday's action of the Thomas E. Price Metropolitan Tennis Tournament at Lunken Playfield.
The highest ranked player to fall was No.8 Matt Dektas losing to Chris Thatcher 6-3, 6-4 while No.15 Brandon Smith lost to Jason Pressel 6-1, 5-7, 6-2 and Brent Sitarski was eliminated by Jon DeCurtins 6-4, 6-1.
Four-time champion Jeff Wolf fought off Indian Hill junior Ryan McCarthy, prevailing 6-1, 6-4.
YEAGER FIT: A relaxed, confident and physically fit Jason Yeager, who competed in the Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon, appears ready to make a run at a second Met title.
He last won in 1992.
“I ran the marathon in 3:57,” said the No.3 seed after defeating Seth Tieger (6-4, 6-2). “I've continued training and I'm now moving great on the court and putting it all together.”
Yeager, 27, is playing doubles with Michael Hopkinson, who played at the University of Kentucky.
Hopkinson, 26, didn't enter the singles competition due to a lack of play the past month but is expected to compete next season.
“Unlike me, if Michael doesn't feel he's ready, he won't compete,” Yeager said. “He's quick as a cat and has a big-time return.”
FINE FRIENDS: When playing for the University of Tennessee (1982 graduate), No.7 seed Doug Corn roomed with three players who are now coaching ranked players.
“Paul Anacone is coaching Pete Sampras, and Mike DePalmar is with Boris Becker,” Corn said. “Joe Guiliano is the biggest surprise. He couldn't win a match but is now with Mirjana Lucic.”
An agent for Northwestern Mutual Life, the 40-year-old Corn, who defeated Jason Grannen 6-2, 6-3, doesn't regret not pursuing a professional coaching or playing career.
“It's a terrible lifestyle,” Corn said. “I played on the satellite tour for a year and it's not a good life.”
BEARCATS MEET: In another flawless performance, Robert Topalo defeated Adam Abel 6-2, 6-2 setting up a match with former University of Cincinnati teammate Matt Poulos, a 6-2, 6-0 winner over Chad Necaise.
“Matt and I alternated between No.1 and 2 singles at UC,” said the 22-year-old Topalo who's from the Czech Republic and will play at Michigan State next year.
The UC team was disbanded following the 1998 season.
A YEAR WISER: After learning what the Met was all about in 1998, Tracy Epperson came ready to play this year.
“I run four days a week,” said Epperson, a teaching professional at Queen City Racket Club. “I've noticed the difference and feel more comfortable this year.”
Seeded No.5, the 6-foot-6 Epperson defeated Keith Haigh 6-1, 6-3.
MET TO ATP: Paul Flory, Tournament Director of the ATP, was in attendance Saturday.
“We're holding a press conference on Monday,” Flory said. “We're going to announce two more women's players who will be playing in the mixed-doubles.”
A new feature this year is the mixed doubles that will be held during the Seniors Tournament with Zina Garrison, Pam Shriver, Kathy Rinaldi and Gigi Fernandez already commited to play.
“One of the two is a big name player,” Flory said.
Met tennis results, schedule
Sports Stories
INDIANS 11, REDS 10
Small Vizquel proves to be big-time player
REDS NOTEBOOK
Box, runs
Casey takes the world by the hands/b>
Astros 3, Royals 2
New Bengal arrested
What would you do with Pickens?
UC's Martin leads U.S. into semis
