Jason Zimmermann of Cincinnati sets up to hit a return during his match with Alberto Martin at the ATP Tennis Center in Mason. (Ernest Coleman photo) | ZOOM |

        The excitement of playing on the Stadium Court at the ATP Tennis Center in a Super 9 Tournament overwhelmed Jason Zimmermann, a Duke sophomore and 2001 graduate of Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy.

        “Do I just walk out, or what?” Zimmermann asked while waiting in the tunnel prior to the 1:30 p.m. match.

        Moments later, Zimmermann was playing Alberto Martin, the No. 1 seed and 56th-ranked player in the world who eliminated Pete Sampras from last year's Tennis Masters tournament.

        Although Zimmermann was broken to start the game, the 19-year-old calmed down and played consistent tennis before losing 7-6 (4), 6-0 in the qualifier of the Western & Southern Financial Group Masters Tournament.

        “I played well at times, and it's not uncommon for me to be broken early,” Zimmermann said. “After I broke him (Martin) at 2-3 in the first set, I gained so much confidence.”

        Zimmermann had one set point at 6-5 in the first, but Martin hit a winner down the line to make it deuce before forcing the tiebreaker. Martin took a 5-1 lead and went on to win 7-4.

        “He ran me the first set, and all I could do was retrieve balls,” Zimmermann said. “It's tough for a guy like Martin playing someone they don't know. I know what to expect in college, but this was much different.”

        Zimmermann will return for his sophomore year at Duke. “I learned today that I need to get stronger and quicker,” Zimmermann said.

        WITTEN BACK TO UK: There's some good news for the University of Kentucky men's tennis team.

        After losing to Mark Philippoussis 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, 19-year-old sophomore Jesse Witten, the NCAA runner-up this season, announced he will return to college next year rather than turn professional.

        “I've been playing a lot and losing in three-set matches,” Witten said. “I beat a top-200 player and lost to No. 180. Today's match told me I'm not quite ready, but we'll see how it goes the rest of the summer.”

        Witten appeared on the verge of a major upset over the No. 57-ranked Philippoussis, but the former top-10 player rallied for the three-set victory.

        “This is my first qualifier in a long time, and I came out flat,” Philippoussis said. “Obviously, he (Witten) made a lot of shots and serves in the first set. I came back in the second and third.”

        Ranked No. 11 in the world in 2000, Philippoussis served between 117 and 133 mph, which gave Witten problems.

        “One or two guys in college hit hard, but nothing like today,” Witten said.

        PUENTES OUSTED: Rey Puentes, the Thomas E. Price Metropolitan champion, was no match for fellow American, Robby Ginepri, the No. 12 qualifier seed and No. 124-ranked player in the world. In straight sets, Ginepri overwhelmed Puentes, 6-0, 6-0.

        “I didn't find out until 11:30 p.m. last night (Friday), which made this a difficult situation,” Puentes said. “I've only hit three times since the Met and came in with no conditioning or weightlifting.”

        SURPRISES: Overall, seven of the 16 seeded players were upset, including Cecil Mamiit (14), Alex Kim (15), Radek Stepanek (6), Martin Verkerk (6), Kristian Pless (7), Michael Llodra (8) and Kenneth Carlsen (13).

        Play resumes at 10 a.m. today with eight qualifying matches. The winners earn a spot in the main draw, which begins Monday.

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