KBCC, Day 2

by TW Contributing Writer, Lance Harke

Well I wish I could report on the goings-on inside the swank and super-hot LIV nightclub on Miami Beach last night, where all our favorite tennis stars mingled into the dawn at an official Sony-Ericsson player party.  I opted instead for a concert by veteran rocker Todd Rundgren, who put on a furious heavy metal triple-guitar attack that has rendered me nearly deaf.  I couldn't hear a yellow ball bounce right now if it was bouncing against my ears.  Could Rundgren's audience be aging faster than he is?

On to a few interesting matches yesterday that I took in with local tennis pro Tom Karlson.

First up, Yuki Bhambri, the 16-year old 2008 boy's junior Orange Bowl champ (as well as Nick Bollettieri’s latest and big time protégé), who lost to Diego Junqueira in two sets. Although it's hard to call this a "critical" stage of Bhambri’s blooming tennis career, it was his first real test against a well seasoned ATP pro.  Yuki had a few chances to break Junqueira, but he was still too nervous to do so, and unable to do much against the onslaught of heavy and deep forehands that Diego produced.  Once Yuki develops a bigger serve, and continues to move forward behind his Djokovic-like forehand, he will surely be in the mix on the ATP Tour.

 On to Robert Kendrick, who, according to his coach and brother (they were sitting directly in front of us), had one of the biggest wins of his career against the crafty French workhorse Arnaud Clement.  Kendrick, behind his booming serve, huge forehand, and deep volleys took out Clement 6-3, 7-6.  Kendrick fought back from a break down in the second set to make it 4-4.  From there, both players held serve and Kendrick took advantage of some scratchy play by Clement in the tie-break to win it on his second match point. 

I was actually a bit surprised - and impressed - with Kendrick’s  ability to exchange forehands with Arnaud “the human backboard”  Clement!  The draw actually doesn’t look too bad for Kendrick who will now take on Soderling in the 2nd round.  Both have huge serves and forehands, but I think the talented and better-late-than-never Kendrick is better at the net and will frustrate the mentally fragile Swede.

Finally --speaking of aging veterans -- American Kevin Kim advanced when Michael Llodra retired yesterday.  Ordinarily this would be good news, except his next opponent is that guy who's pretty good, what's his name -- oh yeah, Roger Federer.

Matches I plan to stop by for today --  Muller v. Querrey; young Ryan Sweeting against Massu;  qualifier Bobby Reynolds in action against Argentinean fan favorite Chela; and Mauresmo partnered with Kuznetsova in doubles action.

You can follow my "tweets" on what I see here.  

And, as alway, discuss today's matches in the Comments below to your heart's content.