Day Shift News From the Challenger

We had a chance to see some fantastic matches today. First match on Court 5 started with Kevin Kim v Matwe Middlekoop. They set the tone for the day with some intense tennis starting off with a three setter. Kim eventually won 6-3, 3-6, 6-3. On a side note, he was voted as one of the two "ball kid" killers when one of his serves left a 3" welt on the leg of one of the ball girls.

Next up on Court 5 was Somdev Devvarman v Travis Rettenmaier. This was a very fun match to watch, especially as Devvarman's footwork was just amazing- he moved like lightning. Two of the ball kids were impressed that he did everything their coach had been telling them they should be doing. Andrea, one of the ball girls was excited when Travis spoke to her. It was a highlight of her day.

Next on Court 5 was the Zack Fleishman v Giovanni Lapentti. Lapentti won this match after a 1st set tie break.

The last match of the day shift was Phillip Simmonds v. Dusan Vemic- unfortunately, we left before the match was over so we aren't able to report much.

On Court 3 the action was just as fast paced. The first match of the day was Van Der Merwe (qualifier) v Ball. Ball won 7-5, 6-3. The next match was Russell v. Dancevic. Russell won 6-2, 6-2.

Moving later into the day, visitors were treated to hometown favorite Bobby Reynolds vs Luis Flores. The first set was solid but the second set was a true show of tennis playing passion and ability as they played multiple deuce points and then a 7 set tie break.

The final match on Court 3 for the day shift was another 3 setter between Jesse Levine and Tim Smyczek. While we weren't able to see the end of the match the first two sets showed a true slug fest between two very hard hitting Americans (this ball mom has the bruises to prove it!).

More from the day shift tomorrow.