Indianapolis (Indiana), July 24: Second seed Paradorn Srichaphan fended off two match points in the second set before sending amateur Amer Delic packing 6-7 (5/7), 7-6 (7/3), 6-1 in a second round match at the 600,000-dollar ATP hardcourt tournament here yesterday. The 11th-ranked Paradorn was extremely impressed with the lightning fast serve of Delic, the recent US collegiate singles champion, who consistently hit speeds of over 130 mph with his serve during the one hour, 52 minute match.
"His serve is huge," Paradorn said after waltzing through the third set. "He played great, great tennis. His serve is just unbelievable."
Paradorn, serving, was looking the beaten man when the 582nd-ranked wildcard recipient held a 7-6 (7/5), 6-5, 15-40 lead and two match points to score the upset.
Delic, who has not yet decided whether he will return to the University of Illinois for his senior year, clearly lacked the experience and nerves to handle the occasion. The possibility of reaching the third round ended on two backhand errors and from there the young American's game unraveled.
Paradorn won the first five games of the final set before Delic momentarily settled down to hold serve in the sixth game at love.
"This was my first professional tournament and I was happy I gave myself an opportunity to win against Paradorn Srichaphan," Delic said. "I hope I have more opportunities to do well. He stepped it up and when the big points were big, he did what he needed to."
Bureau Report