Dish-Houston

It's getting heated here at the River Oaks Country Club! The U.S. Men's Clay Court Champoinships is full of drama as day two comes to a close.

We started out the day with 2004 double Olympic Gold Medalist Nicolas Massuplaying his heart out for a win after having to get through the qualies in Miami last week just to lose in the first round. He plays again tomorrow at Noon if you are coming out and want to see a part of tennis history live in person.  Massu made it to the finals here at the USMCC a few years ago only to have to retire due to injure in the 2nd.

Last year's winner Lleyton Hewitt and his double partner won their first match today as they should have since they have played together since they were juniors.

Speaking of junior, up am coming American Donald Young just lost his first clay match of the season to South African Kevin Anderson but had the best attitude knowing that he has plenty of clay ahead of him this year and hopes to break the top 50 soon.

The drama comes in with Taylor Dent finally coming back from a back injury and having to retire in his first round with groin injury. He didn't say if he was headed home to spend time with his new 10 week old sun but did have the most amazing perspective on his game and life in general..."If I got upset every time I was disappointed out there I'd never be happy."

The REAL drama is with American Wayne Odesnik. Once he touched down in Australia for the Aussie Open he was stopped while going through customs and a big ole Texas sized mess of Human Grown Hormone was found in his bag! He is playing here in Houston and the other players are NOT happy with his being here at all! 10 Days ago he pleaded guilty in an Australian court and that kicked off the International Tennis Federation investigation into the subject. The higher ranked players are the ones that are tested frequently, however Odesnik is only ranked 103 therefore has not been caught. Of course now there will be TONS of testing although he's had plenty of time to get the substance out of his system. American Mardy Fishwas due to play Wayne this evening but had to pull out also due to injury. Before his decision to not continue play today, Fish had this to say about Odesnik's being here.

“I’m the kind of guy who’s been around for a long time,” Fish told the Chronicle. “This is my 11^th year. I’ve seen a few guys come and go who have cheated and he seems to be no different. There’s no room for him. There is no gray area. He pleaded guilty. Any points and money he wins here are going to be gone anyway (if the ITF suspends him).

“It would be pretty awkward (for me) to play him here. He’s a pretty good clay court player. What you don’t know now is if any of that is real. It doesn’t seem to be. I’d have a serious beef if I were (Jerzy Janowicz, whom Odesnik defeated in the first round). And, if I were (Odesnik), I’d take myself out.”     

“I think there’s some kind of misunderstanding,” Janowicz said. “I think he shouldn’t play at this point. He for sure should be suspended. It’s a bad feeling when I know he shouldn’t play. It’s very tough to play with that kind of guy.”

Needless to say if you want to speak to Mr. Odesnik you have to go through his lawyer in Florida.  

Wednesday's schedule is looking good if the rain holds off.  Chela is taking on Schwank at Noon in the Stadium followed by Massu and Sweeting. Then the Bryan Brother's take over the Stadium at 3 pm to no doubt beat Damm and Polasek followed Hewitt and whomever wins today out of Niland and Devvarman!

Don't forget the Tootsie's Fashion show for the ladies! Hats, dresses, heals and beautiful men! Ah, it's spring in Houston!