Michael McClune, who won the National Championship last month, won his first Futures event today, beating compatriot Tim Smyczek 6-4, 6-2. He dropped only one set in the tournament. In the process, he defeated U.S. Junior Open champion Ricardas Berkankis 6-4, 6-2.
This is his second consecutive good week. Last week he lost in the semis to Carsten Ball, who he beat 6-2, 6-1 this time around.
McClune will face Donald Young in the second round of the Sacramento Challenger after beating Christopher Lam 6-1, 6-1. This will be a good measuring stick for him. Young beat McClune 7-6(3), 6-1 in the QF of the 2006 National Championship. The winner will probably face Querrey in the QF. McClune has never been beyond the second round of a Challenger, of which he's played four (excluding this one).
Since winning his first pro title a few weeks back, he's lost in the QF and SF of two Futures events, both times to compatriot Nikita Kryvonos.
I found this article that briefly discusses the Young-McClune match from last week. It sounds like the two are pretty supportive of each other. I like to see that.
Querrey, Young and McClune are considered potential top-10 players. McClune said Young "can go all the way (to No. 1). He has the talent, skill and game."
Young is only one month older than McClune but has far more experience. Young turned pro at 14 -- perhaps unprecedented for a male player -- and McClune did so in April.
Thursday, in the first meeting between the two players as pros and second overall (Young is 2-0), the 6-foot-2 McClune displayed more power, but the 5-9 Young was steadier.
"He's a big guy with a big serve and forehand," Young said. "I hope he's the guy with me winning matches (in the future)."
McClune won his second pro title today by defeating Carsten Ball 6-7(0), 6-4, 6-3 in USA F26 Futures. So that's two wins in his last four Futures with QF and SF appearances sandwiched between the two wins.
I love a good service motion. Thank goodness for YouTube, somebody uploaded some videos of Michael at USO last year and I really like what I see. I hope I'll get to see some more of him soon.
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