Early Commitments

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/3638202.htmlBlake & Co. will be serving for a good cause

The U.S. Clay Court Championships at Westside Tennis Club on April 10-16 will be adding a philanthropic new wrinkle this year. The M.D. Anderson Cancer Center will be on the receiving end of hopefully significant contributions generated by the $380,000 ATP stop.

Tournament director and Westside owner Linda McIngvale gives James Blake credit for planting the idea's seed. Blake will donate every dime of prize money he earns here to stomach cancer research in honor of his father, who died of the disease in 2004. Westside will raise more money through pro-ams and other creative events. Former President Bush and wife, Barbara, figure to be involved in some capacity.

More details will be announced in the weeks ahead. Besides Blake, last year's finalists Andy Roddick and Sebastien Grosjean have committed to return, and it appears U.S. Open semifinalist Robby Ginepri will be back. McIngvale says she is making a determined run at Roger Federer, but he is playing Davis Cup for Switzerland the previous the week and the Masters Series Monte Carlo tournament follows Houston, so the world No. 1 remains the longest of long shots despite his happy memories of two Masters Cup titles in Houston.

Surely Tommy Haas will commit. He really likes this tournament.

Why do I get the feeling Murray will be lured there too... He seems to get lured to all the Amercian events!

No Andre Agassi this year sadly!

No Andre Agassi this year sadly!


How do you know this?

Andre has announed he will not play on clay at all this season, so I am assuming he will not be at Houston 2006.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/3687420.htmlComing up

Australian Open runner-up Marcos Baghdatis has committed to play in the U.S. Men's Clay Courts Championships on April 10-16.

The colorful Baghdatis, largely unknown when the season began, knocked off three top-10 players, including Andy Roddick, en route to the final in Melbourne before losing to Roger Federer.

Australian Open runner-up Marcos Baghdatis has committed to play in the U.S. Men's Clay Courts Championships on April 10-16.

The colorful Baghdatis, largely unknown when the season began, knocked off three top-10 players, including Andy Roddick, en route to the final in Melbourne before losing to Roger Federer.


If he's still playing like in Melbourne, Haas may be the only one who can beat him.

has anyone else commited??

I'd expect Mardy Fish and Vince Spadea to play here too.

Maybe Agassi might play just to please the US fans, and not play any other clay tourneys?

Maybe Agassi might play just to please the US fans, and not play any other clay tourneys?

:haha:

I'd expect Mardy Fish and Vince Spadea to play here too.

Maybe Agassi might play just to please the US fans, and not play any other clay tourneys?
If he wanted to please the US fans so much he would have played Las Vegas this week instead of taking the big money in Dubai :rolleyes: So I doubt it very much.

If he wanted to please the US fans so much he would have played Memphis this week instead of taking the big money in Dubai :rolleyes: So I doubt it very much.

You mean Las Vegas this week, but the $700 000 in Dubai is very therapuetic.

You mean Las Vegas this week, but the $700 000 in Dubai is very therapuetic.
Yes I did - I just went back in to edit it - you knew what I meant though didnt you? ;)

He likes Dubai, I don't see anything wrong with going there.

Then again, if it was Nalbandian or Gaudio missing their home event for cash reward, that's absolutely fine.

Entry List comes out tomorrow

Entry List comes out tomorrow


will someone post it??