Qualifier Upsets Enqvist
Swede falls in three sets
Little-known Belgian qualifier Kristof Vliegen upset former champion Thomas Enqvist to claim his first victory at ATP level at the AAPT Championships in Adelaide Tuesday. Vliegen, who returned a 20-10 match record at the Challenger level last year, rallied from a set down to beat the Swedish veteran, a winner of 19 ATP singles titles, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3. Vliegen, 20, has an ATP Entry Ranking of 164.
Enqvist was disappointed to lose but pleased to come through a three-set match for the first time since the US Open. Enqvist ended the 2002 season with a shoulder injury.
Second seed Max Mirnyi advanced to the second round with a 7-6(5), 6-2 win over Italian Stefano Galvani. The Belarussian maintained his composure through three rain delays. Rain again play havoc with scheduling, with three first-round singles matches postponed to Wednesday.
WHAT THE PLAYERS SAID
Mirnyi: "The weather's more like in England in the summer playing at Wimbledon - rain delays happen often. But here they're pretty unusual conditions, but I'm satisfied to get the win today. We came out three times before we finished the match so it made me feel more comfortable with the wind. Three or four years ago, I would have been more frustrated with the conditions, I would have been much more uptight and not known what to do. Today I felt I was utilizing my serve well in the conditions."
Enqvist: "I haven't played three sets since the US Open so it will be interesting to see how the shoulder feels tomorrow. I need to play a lot of tennis, a lot of matches. I've only been able to play an hour a day for the last week. But obviously I'm very disappointed to lose in the first round. Physically I'm in very good shape. I love playing in Australia."
Vliegen: "This is the first time I've come to Australia. I knew he was injured in his shoulder. It isn't that easy to come back, first match, in the wind and conditions not that good. I had already played three [qualifying] matches over here, in windy conditions. For me, it's really the best day of my life in my tennis career."