[Lisbeth]

I thought it would be nice to have a thread to say good luck to the Aussie boys in US Open qualifying.

As far as I can tell they are:

Peter Luczak
Chris Guccione
Mark Kimmich
Nathan Healey

Fingers crossed for a nice draw and some good results for each of them

 

[Lisbeth]

Updated to include Nathan Healey, who I forgot the first time

 

[Guest]

go gooch go

 

[Lisbeth]

The draw is out! You can see the whole thing at the US Open site, but there's good news and bad news. Another Aussie has sneaked in since I posted the list - congratulations Robert Smeets!

Nathan Healey has drawn the #1 seed, Robin Vik (CZE). Good luck anyway Nathan

Other Aussie first round draws are:

Luczak v 17 Vliegen (BEL)
Guccione v Kubot (POL)
Kimmich v 27 Patience (FRA)
Smeets v Squillari (ARG)

Let's hope some of the guys get through and all of them have a great experience!

 

[Murkofan]

Ooh, Luczak got Vliegen

I think he might lose

But good luck anyway!

Never heard of Smeets Is he and young up and comer?

 

[Lisbeth]

Apparently he's 19! From ITF:

SMEETS, Robert (AUS)

Birth Date 11/10/1985,
Birth Place Sliedrecht, Holland,
Residence Ipswich, Queensland, Australia,
Nationality Australia,
Weight 70kg
Plays Left Handed (Double Handed Backhand)
Favourite Surface Carpet
Coach Joe Smeets (father)
Age Started Tennis
Other Information Computer games and soccer
RANKING Race Rollover
Current Singles 234= 258
Current Doubles Not Available 269
Career High Singles 233 * (08 Aug 2005) 258 * (15 Aug 2005)
Career High Doubles 926 * (25 Aug 2003) 264 * (25 Jul 2005)
Singles Year End 477
Doubles Year End 442

 

[Murkofan]

Ah, born in Holland. Seems like there have been a lot of Aussie players born in other countires. Wasn't Iile originally born in Europe?

 

[Lisbeth]

Yes, Romania I think. Luczak was born in Poland too. Basically, there are just oodles of Australians born overseas (something like 1 in 3!) and some of them happen to be good at sport

 

[Lisbeth]

Here are the others

LUCZAK, Peter (AUS)

Birth Date 31/08/1979,
Birth Place Warsaw, Poland,
Residence Melbourne, Australia,
Nationality Australia,
Weight 77kg
Plays Right Handed
Favourite Surface
Coach Mark DRAPER
Age Started Tennis 5
Other Information
RANKING Race Rollover
Current Singles 112 188
Current Doubles Not Available 359
Career High Singles 42 * (27 Jan 2003) 110 * (21 Mar 2005)
Career High Doubles 111 * (28 Jan 2002) 129 * (18 Nov 2002)
Singles Year End 174 144
Doubles Year End 281

 

[Lisbeth]

GUCCIONE, Chris (AUS)

Birth Date 30/07/1985,
Birth Place Melbourne, Australia,
Residence Melbourne, Australia,
Nationality Australia,
Weight 91kg
Plays Left Handed
Favourite Surface Grass
Coach John McCurdy, Richard Fromberg
Age Started Tennis 8
Other Information Movies and relaxing
RANKING Race Rollover
Current Singles 143= 178
Current Doubles Not Available 270
Career High Singles 55 * (19 Jan 2004) 171 * (01 Aug 2005)
Career High Doubles 459 * (25 Aug 2003) 224 * (23 May 2005)
Singles Year End 188 297
Doubles Year End 464

 

[Lisbeth]

HEALEY, Nathan (AUS)

Birth Date 27/02/1980,
Birth Place Gosford, Australia,
Residence Gosford, Australia,
Nationality Australia,
Weight 81kg
Plays Right Handed
Favourite Surface Grass, Clay
Coach Greg Healey
Age Started Tennis 9
Other Information Bodyboarding, Golf, Racing
RANKING Race Rollover
Current Singles 167= 252
Current Doubles Not Available 164
Career High Singles 73 * (31 Jan 2005) 231 * (08 Aug 2005)
Career High Doubles 13 * (13 Jan 2003) 58 * (03 Feb 2003)
Singles Year End 257= 319
Doubles Year End 123

 

[Lisbeth]

KIMMICH, Marc (AUS)

Birth Date 21/01/1983,
Birth Place Stuttgart, Germany,
Residence Brisbane, QLD, Australia,
Nationality Australia,
Weight 91kg
Plays Right Handed
Favourite Surface
Coach
Age Started Tennis 12
Other Information
RANKING Race Rollover
Current Singles 234= 237
Current Doubles Not Available 333
Career High Singles 56 * (10 Jan 2005) 236 * (01 Aug 2005)
Career High Doubles 857 * (25 Aug 2003) 331 * (15 Aug 2005)
Singles Year End 323
Doubles Year End 353

 

[Murkofan]

I think its very cool that lots of Aussies are transplants.

What's up with Todd Reid?

 

[Lisbeth]

I think its very cool that lots of Aussies are transplants.

What's up with Todd Reid?

Yes it's pretty cool ... and it's great for our dining options

Reid was sick for a long time and now is ranked maybe in the 300s.

 

[Lisbeth]

Tuesday was not so great for our boys ... but good luck to Peter Luczak flying the lone flag for us on Wednesday!

 

[Murkofan]

I only eat hamburgers, pizzas, and Mexican food

Poor Todd Reid. I blame Ezel and her Mystery Illness

 

[Lisbeth]

Peter Luzak beat Kristof Vliegen 6-4 6-2 and now takes on Adrian Garcia of Chile! Great work Peter and best of luck for the next round!

 

[Murkofan]

Wow, good job Peter!

 

[Lisbeth]

Peter has won the second round in a three setter!

Next up - Thiago Alvez of Brazil! Good luck to Peter

 

[Murkofan]

Pff, claycourt specialist

Goooooooooooo Peter!