At The Open With Marcia Frost...

Tuesday, August 26th-Main Draw Day Two

Nepotism may not get you trophies in tennis, but it certainly gets you crowds. Carly Gullickson, daughter of MLB pitcher Bill Gullickson and the youngest American to every play for the U.S. in the Pan American Games, met today with Dinara Safina, younger sister of Marat Safin.

There was no consistency to this match. Dinara took an early lead, mostly due to Carly's double faults -- or I should say "double foot-faults." Carly had the bad luck today of receiving the rare linesperson who watches the feet more than the ball. The rattled sixteen year old gave away the first three games, but came back to take the next three. With her nerves calmed, she hit some amazing shots and kept Dinara going. Despite the fact that she was up 5-3 at one point, the first set went to the Russian, 7-5.

Carly was just not in the second set during the first five games. There were a few great points, but not enough to make a match. Carly took only two games in that set. After the match Carly Gullicikson announced that she had just turned pro and will not play the Junior Championships.

Another recent professional (I am beginning to think the amateurs are a rare breed) who didn't make it through her US Open wildcard was Angela Haynes. Angela, whose Compton, California, background has led to comparisons to the Williams sisters, could not keep up with Tina Pisnik and lost 6-4,6-2.

Well, Amer Delic it's all up to you to break this losing streak tomorrow. No pressure here.

Until Tomorrow...

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