Roddick, Bryan twins claim exhibition victories
LEXINGTON — The world’s top-ranked men’s singles and doubles tennis players joined forces Sunday evening to raise money for the University of Kentucky tennis program at the Lexus Tennis Classic presented by the Lexington Tennis Club at Rupp Arena. 2003 U.S. Open Champion Andy Roddick captured a challenging two-set exhibition victory over 37th-ranked American James Blake, 7-5, 7-6 (0), while American twins Bob and Mike Bryan outlasted former UK tennis greats Cedric Kauffmann and Greg Van Emburgh, 8-4, in a doubles exhibition.
In the doubles opener, the Bryan twins jumped out to an early 4-0 lead before finally surrendering a game. UK’s Kauffmann and Van Emburgh would get as close as 7-4 in the pro set before dropping the final game and the match. Shortly thereafter, the crowd of 4,069 was taken aback by the arrival of Blake and Roddick to the tennis court in a red Lexus convertible.
Each notorious for the power games they bring to hardcourt surfaces, Blake and Roddick exchanged as many good-natured barbs with the Rupp audience as powerful forehands and sizzling serves among themselves. An anxious fan urged Roddick to show off his trademark power serve; Roddick obliged, firing a 140 mph bullet. On another occasion, Roddick caught Blake admiring himself in the arena’s video boards. Roddick shouted, “Stop looking at yourself!” much to the delight of the amused spectators.
Former UK basketball great Kyle Macy and UK men’s basketball coach Tubby Smith, upon the persistence of emcee Wayne Bryan, each took chances to attempt returns off of blazing Roddick serves. Macy managed a lob out of bounds while Smith pounded a grounder into the net.
After dropping the first set, Blake appeared ready to send the match to a decisive third set. With a 5-4 lead, Blake stood one point from capturing the second set before Roddick registered a comeback. Roddick forced a tiebreaker and blanked Blake to earn the victory.
“I think it was great to be a part of this,” Blake said. “It was nice to see the alumni, as well as Coach (Dennis) Emery, supporting a charity event. Instead of wins and losses, this is a time to worry about other things in life, and I’m very thankful to get to see that aspect of the sport.”
Roddick also expressed his pleasure with the event.
“This is great. We did this last night in Little Rock and tonight in Lexington. It’s fun because we take a top level of tennis to places that don’t get it all the time.”
Roddick also was quick to point the significance of playing the first tennis event at the 27-year old facility.
“It was sweet. It’s cool to come to a place with as much history as Rupp (Arena). To be one of the first people to play tennis here is a great thing.”
