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Udomchoke worthy of top of entry list |
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Udomchoke worthy of top of entry list |
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The Binghamton entry list has Danai Udomchoke as the top entry at 137. Danai was a finalist last year and he needs to be recognized as a player who has been good to us over the years. He is one of a very few who can say he has progressed every time he has been here... another thing to be praised is the fact that he has been here every year since 2001, nobody else can say that. Hats off to Udomchoke, he may not have had that huge big win over a top 5 player or have some crazy exciting story on how he made it or some chip on his shoulder, just persistence and steadiness... and here he is at the top of our entry list. He deserves fans and respect here in Binghamton. The top American entry at the 2nd spot, Bobby Reynolds, is also worthy. He does have a great story from the Australian Open this year, he has progressed steadily as well. The story on the Australian... he apparently went to Brazil for a Challenger and couldn't get in to the country... from there he decided to go to Australia to at least get some good practice with other players at the Grand Slam and get on the alternate list for QUALIFYING. Turns out, he gets into qualifying... makes it through and then gets to the 3rd round of the main draw. His best result, by far. Reynolds has also played for Vanderbilt, reaching the top spot in college... same place Jordan Magarik of Vestal now plays. Main Draw Entrants
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Others worth mentioning... Healey, who had the miraculous run last year is returning after steady results... Baker returns, again steady good results but interrupted by injury this year. Lots of youth too... Baker, Reynolds, Guccione, Bogomolov Jr, Ram. Also have a hefty # of Grand Slam appearances from the veterans led by Mamiit, Vahaly, and Russell. Recall Russell's 2001 French run, taking on Bruguera, Malisse, and a fourth round finish against #1 Kuerten in 5 sets... recognized as a great American effort by TV commentators.
As far as the alternates... also have a slew of younger guys with Scoville Jenkins (top junior last year, to add to Baker, the top junior the year before), Todd Widom, Wayne Odesnik, Jesse Witten, Scott Lipsky, Jeremy Wurtzman, Brian Wilson, Max Abel... many of these guys have been on USTA Pro Circuit radar in the last few years.
A tight field at this point, lots of players with good results on the Challenger level so the quality of tennis again will make the audience wonder ... how can this be free!