Wednesday 14 September 2011

US Open champs in doubles action?


NEWLY crowned US Open champions Jurgen Melzer (left) and Philipp Petzschner (right) could team up for doubles action in this year's Malaysian Open on Sept 24-Oct 2 at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
The Austrian-German pairing defeated Poland's Mariusz Fyrstenberg-Marcin Matkowski 6-2, 6-2 in the US Open doubles final.
It was the first US Open win for Melzer and Petzschner but their second grand slam success after they won Wimbledon last year.
Melzer and Petzschner have only registered for the singles in the Malaysian Open but they may opt to play doubles in Kuala Lumpur after their success in New York.
"It has always been a dream of the tournament to bring Grand Slam champions to the Malaysian Open," said tournament director Nick Freyer yesterday.
"We are extremely excited to have reached this milestone and hope it is a prelude of greater things to come. There is a very real chance that fans may be able to relive the US Open doubles final come October 3."
Meanwhile, Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis and Belgian's David Goffin are the tournament's wild card.
"Baghdatis is a great personality. His style of tennis is really flamboyant and that makes for exciting matches.
"As for Goffin, the 20-year-old is gaining a fair amount of experience on the Challenger circuit," said Freyer.
The third and final main draw wild card is yet to be awarded.
Tickets for the event are available at www.MalaysianOpenTennis.com or www.Ticketpro.com.my.