Olympian climbing through Fifth Third qualifying

By Jim Durham - Special to the Herald-Leader

In a perfect world, Chris Guccione — ranked No. 93 in the world — wouldn't have to win three qualifying rounds just to be in the $100,000 USTA Fifth Third Bank Tennis Championships main draw. But, while preparing to represent Australia in next month's Olympics, he missed an entry deadline for a tournament in Toronto.

“I just want to get one more tournament in before Beijing,” said the 6-foot-7 lefty, who didn't balk at coming to the lower-level Lexington Challenger and getting in the extra work. His untouchable serve carried him to two straight-set victories over Yuichi Ito of Japan and Todd Paul on Saturday at the University of Kentucky's Hilary J. Boone Tennis Center.

Saturday's Fifth-Third results
Schedule
At UK's Boone Tennis Complex
When: Through July 27
Sunday: 10 a.m. (qualifying rounds continue)

If Guccione wins his final qualifying match Sunday, he is expected to be the No. 3 seed in the men's main draw that starts Monday.

Also Saturday, Somdev Devvarman of India showed the never-give-up spirit that carried him to the past two NCAA singles titles with a 6-2, 2-6, 7-6 victory over Lexington's 2000 champ Takao Suzuki of Japan. Canadian Bruno Agostinelli, UK's top player, eliminated Ohio State's Matthew Allare 6-4, 6-2, then was ousted by Alberto Francis, formerly of UCLA, 6-1, 7-5.

UK signee Eric Quigley, a four-time high school champion from South Oldham, exited in the first round 6-2, 6-3 to 25-year-old Sonchat Ratiwatana of Thailand. UK teammate Brad Cox lost in the first round 6-3, 6-3 to Serbia's Filip Krajinovic.

Women's qualifying begins at 10 a.m. Sunday.