Ex-Cat Witten wins in 1st round

Qualifier gives nod to McEnroe after 1st grand slam win

Staff, Wire Reports

Kathy Willens / AP

Jesse Witten defeated Igor Andreev in straight sets on Tuesday in the first round of the U.S. Open.

Former University of Kentucky tennis player Jesse Witten knocked off No. 29-seeded Igor Andreev in the first round of the U.S. Open in New York on Tuesday.

And all it took was a little help from John McEnroe.

"You could probably say that," Witten said after his first career victory in a Grand Slam event.

Witten, who turned pro in 2005 and made it into the U.S. Open by way of three qualifying rounds last week, swept past the Russian Andreev 6-4, 6-0, 6-2 for the biggest win of his career. No. 276 in the latest ATP rankings, Witten had a hard time explaining his recent run of success but said the Hall of Famer McEnroe had something to do with it.

"I hit with John McEnroe the other day, and he was really being helpful," said Witten, 26. "He's on my World Team Tennis team, as well. So we played five or six matches together. We've gotten closer over the last five or six years.

"He was trying to give me some pointers, helping me out. He usually doesn't say too much when it comes to somebody else's game or coaching like that. That meant a lot, just to know that he was there.

"And he called me after I qualified. It makes you feel appreciated, and what you're doing makes it worth it."

McEnroe wasn't the only one giving support, though. Witten has struggled at times as a pro, even considering moving on to another career not long ago, but he stuck with it — and when he plays in important tournaments, he can count on a Big Blue rooting section.

"Whenever I get to a big show, they're definitely there. They're always supporting me," Witten said of his college buddies.

He packed about five people into his room in New York — "Don't tell the hotel," he said with a smile.

He advanced to the second round, where he'll meet No. 76 Maximo Gonzalez of Argentina on Thursday or Friday. Gonzalez advanced with a 2-6, 1-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-3 comeback victory over Karol Beck of Slovakia.

At UK, Witten earned All-America honors five times (four singles, one doubles) and was named the 2005 Southeastern Conference Player of the Year.