Querry Prevails in Los Angeles, by James Handal

The Farmers Classic in Los Angeles just completed another U.S. Open Series tournament at UCLA and presented some great matches. On Sunday, August 1, in the finals, No. 1 seed Andy Murray fell to No. 2 seed Sam Querrey 5-7, 7-6, 6-3. Murray and Querrey had met recently at Wimbledon and Murray prevailed by winning 7-5, 6-3, 6-4. It was very crowded to see No. 4 world ranked Murray versus the 6′ 6 tall American, No. 20 world ranked Querrey. Querrey is the back to back champion at the Farmers Classic.

In the first round of the Farmers Classic, talented American James Blake, played Leonardo Mayer of Argentina. Blake dominated the match and won 6-1, 6-4. In his next match, Blake played Benjamin Becker of Germany. The crowd was on Blake’s side for the whole match. Blake used his powerful forehand to dominate the match and won 7-5, 7-6. James Blake had a lot of break points but could not convert. In the second set, it would go to a tiebreak. Blake, who made is to the finals in 2007, would have to beat No. 4 seed Feliciano Lopez from Spain to get into the semifinals.

Then, on Friday, July 30, Blake played Feliciano Lopez of Spain. Blake could not beat Lopez’s crafty shots. Lopez took the match to 3 sets to win 3-6, 7-6, 6-4 Lopez was hitting the ball very consistently. He kept the ball in the court and waited for Blake to make errors

In the semi-finals on Saturday, Murray battled Feliciano Lopez. Murray used his experience to get himself into the finals of the Farmers Classic by beating the Spaniard in 3 sets 6-0, 1-6, and 6-4. Murray is the first British player to get to the finals of the Farmers Classic tournament in Los Angeles.

Earlier in the tournament, Murray played Alejandro Falla of Columbia in a match on Friday, July 30, 2010. Murray won 7-6, 6-1. Murray played well and looked like he could go on to win the tournament. Murray’s first match in the tournament was against qualifier Tim Smyczek. The match was very exciting and Murray pulled through in the third set to win the match 6-1, 4-6, 6-2.

Murray, who came to the tournament after Novak Djokovic withdrew, just parted with his coach earlier this week. The Farmers Classic was pleased to have the world ranked No. 4 make his debut in Los Angeles, and the crowds reflected that. Murray got some help with Barry Bonds and Kevin Garnett watching him compete.