Memphis, TN (Sports Network) - Defending champion Jurgen Melzer came up an
opening-round loser Tuesday at the $1.212 million U.S. National Indoor Tennis
Championships.
The veteran Austrian left-hander succumbed to Dutchman Igor Sijsling 6-4, 7-6
(7-3) at The Racquet Club of Memphis. Sijsling is rewarded with a second-round
match against top-seeded Marin Cilic.
Melzer beat Canadian slugger Milos Raonic in last year's finale here.
This week's second seed is last week's San Jose winner Raonic, who has been
the runner-up in Memphis the last two years.
Also on Tuesday, American journeyman and lucky loser Michael Russell topped
Russian qualifier Alex Bogomolov Jr. 6-2, 6-4.
The 2013 Memphis champ will claim $291,800.
The Sports Network