...............................................................................
Lexus All-American Shootout • tennis exhibition • 5/3/06
Andy Roddick, Paul Goldstein, the Bryan Brothers
...............................................................................
America's top singles player, Andy Roddick, and top doubles team, Bob and Mike Bryan thrilled a crowd of thousands at the Family Circle Tennis Center in Charleston May 3, in the Lexus of Charleston All-American Shootout.

The evening began with some of the best collegiate talent in South Carolina, followed by a matchup of the area's top teaching professionals. It was hotly contested tennis. The college matches featured a cross-town rivalries and top conference contenders. The teaching pro doubles featured three of the five players who have held the title of 5.5 level national champion in the past five years.

After a tiebreak shootout among local media celebrities, the main events took center stage. Billed as the 'Battle of the Brothers,' Andy and his brother (San Antonio teaching pro) John took on Bob and Mike Bryan, the No.1 doubles team in the world and recent champions at the Australian Open. The underdog Roddick team was looking to upset the Bryans, up 6-5 in the 8-game pro-set. But the Bryans steadied their games and break John for the victory.

In the main event, Roddick took on tour veteran Paul Goldstein in a best-of-three singles match. The first set was a slugfest, with lightning-fast serves, deep ground strokes, and amazing angles, and was much closer than the 6-3 Roddick win would suggest. But in the second set both Andy and Paul relaxed a little - playing to the crowd, joking with each other and harassing the chair umpire. The quality of play kept the fans cheering for more. But Andy pulled out the set and the match to cap a perfect evening of tennis.

For more information, visit www.familycirclecup.com.

to top