(May 13th, 2013) -- All roads may lead to Rome, but for American men competing at the week's Masters event, they will be traveling out of the city sooner than expected.
Both
Sam Querrey and
John Isner found themselves with extra time on their hands as each suffered opening round losses yesterday at the Masters 1000 event. Querrey's loss to No. 8 seed
Richard Gasquet 6-2, 7-6(8) was not a total surprise. But Isner's tough 7-5, 6-7(5), 6-3 defeat by
Denis Istomin in windy conditions was not the way the American would have liked to start his week.
With their exits, that means there are no U.S. men currently left in the draw for Rome. The European clay court season is once again proving to be a stumbling block for American men as they prepare for the upcoming French Open later this month.
Isner, who won the clay court event in Houston back in April, is still viewed as having the best chance to make something happen in Paris despite losing a tough five set battle to France's
Paul-Henri Mathieu in the second round of Roland Garros last year. Isner's best result in Paris was a third round showing in 2010.
Querrey, who does own one clay court title from Belgrade on his resume, is expected to be the highest seeded American man in Paris when the men's draw is made.
Both Isner and Querrey are scheduled to play in next week's final clay court warm up event in Nice, France. The ATP 250 tournament has quite a few American players who are on the player's list including
Brian Baker who reached the finals there last year. Baker is still recovering from a knee injury he suffered at the Australian Open in January, but his participation at Nice is not 100% confirmed.
Several young American players including
Ryan Harrison, who won the Savannah Challenger,
Rhyne Williams, who reached the semis of Houston, and
Jack Sock are expected to compete in qualifying in Nice. Harrison, who was unable to get direct entry into Madrid or Rome due to his lower ranking of late, has remained in the U.S. to train before heading over to Europe next week.
Mardy Fish, who is still recovering from his on-going health issues, recently announced he will not play in Europe until the grass court season kicks off later in June.
Robby Ginepri still remains the only active American man with the best result at Roland Garros in the last several years. Ginepri reached the fourth round back in 2010. Despite reaching the quarters of Houston a few weeks ago, Ginepri's current ranking of No. 228 means he will likely have to pass through qualifying in Paris if he wants to reach the main draw.
For U.S. men, unless a change of fortunes happens soon, it is likely their long winding trip through the clay courts of Europe will once again end early on the terre battue of Paris.
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(Photo Credit: Davis Cup) |