Greetings, everyone. And how about that Michael Russell, the 33-year old journeyman who scored his first-ever victory over a top 10 player just days ago when he beat Mardy Fish in Houston?
Oh, I know it doesn't mean a great deal in the fast lane of the ATP life, but this native of Detroit is having the tournament of his life - 11 years after having the last tournament of his life at Roland Garros. In 2001, he made the fourth round of the French Open and here he is, still plugging away.
Other guys wear sleeveless shirts to show off their guns, move product, or to make a Calvin Klein-esque fashion statement. Russell, you get the feeling, wears them because that's who he is. A guy who sweats and works in the trenches on hot summer days to grind out a living, week-in, week-out. Good luck to him, he'll need it get by Juan Monaco in the semfinals. You can use this post to discuss the tennis over the weekend.
-- Pete