KBCC, Day 4, Part 1

by TW Contributing Writer, Lance Harke

Hi everyone!  One of the things I most admire about how the Sony Ericsson Open is run is the massive outreach effort throughout the South Florida community.  The marketers really know how to "flood the zone" with signs everywhere, players doing photo shoots everywhere, and buzz and excitement building even among local non-tennis fans.  Indeed, you would have to be burrowed in JFK's old bunker to not know South Florida is hosting this major tennis tournament.

But outside of the area, how does the level of awareness compare?  I see that today is the first day there will be any TV coverage, on FSN beginning at 1 p.m.  Tennis Channel picks up the evening matches tonight at 8 p.m, and CBS broadcasts the finals next Saturday beginning at 12:30 p.m.

That's great, but I wish more could be done to get greater national exposure for this event.  I can't tell you how much I have enjoyed watching the matches all week, and it's unfortunate you have to come down to sunny South Florida in person to catch any of the early action -- well, I suppose there are worse things.

Matches begin this morning at 10 a.m., and I plan on watching Querrey take on lefty Lopez, a local fan favorite.  I also hope to watch the big man Ivo Karlovic take on the Pride of Portugal, qualifier Frederico Gil (image not available!!).  And the Williams sisters take to the court later today.

Hey, did I call the Mathieu upset, or what?  I feel bad for Baggy and his fans, but I'm looking forward to the erratic Frenchman screwing the lid on tight and giving the The Djoker a good match in the third round.

You can follow my "tweets" on the action here.