Chang will play in Waikoloa tennis
Advertiser Staff
Michael Chang has accepted a wild-card entry into the third annual Hilton Waikoloa Village USTA Challenger, which begins Tuesday on the Big Island.
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Chang, who turns 30 next month, lost in the first round of the Australian Open. He finished last year ranked No. 73 in the world. Since turning pro in 1988, Chang has won nearly $19 million.
Michael Chang has earned more than $19 million in his career.
Andy Roddick used last year's Waikoloa Challenger to make his rowdy introduction to the tennis world. He defeated James Blake — now a Davis Cup teammate — in the final. All eight quarterfinalists last year were Americans.
Roddick will not be back but Blake, who lost in Australia yesterday, is on the initial entry list. Harvard's former No. 1 player went on to reach ATP semifinals in Newport and Tokyo and win the Knoxville Challenger. He finished the year at No. 88.
Others on the tentative entry list include 2000 Waikoloa champion Paul Goldstein, Justin Gimelstob, Cecil Mamiit, Michael Russell, Vince Spadea, John van Lottum and Chris Woodruff. All are current or former Top-100 players. Russell reached the round of 16 last year at the French Open.
Mardy Fish, Robby Ginepri and Jeff Morrison are three of America's best young players. Fish upset Mark Philippoussis last year. Morrisson was the 1999 NCAA singles champion for Florida.
The $50,000 Challenger begins with pre-qualifying Sunday and Monday at the Hilton's Kohala Tennis Garden. The main draw runs Tuesday through Sunday, with matches starting at 10 each morning.
Qualifying admission is free, while main draw tickets range from $8-20. Discounts are available to U.S. Tennis Association members.
