Goldstein (right) and Malisse both progressed
Goldstein Back from the Brink
MEMPHIS (February 18) - Paul Goldstein survived four match points against Wayne Arthurs before moving through to the second round of the Kroger St. Jude in Memphis.
Goldstein, who came through two qualifying rounds to get into the main draw, came from a set down to win 6-7(4), 6-3, 7-6(5).
"I even surprised myself," said Goldstein. "I haven't won a tough match like that for a long time." Arthurs had a 5-3 lead in the final set tie-break, but the American refused to lie down. "Wayne has such a good return, and all the match points were on my serve," said Goldstein. "I got my first serve in on two of them, and he missed a backhand on the third. I was lucky. It's tough for Wayne, but it feels great to get through."
Goldstein, who spent two years inside the Top 100 in 1999-2000 before a number of niggling leg injuries forced him to return to the Challengers and Futures circuits last year, was delighted to have survived such a close encounter.
"My confidence was low after last year, and I didn't have much faith in myself," said Goldstein. "But I played two great matches in qualifying and a win like this is great for the confidence. It's something I can hopefully build on not only in this tournament, but over the next couple of months."
Inspiration
As a big basketball fan, Goldstein finally revealed where his inspiration had come from. "There was a big win for the [Maryland] Terps against Duke last night [in NCAA College Basketball]," said Goldstein. "That really motivated me today."
Goldstein now awaits the winner of the first round match between No. 3 seed Jan-Michael Gambill and rising Russian star Nikolay Davydenko.
Elsewhere on the opening day, fourth seed Xavier Malisse defeated Spain's Juan Balcells 7-6(2), 6-4. The 21-year-old from Belgium, who has not played a match since the Australian Open, said: "For me to come out against a tough opponent in my first match and get the win will really help with my confidence," said Malisse. "I like my chances here given the way the draw has worked out."
Malisse now meets Martin Damm for a place in the quarterfinals after the Czech defeated Denmark's Kristian Pless 6-4, 7-6(5).
America's Jeff Morrison also through to the second round for the first time in his career in an ATP match after defeating Thailand's Paradorn Srichaphan. Morrison, a 23-year-old from West Virginia, came through 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-4 and will now meet either No. 5 seed Rainer Schuettler or Michael Llodra.
Goldstein, who came through two qualifying rounds to get into the main draw, came from a set down to win 6-7(4), 6-3, 7-6(5).
"I even surprised myself," said Goldstein. "I haven't won a tough match like that for a long time." Arthurs had a 5-3 lead in the final set tie-break, but the American refused to lie down. "Wayne has such a good return, and all the match points were on my serve," said Goldstein. "I got my first serve in on two of them, and he missed a backhand on the third. I was lucky. It's tough for Wayne, but it feels great to get through."
Goldstein, who spent two years inside the Top 100 in 1999-2000 before a number of niggling leg injuries forced him to return to the Challengers and Futures circuits last year, was delighted to have survived such a close encounter.
"My confidence was low after last year, and I didn't have much faith in myself," said Goldstein. "But I played two great matches in qualifying and a win like this is great for the confidence. It's something I can hopefully build on not only in this tournament, but over the next couple of months."
Inspiration
As a big basketball fan, Goldstein finally revealed where his inspiration had come from. "There was a big win for the [Maryland] Terps against Duke last night [in NCAA College Basketball]," said Goldstein. "That really motivated me today."
Goldstein now awaits the winner of the first round match between No. 3 seed Jan-Michael Gambill and rising Russian star Nikolay Davydenko.
Elsewhere on the opening day, fourth seed Xavier Malisse defeated Spain's Juan Balcells 7-6(2), 6-4. The 21-year-old from Belgium, who has not played a match since the Australian Open, said: "For me to come out against a tough opponent in my first match and get the win will really help with my confidence," said Malisse. "I like my chances here given the way the draw has worked out."
Malisse now meets Martin Damm for a place in the quarterfinals after the Czech defeated Denmark's Kristian Pless 6-4, 7-6(5).
America's Jeff Morrison also through to the second round for the first time in his career in an ATP match after defeating Thailand's Paradorn Srichaphan. Morrison, a 23-year-old from West Virginia, came through 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-4 and will now meet either No. 5 seed Rainer Schuettler or Michael Llodra.
