Shabaz and Courtney Defeated at US Open

Story Links

FLUSHING MEADOWS, N.Y. — The Virginia doubles team of Michael Shabaz (Fairfax, Va.) and Drew Courtney (Clifton, Va.) fell in the first round of the 2010 US Open on Tuesday at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. The duo, who received a wild card into the draw as the NCAA Champions, lost to No. 10 seeds Dick Norman and Wesley Moodie 6-3, 6-4.

The first set was on serve at 2-all, when Courtney and Shabaz got a pair of break points on Norman’s serve at 15-40. But the Cavalier team couldn’t take advantage of the chances and the set remained on serve through seven games. Serving at 3-4 in the first set, Shabaz was broken and Norman served out the first set in the ensuing game.

The second set remained on serve, without any break point chances, through eight games. At 4-4, Courtney’s serve was broken and Norman held serve to close out the 6-3, 6-4 match.

“We played two poor service games, one in each set, and that was the difference today,” said Shabaz. “We could never really settle into the match and they were serving pretty well. Most of the neutral rallies went their way and we were never able to get into the match.”

It was the second US Open for Shabaz, who played in 2009 with pro Wayne Odesnik. This year marked Courtney’s US Open debut.

“The whole experience was pretty surreal,” said Courtney. “I got to New York on Thursday and since then everything has been great. It is amazing to experience how the top pros are treated in every aspect, both on and off the court.”