Harrison advances in clash of Bollettieri pros
Two players that know just about everything about each other’s games took the court last night in the first round of the Sarasota Open at the Longboat Key Club. Both players – Ryan Harrison and Taylor Dent – train at the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy and in doing so practice with one another on a regular basis. It was a match of big serves and great net play as both were very comfortable moving forward on the clay.
Young American hopeful, Harrison (just five days past his 17th birthday) was able to break Dent in the first set to win it 7-5. However, the veteran Dent demonstrated why he was a former top 20 player by winning the second set 6-3. In the third set, the wind began to pick up and Harrison was able to capitalize on several break chances and hit some incredible passing shots to clinch the match 6-1. Both players demonstrated great composure and sportsmanship towards one another throughout the match.
The win puts Harrison in the second round where he will face Victor Estrella later this afternoon. A win here will put him in the quarterfinals of a Challenger for the first time in his young career. Congrats to both players for a great match and good luck to Ryan today!
Here are some photos from the match and for more visit our Flickr page:
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- Ryan Harrison
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- IMG Bollettieri Tennis Academy student Ryan Harrison
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- Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy pro Taylor Dent at the 2009 Sarasota Open
