Men’s Clay Court: Andy to Face Haas in QuarterFinals

After playing two relatively unknown opponents, Andy next faces a familiar foe in Germany’s Tommy Hass at the U.S Men’s Clay Court Championships.

The two have faced off 7 times before, most recently at the 2005 SAP Open, where Andy beat Tommy in the semis 7-6, 6-3. Their history even extends to Houston when Tommy ended Andy’s title run in the finals, 6-3, 6-4.

Both Andy and tournament organizers anticipate a high level of tennis in Friday’s Quarterfinal match up. “Well it’s tough, that’s a pretty stacked quarterfinals, especially considering how many seeds dropped out of the bottom half. I mean it’s been a final here before and definitely could be a final any other time, so it’s a big match,” Andy told reporters.

Haas, who sat out the entire 2003 season recovering from surgery, has mad a strong resurgence on the tour. Andy is ready to take on Tommy’s ‘A’ game. “I’m looking forward to playing Tommy. He’s been playing great. I feel like I’m playing well, I’ve turned the corner and this will be a great test. He’s in form and on a surface he likes. I want to play well against an elite player.”

The dirt will be flying Friday as these two heavy hitters battle for a spot in the Semis. Check out some stats on Haas courtesy of the ATP:

Birthdate: 3-Apr-78
Birthplace: Hamburg, Germany
Residence: Bradenton, Florida, USA
Height: 6’2’’ (187 cm)
Weight: 195 lbs (88 kg)
Plays: Right-handed
Turned Pro: 1996
Current INDESIT ATP Ranking – Singles: 27
Career High INDESIT ATP Ranking – Singles: 2 (5/13/2002)
Current Stanford ATP Doubles Ranking: 402
Career High Stanford ATP Doubles Ranking: 127 (2/18/2002)