Countrywide Classic Preview

“New name, same Battlefield- Bring It!” The players plan on bringing and slamming everything including the kitchen sink at their opponents, a term Andy once used in a loss against Federer, and it will be a fight to the end as this tournament offers both a lucrative cash prize as well as high points for the US Open Series Road Trip race.

Andy accepted a Wild Card in the Countrywide Classic tournament on the UCLA grounds in Los Angeles, California, this week, and it’s been four years since he’s played here. Playing as the number one seed, Andy received a “bye” in the first round, and will play his first match on Wednesday, July 26. Los Angeles, though, is a fond place for new Team Roddick member Jimmy Connors, and it’s to Andy’s advantage this past champion will offer good advice for surviving the LA heat.

There is plenty of entertainment and activity for the crowd as the Countrywide Classic has a Kid’s Day, Fashion Day, and Doubles’ Revolution Tennis Clinic. This year’s Countrywide Classic, formally known as the Mercedes Benz Cup, holds a star-studded line-up with Andy, past champions Andre Agassi and Tommy Haas, Lleyton Hewitt, Bob and Mike Bryan, Taylor Dent, Mardy Fish, Robby Ginepri, Marat Safin, Argentina’s David Nalbandian, Croatia’s Ivan Ljubicic and Mario Ancic, and Chile’s Fernando Gonzalez.

According to Countrywide Classic’s website, the annual Southern California event has reached its 80th year, and will feature a 32-player singles draw and a 16-team doubles competition. The landmark Southern California ATP tournament is the longest running annual professional sporting event in Los Angeles, and offers total player compensation in excess of $1 million.

As Andy prepares to face Rik De Voest of South Africa in round one. Other news from the draw – Lleyton hewitt is the number two seed, holding rank on the opposite half of the draw, and Andre Agassi is in Andy’s half, seeded five, and the two Americans could meet in the semifinals. Team Roddick is working hard on solidifying winning strategies to take Andy all of the way through to the finals again this week. Stay tuned for more Andy in LA. Go Andy!