The Excitement Starts Here And Now

JD Blom

Tours, draw ceremonies, and qualifying matches filled up most of the day at the 2011 Sony Ericsson Open.

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At 10:00 am, I toured the 34-acre site guided by tournament director Adam Barrett and Media and Public Relations Director Sam Henderson. Tracking down minor facilities issues ("Why is the Head Tent Closed?") while walking a small group of media around the exquisitely designed and built set of facilities, it was clear that the Sony Ericsson Open has its eye on a bigger future. Adding another television court, hardwiring expanded workrooms for faster connectivity, and including a high-end VIP restaurant which will feature four celebrity chefs over the next week, the event will remain the premiere event outside of the Grand Slams.

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At approximately 11:45, the women's draw was unveiled. Samantha Stosur chose the chips with the 32 seeded players whose names were taped on a giant draw board threatening to blow off the easel. "Right now, it's all just a bunch of names," she said of her place in the 128-line draw. The No. 4 seed and Roland Garros finalist will face the winner of Zheng Jie and Xperia Hot Shot Sorana Cirstea in the second round.

The men's draw followed with Jurgen Melzer doing the choosing. "The first thing I look at is where is Juan Martín del Potro in the draw," said the No. 10 seed. "He's in Robin Soderling's section so that's going to be a nice little section. I think everybody says you play one match at a time, but we're human so sometimes we do look ahead. If you're confident you don't care who you play, but if you're not, you want to know what's coming." What's coming for Melzer is his doubles partner Philipp Petzschner of Germany or Florent Serra of France.

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Next, I jumped around and the grounds and darted in and out of several qualifying matches.


JD Blom


JD Blom


JD Blom


JD Blom

American wildcard and birthday girl Sloane Stephens had to rally from a set down to advance to the second round of qualifying. She beat the No. 4 seed Evgeniya Rodina of Russia 3-6, 6-4, 6-3. For a place in the main draw she'll face Aussie Sophie Ferguson who upset No. 13 Alberta Brianti of Italy 6-4, 3-6, 6-2.

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