Local tennis stud Robby Ginepri, fresh from a first-round defeat at the Beijing Olympics, is in New Haven this week for the Pilot Pen. It’s the last stop before the U.S Open, which starts Aug. 25.
A little jet lag didn’t slow Ginepri, who lives in Kennesaw. He knocked off Luis Horna on Monday and plays again today.
Ginepri was ranked as high as 15th in 2005, but he has steadily slipped and ended 2007 at No. 134. But he has played well this year, advancing to the semifinals at Delray Beach, San Jose and Las Vegas. He also won three matches at the French Open.
In Beijing, Ginepri lost his first match to Novak Djokovic. He arrived in New Haven Saturday and didn’t have much time to rest for his first-round match.
“I’m still trying to get over a little bit of jet lag,” Ginepri said. “Took some spells where I was a little bit tired, short of energy.”
Next up is [Augustin] Calleri, who beat Ginepri 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 in the second round of the Pilot Pen last year.
“Hopefully I can get some revenge on him,” Ginepri said.
Photo: Elsa, Getty Images
