[Online exclusive] Mercedes-Benz Cup: Farewell comes early for retiring Chang

Tennis legend Michael Chang’s stop at the Mercedes Benz
Cup during his season-long farewell tour was brief.

The 31-year-old lost to No. 5 seeded Mark Philippoussis 6-2, 6-4
Thursday afternoon in second-round action at UCLA’s Los
Angeles Tennis Center.

Chang, who has appeared in the tournament more times than any
other player, won the tournament in 1996 and 2000 and is also this
year’s tournament honoree. After 16 years on the tour Chang
will retire this fall after the U.S. Open; he was clearly the crowd
favorite Thursday.

“It was great to play this tournament one last
time,” Chang said. “It is a first-class event. It
hasn’t really sunk in that this was the last time I will be
playing in Los Angeles.”

The 6-foot-4 Philippoussis made quick work of Chang in the first
set, as his 136-mph serves were tough for the 5-foot-9 Chang to
return. The Australian aced Chang in the fourth game of the first
set with a 117-mph second serve.

After the match, Chang jokingly said that once he retires
“it will be nice to not have to deal with 140-mile per hour
serves.”

Chang opened the second set with an ace that sent the crowd into
a frenzy, but Philippoussis answered on the next point with a
passing return shot. It was that kind of day for Chang. Later,
Chang broke Philippoussis’ serve to even the second set score
at 3-3, but he never pulled ahead.

“I am a little disappointed I lost serve,”
Philippoussis said. “I was on top of him, and I let him back
in. I can’t do that in later matches.”

Despite making eight aces and three double faults to
Chang’s four aces and no double faults, Philippoussis’
overpowering service game set him up for many quick points.

“He (Philippoussis) played well,” Chang said.
“He served well, and he didn’t make as many errors as I
thought he would.”

Over the course of his career, Chang has seen the game of tennis
change. The Association of Tennis Professionals tour is longer
““ with many players competing in 20-25 tournaments a year
““ whereas Chang recalls most players participated in 15-17
tournaments when his professional career began in 1988. Also,
players are taller and bigger and hit the ball harder.

Using Philippoussis as an example, Chang said jokingly,
“He’s bigger but not faster.”

“The balls are going quicker these days, but there still
aren’t a whole lot of balls I can’t get to,”
Chang added.

Chang said that he would use his retirement to work on his golf
game, do some more fishing, and work with his organization, the
Chang Family Foundation, which works to spread a gospel
message.

During his career, Chang has won 34 singles titles and over $19
million in prize money. He won the French Open in 1989.

In the other singles matches Thursday, Gustavo Kuerten beat
former Bruin Eric Taino 6-3, 7-6(5); Wayne Ferreira defeated Alex
Bogomolov Jr. 7-6(1), 6-3, and Sebastien Grosjean beat Robby
Ginepri 6-2, 6-3.

Tennis legend Michael Chang’s stop at the Mercedes Benz
Cup during his season-long farewell tour was brief.

The 31-year-old lost to No. 5 seeded Mark Philippoussis 6-2, 6-4
Thursday afternoon in second-round action at UCLA’s Los
Angeles Tennis Center.

Chang, who has appeared in the tournament more times than any
other player, won the tournament in 1996 and 2000 and is also this
year’s tournament honoree. After 16 years on the tour Chang
will retire this fall after the U.S. Open; he was clearly the crowd
favorite Thursday.

“It was great to play this tournament one last
time,” Chang said. “It is a first-class event. It
hasn’t really sunk in that this was the last time I will be
playing in Los Angeles.”

The 6-foot-4 Philippoussis made quick work of Chang in the first
set, as his 136-mph serves were tough for the 5-foot-9 Chang to
return. The Australian aced Chang in the fourth game of the first
set with a 117-mph second serve.

After the match, Chang jokingly said that once he retires
“it will be nice to not have to deal with 140-mile per hour
serves.”

Chang opened the second set with an ace that sent the crowd into
a frenzy, but Philippoussis answered on the next point with a
passing return shot. It was that kind of day for Chang. Later,
Chang broke Philippoussis’ serve to even the second set score
at 3-3, but he never pulled ahead.

“I am a little disappointed I lost serve,”
Philippoussis said. “I was on top of him, and I let him back
in. I can’t do that in later matches.”

Despite making eight aces and three double faults to
Chang’s four aces and no double faults, Philippoussis’
overpowering service game set him up for many quick points.

“He (Philippoussis) played well,” Chang said.
“He served well, and he didn’t make as many errors as I
thought he would.”

Over the course of his career, Chang has seen the game of tennis
change. The Association of Tennis Professionals tour is longer
““ with many players competing in 20-25 tournaments a year
““ whereas Chang recalls most players participated in 15-17
tournaments when his professional career began in 1988. Also,
players are taller and bigger and hit the ball harder.

Using Philippoussis as an example, Chang said jokingly,
“He’s bigger but not faster.”

“The balls are going quicker these days, but there still
aren’t a whole lot of balls I can’t get to,”
Chang added.

Chang said that he would use his retirement to work on his golf
game, do some more fishing, and work with his organization, the
Chang Family Foundation, which works to spread a gospel
message.

During his career, Chang has won 34 singles titles and over $19
million in prize money. He won the French Open in 1989.

In the other singles matches Thursday, Gustavo Kuerten beat
former Bruin Eric Taino 6-3, 7-6(5); Wayne Ferreira defeated Alex
Bogomolov Jr. 7-6(1), 6-3, and Sebastien Grosjean beat Robby
Ginepri 6-2, 6-3.

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