We’re en route to Memphis for the Regions Morgan Keegan Tennis Championships. It’s our first professional tennis tournament and we’re looking forward to posting some of our observations throughout the weekend.

"Rising American Sam Querrey, all 6 feet, 6 inches of him, was braced to take a painful fall in the opening round of the Regions Morgan Keegan Tennis Championships Tuesday at The Racquet Club of Memphis.

The fifth seed had been broken late in the third and final set by compatriot Michael Russell, who found himself, torn rotator cuff and bloody right arm not withstanding, serving for the match.

The added pressure, and possible embarrassment of an early exit, motivated Querrey. With the match on Russell's racquet, Querrey nimbly recovered by breaking Russell. He followed by winning the next three games and earning a spot in the second round with a 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 victory.

Among a group of young Americans considered to be potential top 25 players, Querrey, 20, advanced along with No. 4 seed Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic, No. 6 seed Thomas Johansson and 2007 Memphis quarterfinalist Mardy Fish. Johansson ousted wild card entry and two-time Grand Slam champion Marat Safin, making his first Memphis appearance, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (2).

Top seed Andy Roddick, winner of last year's tour stop in San Jose, and No. 8 seed Robin Soderling, runnerup last week in Rotterdam, play their opening matches today."

“Fifth seed Querrey avoids upset in opener” – Commercial Appeal