Krickstein wins spot in Delray ITC finals
By David Sedore, Palm Beach Business.com
Aaron Krickstein tries to pull a "Roddick" but comes up short against John McEnroe.
(EDITOR'S NOTE: More pictures from Monday's competition)
(Click to read more from Sunday's competition)
DELRAY BEACH — John McEnroe did more damage to his racket than with it, Monday night, losing to Aaron Krickstein 6-3, 4-6, 1-0, at the Delray Beach International Tennis Championships.
Krickstein, a Boca Raton resident, advances to the ATP Champions Tour finals Tuesday evening against Mark Philippoussis. He is looking for his first tournament victory since 1993.
McEnroe, in frustration with his own play and with the officiating, broke his racket over the net, swatted a ball out of the stadium after missing a shot and was repeatedly in the face of the linesmen and umpire, earning an unsportsmanlike conduct call.
“Thirty years later and you’re still pulling the same crap,” McEnroe said.
He even got into a shouting match with one of the fans during the tiebreaker.
But the evening belonged to Krickstein, who blew past McEnroe in 10-3 in the tiebreaker.
“I lost my serve for a while, and John started playing a little better,” Krickstein said.
He acknowledged that Philippoussis. who is 9 years younger than Krickstein and in possession of a powerful serve, will be the favorite in the finals.
“On paper, you’d say I have no chance,” Krickstein said. “Obviously I’m going to have to serve well again, because I’m not going to break him a lot.”
Philippoussis vs. Krickstein is scheduled to begin at 7:15 p.m.
What goes up must come down. John McEnroe prepares to return one of Krickstein's shots.
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