Well I went down in the final round of qualifying on Monday 6-3 7-6 to my roommate and doubles partner Jeff Dadamo.  I don't think either of us brought our A game to the match, but he was able to play better on the bigger points which made the difference.  I was serving at 5-3 in the second but failed to make a first serve on my way to getting broken.  The tiebreaker was a complete disaster as well.  He came up with a couple good shots, and I missed a few routine balls.  It just wasn't my day out there.  I need to be better I know that much.  Doubles on the other hand went well yesterday.  We went up against the two seeds Bobby Reynolds (USA) and Rik De Voest (RSA).  We both served pretty well and were holding fairly easily.  We squeezed out a 7-6(10) 7-6(7) victory.  Needless to say it came down to one point here or there in both sets.  Luckily we got those points.  We will play our second round tomorrow not before 3:00PM. 

     Outside of tennis I have been enjoying myself this week though.  I have an awesome housing setup this week.  They are treating us incredibly well and have a beautiful place to stay.  They have twin fourteen year-old boys so there have been a lot of ping-pong match-ups this week to say the least.  It has been a lot of fun.  Last night we all went to a local gathering for a big firework show.  It was a beauty.  I got a little video footage, but it wasn't quite up to par for the blog.  I did however hear a song that I think should be the official song of the 4th of July (below).  That is right.  You guessed it.  America the Beautiful by Ray Charles.  If you don't feel some sort of patriotic emotions listening to that then you pretty much don't have a soul.  No offense.  It just doesn't get much better than Ray Charles and America mixed together.  That is a heck of a dream team. 

     Besides that there isn't a whole lot of information to share.  I did witness the Joey Chestnut hotdog massacre today.  Watching that competition is a great way to lose your appetite.  I always decide to watch it and mid-way through I wonder what I was thinking.  I always wondered how someone got involved in competitive hotdog eating anyways.  Either way it is amazing how they throw down.  It's impressive and disgusting all in one.  What more can you ask for?

     Anyways, I hope you all have enjoyed your 4th of July celebrations.  You have got to love the U S of A.  I know I do.  Be safe the rest of the night.  I will post again on Friday.  Thanks again for reading along.  You guys and girls are the bomb. 

All the best,

D Britt

     Qualifying play started today here in Winnetka, IL.  I was lucky enough to get a bye through to the second round of qualifying so I only had to play one match today.  It was not an easy one by any means.  I went up against Gregory Andrews (USA) who plays for Notre Dame.  I pulled out a win 7-6(2) 6-7(4) 7-5.  It was a pretty up and down match.  He came up with some pretty big forehands when he needed them.  I didn't serve quite as well as I would have liked to, but it was a good match to get through. I will go up against my doubles partner and roommate for the week Jeff Dadamo (USA) in the second round tomorrow.  We play second after 10:00AM.  There will be live scores on the ATP/WTA app for your iphones as well as online here in case you are interested. 

     In other news tonight was the sponsors/players party.  It was held at one of the local family houses.  It was a really nice setup with some good food and an awesome view of Lake Michigan.  The coolest part was that they had a raft setup in the Lake for a chipping competition and a long drive competition.  I came up pretty clutch in the chipping competition.  I can tell you honestly that I am one of the worst golfers out there, but I hit two chips on a frozen rope to the raft.  Nobody hit the raft, however I was the closest.  So I came away with a title tonight.  I am pretty proud of it.  There was also a prize for the winner, but I will find out what that is tomorrow.  The long drive competition proved to be too much for me.  I hit it hard and straight but unfortunately it just wasn't enough.  You can't win them all.  I was able to snap a shot of Tennys Sandgren (USA) striking a nice long ball (below).  He got robbed out of the title, but he walks away with his head held high.  Just look at the technique as well.  This truly was beauty and the beast. 

     That is all I have for you guys tonight.  It is time for some rest and recovery before tomorrow's battle.  I hope you guys have had a good weekend.  Thanks for tuning in to the blog.  Comments are always welcome.  Be blessed.

All the best,

Devin Britton