University of North Carolina Athletics
Phillips Continues Amazing Run to U.S. Open Semifinals
September 7, 2006 | Men's Tennis
Sept. 7, 2006
Flushing Meadow, N.Y. - Carolina alumnus Tripp Phillips and doubles partner Ashley Fisher continued their amazing run at the U.S. Open advancing to the semifinals with a 7-5, 6-4 win over Americans Jim Thomas and Paul Goldstein. Phillips and Fisher face the number two seeded team of Max Myrini (Belarus) and Jonas Bjorkman (Sweden) on Friday at 11 a.m.
All four players in today's match launched their professional careers by playing Division I college tennis. Fisher played at TCU while Goldstein and Thomas attended Stanford. Phillips graduated from North Carolina in 2000 earning All-American status and finishing among the top five in career singles victories at UNC.
Thursday's quarterfinal was played in Arthur Ashe Stadium and was nationally televised by the USA Network. There were an unusual eight breaks of serve in the match. Phillips and Fisher returned well, winning nearly half of their points (46%) on return of serve.
Phillips served for the match at 5-4. On his third match point, Phillips appeared to serve an ace. However, the call was challenged using the new "Shot Spot" system being employed at this year's U.S. Open for the first time in a grand slam event. Phillips' second serve clipped the service line, forcing Goldstein to miss the return. Experiencing victory in Ashe Stadium for the first time, Phillips and Fisher continued the post-match tradition of hitting autographed tennis balls into the crowd.
Phillips and Fisher have both made history at this event. Playing in his fifth grand slam, Phillips had never advanced past the 2nd round. Meanwhile Fisher's best grand slam showing in 22 appearances prior to today was reaching the quarterfinals of this year's Australian Open.
Players Mentioned
