[情報] Cincinnati success fuels Ginepri's rise to prominence
Friday August 15, 07:57 AM
Cincinnati success fuels Ginepri's rise to prominence
By Stephen Wood
CINCINNATI, Aug 14 (Reuters) - A movie actress girlfriend and photogenic features make him a bonafide member of the new American tennis elite, but it is his performances this season that have been key in justifying the buzz around Robby Ginepri.
The 20-year-old made his third Masters Series quarter-final of 2003 on Thursday with a 6-1 7-6 victory over Argentine Gaston Gaudio in Cincinnati.
A year ago, he was anything but the pride of American tennis when he exited the tournament after a 6-0 6-0 defeat to Lleyton Hewitt.
But 2003 has been his breakthrough year on the court and, with a blossoming romance with Briton Minnie Driver, a year to remember off it too.
"Losing to Hewitt like that wasn't the greatest feeling," Ginepri, number 38 in the Champions Race, told reporters.
"It was one of my first matches on a big centre court, live on television. I was a bit nervous and it showed.
"But I've worked a lot on my game and on my fitness to get to the next level. Now I want to go even further, so I have to keep focusing."
The fact that Driver had to leave Cincinnati last weekend might be a blessing in disguise.
Ginepri can come across as a guarded individual, but he seems unperturbed by media interest in his private life -- including an article in People magazine recently -- and his demeanour transforms when Driver is mentioned.
He explained: "She watched me play at Queen's Club (in London in June), and got someone to say to me, 'Do you want to meet Minnie Driver?' I was like, 'Sure'. And it happened.
"I don't think the relationship has hurt my career, even though she has come to three or four of my matches and I haven't won one yet.
"But tennis is my number one goal. That's what I want to focus on."
Ginepri is still aware that, while he can compete with Andy Roddick's choice of girlfriend -- Roddick dates film star Mandy Moore -- he has some way to go to overhaul the achievements of his compatriot, who has won four titles this season.
But Ginepri said: "Andy is a great guy, and he's dealt with the pressure terrifically well."
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