Odesnik tops Janowicz at clay court championships

Odesnik tops Janowicz

HOUSTON — Jerzy Janowicz was not happy to be facing American Wayne Odesnik at the U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championships on Monday.

Odesnik, playing for the first time since pleading guilty to importing human growth hormone into Australia, beat the 19-year-old Janowicz of Poland 6-3, 6-4 in a first-round match.

Odesnik pleaded guilty late last month to taking HGH into Australia. He was fined $7,200 and could be banned by the ATP.

Although the players shook hands following the match, Janowicz said he didn’t like playing against Odesnik.

“I think it is unfair to do something like this,” Janowicz said.

“It’s a misunderstanding because for me, he shouldn’t be playing at this moment. He should be suspended. There are bad feelings right now. He shouldn’t play and right now I’m playing with this guy. It’s tough to play with that kind of guy.”

Odesnik declined comment, citing the ATP investigation into his case. He would have a statement on Tuesday.

“I’m doing the only thing I can do right now and that is focus on my tennis,” Odesnik said. “I’ve worked extremely hard. I’m looking forward to the clay court season. That’s where I usually excel.”

Asked if he had support from other players, he said, “I don’t know, I’m just trying to play tennis.”

Odesnik, a finalist in the tournament last year, was in charge early until late in the second set when Janowicz broke Odesnik’s serve in the eighth game.

Janowicz, playing in his third ATP event, fought off two match points before his backhand sailed long in the 10th game to end the match.

Top-seeded Fernando Gonzalez of Chile drew a first-round bye and will play on Wednesday.

Odesnik had little trouble with his young opponent in the first set. Janowicz, who relies heavily on his serve, struggled to serve well.

Janowicz fought off his first match point in the seventh game and held on a pair of backhand errors by Odesnik to finish the game. Odesnik missed a chance to end it at the second match point when he chased down a drop shot, but hit an easy shot into the net.