Artem Sitak: Vulnerable Backhand?

Artem Sitak.

MOBILE, Al -- In the semifinal match of Travis Rettenmaier and Artem Sitak there were long, tiring rallies. Rettenmaier gave an insider's explanation that because of the rain all week the conditions made for a slower court and produced long matches.

"With the weather the courts are real slow," Rettenmaier said. "Tough conditions."

After one particular point near the end of this match in the Newton Cox USTA Men's Professional Tennis Classic, Rettenmaier even in winning the point was breathing hard and visibly winded and Sitak let out a long scream.

The rallies were long and extended; and seemed to be controlled by Rettenmaier. He went almost exclusively after Sitak's backhand.

When asked about this strategy, Rettenmaier said, "Definitely, the backhand was the shot I was going after.

"At the beginning I was playing well and after the terrible start by Sitak. I felt he got to what I was doing."

Rettenmaier earned himself a trip to the final against Ryler De Heart.

Travis Rettenmaier.