John Schaeffer  Key Largo, Florida writes: 

 I consider myself a friend of Michael and would like to help in any way.  However, I am leery of writing  something (like a match review) that a pro tennis player might find irrelevant or “off the mark”. Michael  put a lot of effort into the match and was quite disappointed with the result. I would hate to  misrepresent/misinterpret his effort.

 Anyway, here goes:

 Michael Russell’s first round match against Mischa Zverev at Delray was a seesaw three-setter      producing spotty play by both competitors. The first set opened with Zverev establishing a defensive  posture, which he maintained throughout the match, playing 10 feet behind the baseline, and hitting  low slice backhands. Meanwhile, Russell had difficulty finding the center of his own racquet and shanked numerous backhands early. When he did find his strings after being broken during his second service game, Russell seemed perplexed by them, hitting a number of balls long. According to reports, Russell sent several frames to the tournament stringer for a change.

Midway through the first set, the clouds disappeared and Zverev, coming off the European indoor season and being run hard, looked like he might have trouble in the Florida heat.

After dropping the first set, Russell found his reliable, aggressive baseline game and took control of the match. Meanwhile, Zverev’s serve totally “went-off”, producing three double faults in one game. Russell handily won the second set and seemed in control of the match.

This led me to move over one court to watch the Bryan brothers practice with Jay Berger and a good, unknown (to me) and young US player all while looking through the stands to keep an eye on Russell-Zverev. Noticing that Russell was down a break at 1-3, I returned to Court 1 to watch him regain control of the play and win four straight games.

Serving at 5-3, Russell hit (what he felt was) a first serve ace which was called “out”. He stood stunned then broke into a chuckle and tried to refocus. From that point, everything unraveled for Russell. He lost four straight games and the third set by a score of 7-5. Those last four games featured some good play by Zverev and some bad breaks for Russell—he missed several easy shots. However, it seemed that Russell would retained control and, knowing his mental toughness, would never lose the match.

I did not review the match statistics but don’t recall Zverev even attempting to hit winners. He played a relentlessly defensive game that required his opponent to take charge—something that Russell did successfully. Zverev’s best break of the day was cloud cover, which returned midway through the second set. Without it, he would not have been able to stay in this match.

The stands remained full of spectators during the match. I heard numerous comments on Russell’s grittiness.

Having dictated play and been in a position to serve for the match (and being on a year-long roll), Russell was obviously disappointed with the result.

Michael has been on the road since early January and the return home to Houston (and his lovely wife) should help prepare him for the upcoming stretch of important tournaments –Indian Wells and Miami. I think that this match was a “bump in the road” and that Michael Russell will extend his impressive year-long run.

I’ve been a fan of yours ever since I saw you at the US Open quallies last year. You’re an awesome player, and you’re having an AWESOME comeback! Keep up the good tennis!

Mark Peterson writes:

Hey, Michael. Caught you last year playing at Indian Wells on a side court against Guillermo Garcia-Lopez I believe it was. Also saw you a few years ago where I used to be a member at the Claremont Club, Claremont, CA, at one of their Satellite or Challengers. Enjoy watching the effort you put into each match. I follow you and Robert Kendrick weekly. You are doing much better than he over the past year. congratulations on your current 66 rank and keep up the hard work! see you in Indian Wells in a couple weeks. If you read this I will say hi at the tourney if I am there when you are playing. Mark, a 4.5 level player now residing in Broomfield, CO.

Barry Horowitz writes:

An amazing inspiration! He reminds me of the tenacity of Jimmy Connors and the ability of Michael Chang. He is deserving of his place in the sun! It is an injustice Michael has not been given the support and exposure by the USTA. The younger “giants” playing the game today have a serve and that is about it. This guy is a true athlete and all around excellent tennis player – all at 31!

Dustin Petzold writes:

Michael, you have been playing some inspired tennis. Keep it up!

Freddie Jones writes:

The boys from Detroit are behind you 100% …BV and FREDDIE JONES follow you everyday…we laugh how you can hit a backhand when you were 14,  you would do 100 pushups if you missed!!! only spanky Russell would do this when he was a kid.

Obsessive Compulsive Tennis writes:

Mr. Russell you are definitely on a roll now. I think you showed a lot in the match against Delpo and Berdych. I kind of get the feeling that you are capable of a huge upset this season.

Benoit Herve writes:

Berdych was “on” that day, so you played very well.  If you can beat everybody else,  who is not in the top 20 its great.   For those who watched you, again there you really played well and berdych needed to play his best to beat you.  Cheers and all the best for next tournament Michael.
My Hero )

Ervin Domeny writes:

Dear Michael!
Accept my best regards from the Czech Republic. I wish you a great success, good luck and good health in your tennis career as well as in your private life. I congratulate you of your sport gains and hope that you will succeed in your life.  Allow me to approach you about the following matter:  I am a passionate sports fan that is interested in all what is connected with sports. I like best tennis. I collect photos with the autographs of the famous professional athletes.  I also hold you among them.  Would you please send me your photo with the autograph that would enrich my collection. I would you very-very pleased with it.
Thanking you in advance and hoping to get your positive answer. With best wishes, your great fan Ervin.

Jason writes:

Hi Michael. My family and I have seen you play a few times at the Rogers Cup and US Open. You are a fun player to watch since you give 110% on each and every point. We always attend the Rogers Cup in Montreal and Toronto and hope to see you there again this summer. Best of luck this year and hope to see you break the top 50 soon.