Due to his stunning victory over French Open Champion Gustavo Kuerten in the Tennis Masters Series in Montreal on Wednesday, Andy Roddick was forced to cancel his scheduled appearance in Kalamazoo Friday night. In his place, Michigan native and 1994 Boys 16 singles champion Michael Russell was named to face Taylor Dent in the National City Bank Exhibition. Dent is also a past champion in Kalamazoo, having won the Boys 16 title in 1996. Russell, 23, also has a recent memorable link to the Brazilian Kuerten, as he took the eventual champion to match point in the fourth round of the French Open this spring before losing in five sets. Originally from Bloomfield Hills Michigan, Russell now resides in Ponte Vedra Beach Florida. He is currently ranked 85th in the ATP Champions race.

The exhibition begins at 7:30 p.m. Friday, August 3, with the professionals playing an eight game pro set, then pairing up to meet the number one seeded Boys 18s doubles team of Prakash and Stephen Amritraj.

Source: Colette Lewis (Tournament Office)