WITTEN EXTENDS HIS STAY IN NY

Jesse Witten's pals from his days at the University of Kentucky are going to be sticking around at the U.S. Open longer than they expected.

And longer than he did, too.

The 276th-ranked Witten earned the first tour-level victory of his career Tuesday at Flushing Meadows, upsetting No. 29-seeded Igor Andreev of Russia 6-4, 6-0, 6-2.

Witten is originally from Naples, Fla., and he played college tennis at Kentucky, reaching the NCAA singles championship match in 2002. He's struggled at times as a pro, even considering moving on to another career not long ago, but he stuck with it — and when he plays in important tournaments, he can count on a rooting section.

"Whenever I get to a big show, they're definitely there. They're always supporting me," Witten said of his college buddies.

He packed about five people into his room in New York this week — "Don't tell the hotel," he said with a smile — and now that Witten has a Grand Slam match victory to his credit, their stay in the Big Apple has been extended.

As Witten prepared to face Andreev, he said, "everybody seemed to be my coach the last few days."

One particular person provided some advice that stood out, though.

"I hit with John McEnroe the other day, and he was really being helpful," Witten said. "He was trying to give me pointers."

They worked, apparently.

AP