NEW YORK -- Aging American Todd Martin showed an up-and-comer a thing or two.
He served and volleyed, he mixed finesse with power, he entertained.
Martin outlasted countryman Robby Ginepri, 13 years his junior, 6-7 (2), 7-6 (4), 6-4, 6-4 Saturday night to reach the U.S. Open round of 16.
This is a remarkable run for Martin, who was bounced in the first round at Flushing Meadows a year ago. He hasn't gone this deep in the draw of the season's final Slam since reaching the semifinals in 2000, a year after losing in the 1999 final to Andre Agassi.
"This was great," Martin said. "I was down and out in the second set and Robby was playing great. I thought we both were playing great the first two sets. I changed my return game and it paid off -- just in time."
The crowd seemed to love both men, struggling to decide just who it wanted to win. The 33-year-old Martin made it easy for the fans to root for him, however.
"Score another one for the gray hairs, huh?" said Ted Robinson, who called the match on television with John McEnroe.
Martin is the second-oldest player in the men's field behind Agassi, who is two months his elder.
Martin exhibited the exuberance more typical of the talented young crop of Americans on tour than the players who soon will be on their way out.
He pumped his arm and held it in position for several seconds after winning big points. He let three straight tosses drop to the ground when they blew in the breeze, then waved to the stands before finally making contact on the next toss. Ginepri appeared irritated during the sequence.
Martin even looked up to McEnroe in the broadcast booth in hopes of receiving a little help on the line calls.
Martin hit fewer winners (54) and aces (15) than the 20-year-old Ginepri, who had 62 winners and 21 aces, but also 52 unforced errors.
Martin jumped to a 4-1 lead in the second-set tiebreaker before Ginepri hit back-to-back aces. Martin answered with a big first serve that didn't come back and then an ace of his own before taking the set two points later.
"It was as close as you could get to being two sets to love down," he said.
He eagerly left the interview room later.
"Can I go to bed now?" he said, quickly making his exit.
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