MANILA, Philippines - Fil-Am Treat Conrad Huey and British partner Dominic Inglot’s dream run in the US Open came to crashing halt as the duo lost to 10th seed Ivan Dodig of Croatia and Marcelo Melo of Brazil, 5-7, 3-6, in the quarterfinals at the Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York early yesterday (Phl time).
The quarterfinal effort, however, was the best finish by Huey and Inglot, who were ranked 16th here, in any Grand Slam event and should hike their rankings in the Association of Tennis Professionals.
The 28-year-old Huey and the 27-year-old Inglot are currently ranked 32nd and 38th in the world.
After stunning No. 3 Marc Lopez and Marcel Granollers, Huey, in particular, was bidding to become the first Filipino to make it to the semis in the US Open or any Grand Slam event.
On their way to the quarters, Huey and Inglot downed Austrians Julian Knowle and Jurgen Melzer, 6-2, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (5), in the opening round and Czech Republic’s Lukas Dlouhy and Italy’s Daniele Bracciali, 6-3, 6-3.
The good thing though is that Huey could fly to the Phl early as he will join the team that will play higher-ranked New Zealand in their Group II Asia-Oceania Zone Davis Cup promotional tie set Sept. 13-15 at the Plantation Bay Resorts and Spa in Lapu Lapu City.
Huey’s teammates in the tie, which will stake a slot in Group I next year, are fellow Fil-Am Ruben Gonzales, Johnny Arcilla and Francis Casey Alcantara.