Georgia Tech's Kevin King Gives Gold Medalist Nicolas Massu "Muchas Problemas"

NORCROSS, Georgia - Even a Georgia Tech student like Kevin King will tell you that sometimes statistics don't tell the whole story.

Such was the case in the first round qualifying match between former top-10 player and 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist Nicolas Massu and a young college player from Peachtree City, GA. Currently a college player at Georgia Tech, Kevin King started out like the title of a famous Meat Loaf song. The venue was the stadium court at the Atlanta Tennis Championships, and ATP 250 event and the first event of the 2011 Olympus U.S. Open Series, so King felt at home.

While Massu had enough to pull the match out 6-4 in the third set, King so dominated the match in statistics that it is hard to believe he didn't take the upset victory.

King frustrated the Chilean Davis Cup vet for a set and a half until Massu destroyed a racquet frame and found his range. Following the match, Massu didn't talk to reporters, instead he stated, "muchas problemas."

King notched more aces, fewer double faults, better serve return and second serve point won stats than the 31-year old Massu.

While King has probably played more tennis in recent months than Massu, college tennis isn't life on the ATP Tour. Massu showed what experience means in the men's game and he took the big aggressive game of King down to size winning the second set in a dramatic tiebreak.

Massu appeared to thrive on the momentum and jumped out to a quick break in the third. He mixed in drop shots and found the range on several passing shots making King question his net rushing game plan.

King was impressive hitting deep approach shots and accurate volleys, but he shortened up the swing on his backhand as the match went on and eagle-eyed Massu saw an opportunity.

Massu may have grabbed the victory this time, the Yellow Jacket gained possibly more experience in one match than he might get in an entire college season. He went head to head with a player who was one of the world's best and you hate to say it, but the youngster should've won.

Should've, could've, would've; they are all terms tennis players hate. A term tennis players love is "confidence", I'm sure even in defeat, King is beaming with confidence. Hopefully he shows some of that confidence, continues to dominate the statistics, and gets a win as he is in the main draw of doubles this week in Atlanta.