Chang proves he's not finished yet

Michael Chang's 7-6 (9-7) 6-1 victory over Zimbabwe's Byron Black in the first round of the Washington Classic on Monday proved one thing.

He's not done yet.

"I know I'm in the twilight of my career," Chang said of his victory over Black.

"My best years are in the past. I don't know for sure if I'll be playing much past this year but as long as I'm working hard and having fun, I'm not ready to go yet."

Chang won his only Grand Slam title in 1989 at the French Open when he was still a wide-eyed 17-year-old new to the pro tour.

He's come close a few other times with runner-up finishes at the Australian Open (1996), French (1995) and U.S. Open (1996) but the past few years his tennis has been up and down.

"When the time comes, I'll know," said Chang, who has won the title two times in Washington.

Chang said he sees the changing of the guard on the pro tour more than ever this year as a whole new generation of younger stars are proving they're nearly ready to take over.

But, he said, his generation isn't quite ready to give up.

"It's a little stubbornness on our part," Chang said.

"And the young guys aren't quite ready either, maturity wise."

One thing that inspired Chang to keep fighting despite a 10-16 record in 2001 was 29-year-old Goran Ivanisevic's stunning victory at Wimbledon this year.

"He came from absolutely nowhere," Chang said.

"It's just a great tennis story and quite an inspiration. I'd love to follow in his and Andre (Agassi's) footsteps."

Rain Delay
The matches were delayed by a 90-minute rainstorm in the late afternoon shortly after play started, putting the schedule behind.

Meanwhile Justin Gimelstob, an American whose booming serve raised expectations when he joined the professional tour five years ago that he would be the next great American player, lost to former college rival Cecil Mamiit 6-3 6-2.

For Mamiit, who had never beaten Gimelstob in numerous tries in college and the pros, the victory was sweet.

"He has a lot of firepower," Mamiit said.

"Usually, he just steamrolls me. I've been his pigeon, that's for sure.

"It is such a relief. I think you gain a whole new level and maybe it gets you over that hump. He's one of the last guys that I've played a lot that I've never beaten."

Gimelstob said the loss was one more disappointment in a woeful year.

"I've really tried everything," Gimelstob said.

"Different coaches, different trainers, working with a lot of different people. It's tough to play well without confidence and it's tough to have confidence if you're not playing well.

"But this is by far the lowest I've ever been and these are the worst results I've had in my pro career."

In other first round results Peter Wessels of the Netherlands beat Italy's Gianluca Pozzi 7-6 (7-3) 6-4 while Chile's Nicolas Massu beat Britain's Martin Lee 6-4 7-6 (7-2).