Bodo: Encouraging signs for Americans in Madrid

10:38 AM ET

Wednesday in Madrid was not only the longest day in recent American tennis history, it was one of the most encouraging. The results were mixed, the effort was not.

American players went 3-3. Even the losers went down swinging.

More important: Half a dozen players from the U.S. were still in contention midweek. Are we becoming a nation of clay-court specialists?

Hardly.

Wednesday began with good news for feisty American qualifier Louisa Chirico, who had already eliminated No. 14 seed Ana Ivanovic back in the second round. Chirico’s next opponent, No. 4 seed Victoria Azarenka, the odds-on favorite to win the event, withdrew with a bad back.

Chirico is one of a number of improbable quarterfinalists in this surprise-laden tournament. That’s good news for the 19-year-old from New Jersey, who’s ranked No. 130.

Sam Querrey had to break a sweat to deliver his good news. He survived a gut-check three-setter against dangerous qualifier Lucas Pouille 6-7 (5),6-3, 6-4.

Editor’s PicksMurray beats Simon to reach Madrid quarterfinals

Andy Murray put on another impressive performance on clay Thursday, defeating Gilles Simon 6-4, 6-2 to reach the quarterfinals of the Madid Open.

Things went south shortly thereafter, but not without exemplary resistance. Christina McHale, the other Jersey woman in the draw, is ranked No. 59 — 25 spots below Irina Camelia Begu. But McHale battled her Romanian opponent for more than 2½ hours before succumbing 6-7 (6), 6-4, …

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