New Local Ownership of @VolvoCarOpen Good for Tournament, Good for Southern Tennis Fans

Posted by Admin on September 19, 2018
Posted in: Charleston, Volvo Car Open, WTA. Tagged: , , , , , , , . Leave a comment
Daria Kasatkina, 2017 Volvo Car Open (Photo: Tony Callaio)

Daria Kasatkina, 2017 Volvo Car Open (Photo: Tony Callaio)

DANIEL ISLAND, S.C. – Ben Navarro, the CEO of Charleston-based Sherman Financial Group and the founder of education non-profit Meeting Street Schools, has acquired the sanction of the WTA Volvo Car Open along with the operations of the Family Circle Tennis Center and Volvo Car Stadium. With this change, Charleston Tennis LLC will now become a locally-owned and operated organization.

“I look forward to building on the current tournament tradition that is already 47 years in the making with the Volvo Car Open,” said Navarro. “Bob Moran and his team have created a tennis legacy in Charleston with the event and its facilities. Our goal is to continue to grow the tournament’s impact, promote junior tennis in Charleston, and make the sport more accessible for all. Personally, Charleston Tennis LLC’s mission of giving back and making a positive influence on our community align with my family’s values and beliefs.”

“I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know Ben over the last year through his commitment to growing tennis here in Charleston. His club LTP Tennis has hosted numerous ITF and junior tournaments culminating with the US Girls Clay Court National Championship, held this past July,” said Bob Moran, President of Charleston Tennis LLC. “I’m blown away with not only Ben’s commitment to tennis, but his love for this community. His work with Meeting Street Schools is truly inspiring. Our team is excited to get started building towards the 2019 Volvo Car Open and working with Ben and his team to create an even bigger and better experience for our players, fans and partners. With this commitment and investment to build world-class experiences by our new owner, and the support of our title sponsor, Volvo Car USA, we will continue to remain a vibrant part of the Charleston community for years to come.”

Shelby Rogers, 2017 Volvo Car Open (Photo: Tony Callaio, Tennis Atlantic)

Shelby Rogers, 2017 Volvo Car Open (Photo: Tony Callaio, Tennis Atlantic)

The Volvo Car Open is the largest women’s-only tennis tournament in North America. The international event attracts players and fans from across the globe and reaches more than 20 million fans worldwide via The Tennis Channel and international broadcast partners. The Family Circle Tennis Center is a public tennis facility with 20 championship courts and a 10,200-seat stadium. The center is a year-round facility with daily adult and junior tennis programing, including an on-site, full-time tennis academy. In addition, the stadium hosts an annual concert series and a broad range of programs and events.

The Volvo Car Open contributes a direct impact of 30 million dollars into the local economy each year through visitors, hotels, restaurants, travel and tourism. Indirectly, the tournament generates billions of impressions through its international broadcast, press coverage and ad campaign, all collectively promoting the Lowcountry domestically and abroad. The tournament is responsible for housing all players, officials, out-of-town staff and domestic and international TV production crews. More than 2,500 room nights the week of the Volvo Car Open are booked for staffing alone. This does not account for the tournament’s average of 90,000 attendees, in which 50 percent are from out of town and who will shop, dine and take in attractions while attending the event.

Steve Simon, WTA CEO and Chairman stated, “Rooted in the WTA’s rich history as one of the very first tournaments in 1973, it is a pleasure to see both the tradition and growth of this event continue. We are delighted to welcome Ben’s ownership to the Volvo Car Open and look forward to the positive impact this will have on the continued success of one of the premier women’s tennis events in the world.”

In conjunction with Tennis Channel and WTA Media, the Volvo Car Open is showcased from the first ball struck in main draw competition to the last ball played in finals, throughout the U.S. and 174 international partners. The tournament receives more than 100 hours of tennis; live from Charleston, broadcast across the globe to millions of fans.

Navarro is also the owner of LTP Tennis Club in Mount Pleasant, S.C. He and his wife are avid tennis fans and their four children play the sport.

“The opportunity to partner with someone so passionate about tennis and our community is a perfect fit,” said Moran.

The 2019 Volvo Car Open will take place March 30 – April 7. The tournament will continue to be operated by Charleston Tennis, LLC. Daily procedures and current staff will not be affected by the acquisition.

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2018 @ConnecticutOpen Smashes Records, Hints at 2019 Date Change

Posted by Admin on September 19, 2018
Posted in: Connecticut Open, WTA. Tagged: , , , , , , . Leave a comment
Aryna Sabalenka, 2018 Connecticut Open, (Photo: Mike Renz for Tennis Atlantic)

Aryna Sabalenka, 2018 Connecticut Open, (Photo: Mike Renz for Tennis Atlantic)

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (Sept. 19, 2018) – A maiden WTA title winner in Aryna Sabalenka, four of the top 10 players in the world, a spectacular launch at Yale’s Sterling Library and a week-long festival of events and charity initiatives combined to help the 2018 Connecticut Open become the third-best attended WTA-only event in the world this year.

One of the strongest player fields in recent history, plus an Invesco Series QQQ Men’s Legends event featuring John McEnroe and won by Connecticut’s own James Blake and the return to New Haven of former World No.1 and Grand Slam champion Lindsay Davenport, added up to attendance topping 50,000 for the fourth consecutive year.

Aryna Sabalenka, 2018 US Open (Photo: Tennis Atlantic) 

“This summer’s tournament created a buzz that we haven’t felt around the site in a number of years,” said Tournament Director Anne Worcester. “We witnessed the birth of a new star for women’s tennis in Sabalenka and we were treated to matches worthy of the latter stages of a Grand Slam right from our first round. We expanded the off-court festival experience, this year with the help of new and returning sponsors staging more fan-friendly activities such as the Avangrid Power Zone which included selfies with players, the Yale Street Fair and our inaugural Beer Fest at the Connecticut Open on finals Saturday.”

While the tournament demonstrated growth with the addition of new sponsors, most notably in Avangrid and Hearst CT Media Group, Worcester confirmed it had once again fulfilled its non-profit mission by giving back to the communities it serves. “Many of our fans, sponsors and partners share our vision and commitment to benefitting the local community,” Worcester added. “We our delighted to confirm that we set several records this year in terms of our fundraising efforts.”

Coming off a successful 2018 event, and in order to build on more than two decades of success, the tournament will spend the next few months evaluating options on how to build for the future, delivering the best value to the community, fans and sponsors, with future developments including a potential summer date change.

Mikhail Youzhny Bids Farewell in St. Petersburg @Formula_TX

Posted by Admin on September 17, 2018
Posted in: ATP, St Petersburg Open, Steen Kirby. Leave a comment

Mikhail Youzhny Bids Farewell in St. Petersburg
Steen Kirby, Tennis Atlantic

The ATP 250 in St. Petersburg, Russia features a host of young guns, and is also the send off tournament for retiring former top 10 player Mikhail Youzhny.

Top Half:

Top seed Dominic Thiem had a strong US Open, that should set him up to defeat Andrey Rublev or J.L. Struff in round 2. Rublev has been in poor form and would love to bounce back in a home tournament. The in-form Denis Istomin will face Mikhail Kukushkin, with Russia’s Daniil Medvedev favored against the tricky Joao Sousa. Medvedev should defeat Sousa and Istomin before upsetting Thiem in front of home fans in the quarterfinals.

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I’ll back the retiring Youzhny to make a run, he has a decent draw, Mirza Basic is not strong, while Roberto Bautista Agut is out of form (and faces a qualifier in round 1). I’ll back Youzhny over Basic and RBA, fueled by emotion. Marcos Baghdatis or Lukas Lacko will await in the quarters, Baghdatis will face Marco Cecchinato if he beats Lacko. Cecchinato is a poor hard court player. I have Youzhny into the semifinals.

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Bottom Half:

Fabio Fognini over Denis Shapovalov should decide the bottom section, Fognini faces Martin Klizan or Evgeny Donskoy first, Shapovalov comes off Davis Cup facing a qualifier, with Matteo Berrentini or Guillermo Garcia-Lopez to follow. Fognini has a great shot at this title.

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Another potential winner, Karen Khachanov, faces Stan Wawrinka or Aljaz Bedene first, presuming he can get past Wawrinka at home, Khachanov will be favored opposite Damir Dzumhur, Guido Pella, or one of two qualifiers in the quarters. I’ll back Khachanov into the semis.

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Predictions

Semis
Medvedev d. Youzhny
Khachanov d. Fognini

I’ll predict an all-Russian final, with Khachanov edging Medvedev to take the title.

Final
Khachanov d. Medvedev

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Returns to the ATP Tour @MoselleOpen 2018

Posted by Admin on September 17, 2018
Posted in: ATP, Metz, Steen Kirby. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Returns to the ATP Tour at ATP Metz 2018
Steen Kirby, Tennis Atlantic

The ATP World Tour returns with a 250 in France on indoor hard courts. The tournament in Metz attracts many home stars and a host of other talents coming off the US Open and Davis Cup duty.

Top Half:

US Open semifinalist Kei Nishikori is the top seed and will be favored against Jo Wilfried-Tsonga or Peter Gojowczyk in his first match. Tsonga has been out almost the entire season with knee problems and Nishikori is in good form. Talented 20 year old Ugo Humbert is on the cusp of the top 100 and has a good shot at the quarterfinals given his current form. Humbert opens with a qualifier, Nikoloz Basilashvili or a qualifier will be next. Basilashvili’s experience makes him favored to reach the quarterfinals against Nishikori, but Humbert is a dark horse. Nishikori should win the section if fit.

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Home hero Lucas Pouille is in poor form, Jaume Munar is in the section as well and should be favored against a qualifier. Quentin Halys is in good form and I’ll back him to upset Benoit Paire in a battle of Frenchmen. Philipp Kohlschreiber should beat a struggling Mischa Zverev, with Kohlschreiber expected to beat Halys/Paire, and then Pouille in the quarters.

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Bottom Half:

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Stefanos Tsitsipas will be favored against Max Marterer or an out of form Ricardas Berankis first up. Radu Albot or Pierre-Hugues Herbert will face Adrian Mannarino or Marton Fucsovics first up. Mannarino should win his first two matches with Tsitsipas beating Mannarino in the quarters.

One of the tournament and fan favorites, Richard Gasquet, will be favored to win his section. Jurgen Zopp/qualifier stand in the way, with Jiri Vesely/Gilles Simon, and Filip Krajinovic/Corentin Moutet also in this section. I have Vesely beating a disappointing Simon, and Moutet upsetting Krajinovic on home court. Gasquet over Vesely should decide the section.

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Predictions

Semis
Nishikori d. Kohlschreiber
Gasquet d. Tsitsipas

Nishikori and Gasquet are on track to face off in the final, with Nishikori favored to lift the trophy after a strong US Open performance.

Final
Nishikori d. Gasquet

Novak Djokovic Ties Pete Sampras with 14 Grand Slams

Posted by Admin on September 9, 2018
Posted in: ATP, Steen Kirby, US Open. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Novak Djokovic Ties Pete Sampras with 14 Grand Slams
Steen Kirby, Tennis Atlantic

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The big three for more than the past decade are well on their way to ensuring they finish as the three greatest players of all time, now that Novak Djokovic has tied Pete Sampras with 14 Grand Slams. Djokovic claimed his second Grand Slam of 2018 with a 6-3 7-6 6-3 victory in the US Open final over Juan Martin Del Potro. It’s also the third US Open for Djokovic and his first since 2015.

Djokovic  had to battle for the final despite the routine scoreline, Del Potro’s forehand was troublesome and a highly partisan crowd tried to carry him to a win. Del Potro came up just short in the second set tiebreak and in the third set he was simply exhausted, a fitter Djokovic covering the court with ease and winning all the clutch points.

Djokovic will now be racing to reclaim the world #1 ranking after a confident week in New York that started slow, but finished with glory. The 31 year old Djokovic dropped sets against Marton Fucsovics and Tennys Sandgren, but then rolled through Richard Gasquet, Joao Sousa, John Millman, and Kei Nishikori. They all battled, but Djokovic had an answer for everything they threw at him. Millman reaching the quarterfinals after stunning a horribly out of form Roger Federer in the 4th round, Federer wilting in the humidity as Millman claimed the win of his life.

Del Potro, back in a slam final for the first time in nearly a decade, deserved all the praise he got. The Argentine dropped just one set prior to the final as Donald Young, Denis Kudla, Fernando Verdasco, Borna Coric, John Isner, and an injured Rafael Nadal all fell before him. Nadal’s knees gave way in their semifinal and he was forced to retire after two sets, in a match he was surely going to lose retirement or not. A second Grand Slam still escapes Del Potro.

In the doubles final Jack Sock and Mike Bryan won their second straight slam, defeating Lukasz Kubot and Marcelo Melo. Bryan hasn’t missed a step since brother Bob suffered a hip injury.

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Francesca DiLorenzo Versus The @USOpen Kissing Bandit

Posted by Admin on August 30, 2018
Posted in: US Open. Tagged: , , , , , . Leave a comment

Former NCAA Doubles Champion Francesca DiLorenzo now has another record, and it’s a unique place in US Open history. She’s the only player who’s ever had a kiss planted on them by a fan. At least the only one I ever witnessed. I did the math and I’ve been to 16 US Opens since 2001, and I have never seen or heard of a random fan stealing a kiss from  a competitor. If you’ve been here, you know that security is pretty tight. If you don’t believe me, try getting to the lower level of Arthur Ashe with an upper level ticket. But that’s exactly what happened to DiLorenzo after her first round win on Tuesday in New York. A much older guy asked for a photo and gave her a peck on the cheek before DiLorenzo knew what was happening.

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“That was very weird for me,” she told me today after a second round match. “I took a picture with the guy and then he then he literally came over and gave me a kiss on the cheek. I mean, maybe if it was somebody younger, like more my type. Maybe he’s Italian, but I don’t know. Pretty strange. Definitely one of those strange encounters. He was a little bit older. I didn’t know what to do. I was very shocked. I just took the picture and left. Yeah, too bad he wasn’t younger or anything.”

The bandit is still at large. If you have any information on this man, please contact his grown children.

—Steve Fogleman, Tennis Atlantic

Aliaksandra Sasnovich: Fighting for a Grand Slam Title in New York and a Melting Pot in Minsk

Posted by Admin on August 30, 2018
Posted in: US Open, WTA. Tagged: , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Aliaksandra Sasnovich, 2018 US Open (Photo: Tennis Atlantic)

Aliaksandra Sasnovich wants you to know that reaching the third round of the US Open is not her biggest win yet. “I don’t think so,” the 24-year-old from Belarus said today after her match. “I have a lot of good matches. This is one of them but it’s not my biggest and I think my biggest is in front of me.” Sasnovich was speaking about her win over Daria Kasatkina of Russia, 6-2, 7-6(3) win on the Grandstand.

And it didn’t feel as easy as the score suggests. “It was 1:34 but it feels like we played three hours,” she said, “because a lot of points, a lot of you have to move, and Dasha’s a really good player. She’s 11 in the world.  It was difficult for my mentality so I’m really happy with this win. It was difficult conditions for both. Probably I want to win more today. ”

She credited a change in her style for causing havoc to Kasatkina today.

“I started not to play 2-3 shots, I started to play 5, 6, 7, 8 or more (shots),” she said. “I have to play, you know, not just ‘boom boom’. I have a good tactic against her because we’ve played a lot of matches and I know what I need to know.”

“My concentration was very good today.”

She won’t dwell on the victory for a minute.

“It feels really good, but I’m moving forward,” Sasnovich said. “I have the next match. #31 is not a goal for me, you know? I have to improve like all the players who want a better ranking. I improved some part of my game, for example to compare with last year and this year, I think I’m totally another player…better forehand, better serve. I think I’m a better player than last year. I don’t want to compare with someone else, I want to compare with myself.”

What is it about Belarus and three third rounders at the US Open?

“Of course, three girls top 32, so I’m really proud of the girls for our country, but I think after Fed Cup, when they played the finals, quarterfinals, and semifinals in Minsk, a lot of people were coming to see our match and some of them, they didn’t know what is tennis, and when they saw tennis in life, they’d probably seen it on TV, in life, it was good popularization and they took their child on the court and they wanted to play them professional. They want my country to be more improving in tennis, and they think we can have more good players.”

“I wish luck on all the other Belarusian players that we can go on to the next round for popularization of tennis in our country.”

Next up is Naomi Osaka, another tough ask for any player on the tour and one that can’t be forgotten for coming back from a 0-5 deficit in the second set.

“Yeah, it was a good match, it was good conditions (Tokyo 2016), I remember we played inside. It was very humid. I lost 6-3 the first set, and I was 5-0 up in the second set and I lost the set, but it was two years ago. It was so, so long time ago. She was different, I was different.”

And here’s a twist: She’s a fondue junkie who wants a Melting Pot in Minsk.

“I really love the Melting Pot, in America. Fondue. I want to open one and it’s no joke. I really wanted to open the fondue in my country, but it was a small secret. Now it’s not secret anymore. But I want to open the cheese fondue and chocolate fondue, with milk chocolate and white chocolate with strawberry, banana, fruits, some marshmallows.”

She’ll have a day to relax before preparing for Osaka. In the downtime, she’ll eat and be a tourist.

“So I really like to eat. Probably I will go to Central Park today or the Empire State Building. My coach will give me one or two hours. I will probably go to cinema to see a movie. To relax, to be out of the tennis for evening and night.”

She’s happy to hear that the scorching conditions are about to let up.

“It’s better for us, for all the players. because it’s better to play when it’s 25 or 26, degrees than when it’s 35. It feels like 41. So I’m happy for all the girls who are going to play in that condition.”

She’s one win away from tying her best grand slam result at Wimbledon this year. It’s been a pleasure to watch this player progress through the years and now I’ve got to take care of my Fondue craving as soon as I get out of Queens.

—Steve Fogleman, Tennis Atlantic