Virginia

Make it Eight Straight Sets for @MaryDuqueMarino as she advances to @TinsleyClassic Final in Charlottesville

Posted by Admin on April 28, 2018
Posted in: Boyd Tinsley Classic, Charlottesville, University of Virginia, Virginia, WTA. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Make it Eight Straight Sets for Duque-Marino as she advances to TinsleyClassic Final in Charlottesville

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Mariana Duque-Marino made it four straight matches without dropping a set at the 2018 Boyd Tinsley Women’s Clay Court Classic in Charlottesville, Virginia with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over American Jennifer Brady. Both players came out tentatively, and Duque-Marino even gave up a break on a

double-fault before settling down to take the first set and the match.  “I think I did a lot of double faults because she was pressuring me with her forehand,” she told me after the match. “So if I didn’t put the first serve on the court, I would have to run–a lot. That’s why I was trying to force the second serve a little bit,” she continued. “My forehand was very good and with my slice, very happy today.”

Boyd Tinsley Women's Clay Court Classic Trophy

Boyd Tinsley Women’s Clay Court Classic Trophy

Duque-Marino will put her 8 set win streak on the line tomorrow against either Taylor Townsend or Anhelina Kalinina of Ukraine. Townsend beat Duque-Marino in 3 sets last week in the Dothan final. I pointed out the Boar’s Head trophy, which stood nearby and asked if she’d like to take the glass and metal violin trophy home with her tomorrow.

“It’s different. I never had one of those ones, but tomorrow I hope to play the same like the matches before.” she said with a smile.

—S. Fogleman, Tennis Atlantic

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Semifinals Saturday is on @TinsleyClassic in Charlottesville

Posted by Admin on April 28, 2018
Posted in: Charlottesville, USTA, USTA Pro Circuit, Virginia. Tagged: , , , , , , , . Leave a comment
Mariana Duque Marino, 2018 Boyd Tinsley Women's Clay Court Classic

Mariana Duque Marino, 2018 Boyd Tinsley Women’s Clay Court Classic

Rain delayed the start of Friday’s quarterfinals, but the action got underway just after noon and the opening matches weren’t particularly close. Jennifer Brady and Katerina Stewart both tortured each other with drop shots until Brady prevailed 6-3, 7-5. Brady faces 4 seed Mariana Duque-Marino in today’s semifinal as Duque-Marino won her third match in straight sets in 26 hours, a 6-4, 6-1 drubbing over the listless Grace Min, who played well yesterday.

The afternoon quarterfinals matches offered a little more action for the fans. Mari Osaka was a tiny giant awakened after losing the first set and down two breaks in the second set against Anhelina Kalinina. The Ukrainian, a former US Open Juniors finalist and an Australian Open Girls Doubles Champion, had a powerful forehand that started to stray, but she found her game long enough to get through the third set and the match, 6-2, 7-6(5), 7-5.

Sesil Karatantcheva raced to a 6-3 first set against Roland Garros Wild Card leader Taylor Townsend, then watched as the Houdini in Townsend made another appearance.  Townsend took the second, 6-4, and then the two traded breaks in the third. By the time they were playing the third set tiebreak, the American crowd had little doubt as to who would win. Taylor won the tiebreak at 2.

Jen Brady, 2018 Boyd Tinsley Women's Clay Court Classic

Jen Brady, 2018 Boyd Tinsley Women’s Clay Court Classic

—S. Fogleman, Tennus Atlantic

From 32 to 8, Charlottesville’s @TinsleyClassic on Track for Exciting Weekend Finish

Posted by Admin on April 27, 2018
Posted in: Charlottesville, ITF, USTA, USTA Pro Circuit, Virginia, WTA. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

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When the weather cooperates, the Boyd Tinsley Women’s Tennis Classic in Charlottesville, VA, is one of the best tennis experiences in the world. I’ve been through monsoons here and I’ve been through beautiful spring days. And Thursday was a beautiful day on the Har-Tru at the Boar’s Head Sports Resort. 16 first round matches and 8 second round matches were on order due to Wednesday’s rainout. It was perfect for the fans and for the dogs. I saw more dogs today at a tournament than I have ever seen before. It’s called “growing the sport.”

Conditions were a little doggy for the players in the early going. For the first players on the courts on Thursday, the surface played very slow. After Allie Kiick beat Louisa Chirico before 11 a.m., she told me that “we were both hitting” dropshots and that “for two whole games, we had nothing but dropshots.”

Jen Brady and Allie Kiick needed three sets to open the day, with both staging comeback wins over Irina Falconi and Louisa Chirico respectively. In the 2nd round, it was all Jen Brady from the start and she advanced to a quarterfinal match today against Katerina Stewart.

Camilla Rosatello needed little time to dispatch Olga Ianchuk, who immediately went behind the court and sobbed into a phone call after the match. Cheer up, Olga! Mariana Duque-Marino spoiled my debut of Iga Swiatek 7-6(3), 6-3, and in the nightcap, Duque-Marino proved the tougher competitor in  a 6-2, 6-3 sweep of Rosatello. She’ll face the plucky Grace Min today for a spot in the semis.
As for Min, she beat an error-prone Jamie Loeb yesterday morning before taking out Sophie Chang in the nightcap. Chang continued to impress since Charleston with a 7-5, 7-5 win over Victoria Duval earlier in the day.

Top seed Madison Brengle looked out of form, in all of her talking to herself idiosyncratic ways and plaintively looking at her mother in the stands all day. She wasted little time taking out American Maria Sanchez in straights in the first round and then completely fell apart in the round of 16, losing 6-2, 6-1 to Mari Osaka. Osaka plays Anhelina Kalinina later today.

Speaking of dogs: Ashley Kratzer celebrated with her dog, Koa, after a win over Lizette Cabrera in the morning. In late afternoon, she faced Sesil Karatantcheva. That’s when Krasher’s real dog days began. Karantantcheva advanced to play Taylor Townsend, 6-2, 7-6(5).

And then there’s Taylor Townsend. Inching ever closer to the Roland Garros Wild Card, she made another big step forward yesterday to make the quarters at this $80,000.00 event. The window is closing on other Americans to step up and make it a race. With Brady, Stewart and Min the only other Americans still standing at Charlottesville, a semis showing here should nearly wrap it up for Townsend. She showed yesterday that she is heads above the talent field at this level and it’s good to see her succeed.

—S. Fogleman, Tennis Atlantic

 

Charlottesville ITF Indoor Qualifying: Blame it on the Rain

Posted by Admin on April 26, 2017
Posted in: Charlottesville, USTA Pro Circuit, Virginia. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment
Boar's Head Resort (Photo: TennisAtlantic.com)

Boar’s Head Resort (Photo: TennisAtlantic.com)

I had a strange dream. I dreamt I went to Charlottesville, like I do every year for the ATP Challenger. I stayed at the same hotel as I always do. I went to the same brewpubs I always do. I watched some hard court indoor tennis like I always do. Then, I realized the players in the Challenger were women and I woke up.

Boyd Tinsley Classic (Photo: TennisAtlantic.com)

Boyd Tinsley Classic (Photo: TennisAtlantic.com)

Days of constant rain in Virginia turned the Boyd Tinsley Clay Court Classic into the spring indoor classic. Madison Brengle, the tournament’s top seed at #100, dispensed shopping tips to the younger players on tour as she sat near the entrance of the facility all weekend talking about which tournaments offer the best hospitality on the road. (Correction: It was all about shopping, I later learned).

Boyd Tinsley Classic (Photo: TennisAtlantic.com)

Boyd Tinsley Classic (Photo: TennisAtlantic.com)

I love qualifying, perhaps because the crowds are lighter or because the players are hungrier. As usual, I was one of two fans in the stands, with a smattering of players, coaches and tournament volunteers scattered throughout the giant Boar’s Head Resort’s indoor facility.

Sunday’s qualifying found the pros relegated to the dungeon courts, where there was no access to watch anything but the match near the net. The University of Virginia women’s team was hosting and they got first dibs on the indoor show courts.

I came for the surface. After Charleston, I can’t just jerk back to hard courts. But Mother Nature had other ideas. And so it was that I didn’t see a single point or practice on the clay.

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I did see some ferocious competition in the likes of Julia Elbaba, playing on her alma mater terra sancta and almost qualifying on will alone, or the awkward effectiveness and endurance of Elizaveta Ianchuk (the Ukranian who’s been here three years in a row) or the punchy counter-attacking of Robin Anderson. Or how about 18-year-old racket tosser Ashley Kratzer, ferocious on court like Barbora Strycova but as quiet and mild-mannered as a teen-ager can be off court. How about the quiet clapping of Carol Zhao’s parents, overjoyed by their daughter’s wins but clapping so softly, as if their own parents were in an adjoining bedroom? On another note, I don’t think I’ve ever been to a 9:00 a.m. match start before at a tournament. Some players are barely awake.

The good news, if you live within three hours of Charlottesville is that the weather forecast is about to break wide open as spring’s wild variations usually do. In two days, no one will remember the constant rain in Charlottesville. I will. It can be so lonely on the tour. The rain has a way of incessantly reminding you of that loneliness. And then you look down on court where a 26-year-old is looking back at her coach after an unforced error, and you’re sitting next to him. And she looks almost right at you, asking “why am I doing this?” It makes you question why any of them don’t hang it up if they haven’t reached the top 100 by the time they’re 24. Regardless, they soldier on. That doesn’t take away from the pain in their eyes, the second-guessing, the constant moving about to cheap hotel rooms, traveling like a band of one where nobody’s ever heard their hit song. You have to remind yourself that these players are here by choice. For the most part, they’re adults. You have to remind yourself that these players aren’t forced into this lifestyle by an authoritarian government. But sometimes, that doesn’t seem apparent at first glance. May the heavens shine down on them and make all of them top 20 players someday.

The sun can’t shine soon enough on Charlottesville and the determined women at the Boyd Tinsley Clay Court Classic. Today is forecast to be partly cloudy and 79 degrees.

—S. Fogleman (the S is for Soggy)

Malek Jaziri Enters Main Draw Field @USTA ProCircuit @CVilleTennis #AustralianOpen #WildCardKickoff

Posted by Admin on October 26, 2015
Posted in: ATP, ATP Challenger, Charlottesville, University of Virginia, Virginia. Tagged: , , , , , , . Leave a comment

MALEK JAZIRI HEADLINES MAIN DRAW FIELD AT CHARLOTTESVILLE MEN’S PRO CHALLENGER

Boar’s Head Sports Club to Host $50,000 USTA Pro Circuit Event, October 31-November 8

Jaziri (photo credit Esam Taha)

Jaziri (photo credit Esam Taha)


CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia, October 26, 2015 – The USTA announced that Malek Jaziri of Tunisia headlines the competitors for the Charlottesville Men’s Pro Challenger benefiting Special Olympics Virginia a $50,000 USTA Pro Circuit event, at The Boar’s Head Sports Club, October 31-November 8.

The tournament is the 14th USTA Pro Circuit men’s Challenger event of the 2015 season. It is the first of three consecutive $50,000 Challenger tournaments held on hard indoor courts with the intention to help develop players while leading up to the 2016 Australian Open. Overall, the Charlottesville Challenger is the only USTA Pro Circuit men’s event (Futures and Challengers combined) scheduled to take place in the USTA Mid-Atlantic section in 2015.

Currently No. 92, Jaziri is the highest-ranked of the 22 men who received direct acceptance into the 32-player main draw. Thirty-two players will compete in the qualifying tournament October 31-November 2, for four other berths. The local tournament organizers and the USTA will also award wild card entries to complete the field.

Jaziri is playing some of his best tennis and is having a stellar singles season. Just two weeks ago, Jaziri reached the finals of the Open De Rennes Challenger in Rennes, France losing in a tight three set match against Igor Sijsling. In August, he reached the semi-finals of the Winston-Salem Open, a ATP World Tour 250 series event, where he lost to eventual champion Kevin Anderson, 4-6, 3-6.

Jaziri is part of a strong main draw field that includes defending champion James Duckworth. Duckworth is looking to collect his third USTA Pro Circuit title after winning the 2014 Kentucky Bank Tennis Championships earlier in 2014. On the American side, Tim Smyczek is one of ten Americans in the main draw field. Also playing is Frances Tiafoe, a College Park, MD native who recently rose to fame after clinching the Har-Tru Wild Card Challenge this past May.

Charlottesville Facebook Page

Admission to the Charlottesville Men’s Pro Challenger benefiting Special Olympics Virginia is free and open to the public, thanks to the generosity of the tournament’s sponsors.

*Field of Play is subject to change.

–J. Stuckey, USTA

Charlottesville Challenger Qualifying Begins Today; Saturday OOP

Posted by Admin on October 25, 2014
Posted in: ATP, ATP Challenger, Charlottesville, USTA, Virginia. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .
Kudla Returns to Charlottesville

Kudla Returns to Charlottesville

It’s time for me to turn off Tennis Channel and go watch some live matches again. Tennis returns to the East Coast today, as 16 qualifying matches get underway at the stately Boar’s Head Resort in Charlottesville, Virginia. Many fans will be thrilled to see the return of 2012 champion Denis Kudla, who skipped last year to compete in qualifying at the Paris Masters. Kudla might be the only one who isn’t thrilled to be here, as his ranking has flat-lined since Paris. This would be an opportune time for Kudla and others to ramp it up in time for the ‘Happy’ Slam.

Speaking of champs, defending champ Michael Russell returns to Charlottesville at 36 1/2 years old. Russell’s 2014 highlight was a berth in the semis at Memphis.

Summer Surpriser Sam Groth is also in Charlottesville. Groth dazzled in Newport by reaching his first ATP semifinal this summer before winning his first grand slam match at the US Open six weeks later.

Robby Ginepri will also be in town, looking to snatch another grand slam wild card from an up-and-comer.

I’m looking for the next generation to rise up during this Wild Card Challenge. Kudla, Stefan Kozlov, Dennis Novikov, Rhyne Williams, Chase Buchanan, Eric Quigley, Tennys Sandgren, Noah Rubin and the rest of the youngsters could turn the tables on Ginepri, Odesnik, Russell and Ram this year.

Aside from my American pride, the event will also serve as a timely test for players on the rise like Daniel Taro, Gastao Elias and Liam Broady.

Charlottesville always provides an interesting contrast to me after covering ATP events throughout the summer. It’s Pro Sports without the Pro Paycheck. A main draw entry earns you $520 and players carry their laundry around in their racket bags all week. Some spend their off-time looking to catch a ride to Knoxville, Tennessee, the site of the next challenger and Round 2 venue of the Australian Open Wild Card Challenge. The wild card is the real prize here, not the little trophy and the $7,200 paycheck to the winner. A leg up in the  Wild Card Challenge standings and a chance to play in the main draw in Melbourne motivates them all.

The USTA cheaped out in cancelling the AO Wild Card Playoffs in suburban Atlanta after a six year run. I jinxed it when I said in years past that it was the one thing the USTA did well. I always felt so conflicted complimenting the White Plains Trash, and I don’t have to anymore. The Playoffs always provided a packed house of fans and possessed a charged-up feeling, unlike these challengers, where you can hear a pin drop on center court even after match point. Perhaps the trio of Charlottesville, Knoxville and Champaign will get a small bump in attendance and on-line viewership. The Challengers and the excellent people who organize them and compete in them deserve that. But we all know that’s not going to happen. Thanks, USTA, for cancelling the only event you didn’t run into the ground. It’s now time to drown my sorrows in some quality live tennis in Central Virginia.

 

Charlottesville Facebook Page

CHARLOTTESVILLE MEN’S PRO CHALLENGER – CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA, USA
$ 50,000.00
27 OCTOBER – 2 NOVEMBER 2014

ORDER OF PLAY – SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2014
COURT 7 start 10:00
Qualifying

First Round
[1] L Lokoli (FRA) vs. B Schnur (CAN)
J Shane (USA) vs. R Bogaerts (BEL)
[WC] J Richmond (USA) vs. A Ritschard (SUI)
L Burton (GBR) vs. [7] S Bangoura (USA)
[2] K King (USA) vs. [WC] H Wiersholm (USA)
[WC] J Cornish (GBR) vs. E Elliott (USA)
A Carter (USA) vs. [WC] R Shane (USA)
J Dadamo (USA) vs. [5] M Giron (USA)
[3] D Nguyen (USA) vs. A Halebian (USA)
N Kryvonos (USA) vs. R Schneider (USA)
S Bader (AUT) vs. E King (USA)
[WC] L Corinteli (USA) vs. [6] J Spir (COL)
[4] M Willis (GBR) vs. N Rubin (USA)
[WC] J Aragone (USA) vs. B Lock (ZIM)
G Ouellette (USA) vs. M Reyes-Varela (MEX)
T Kwiatkowski (USA) vs. [8] F Nielsen (DEN)

Not Before 12:00 noon
Qualifying – [WC] J Richmond (USA) vs A Ritschard (SUI)
Qualifying – M Willis (GBR) vs N Rubin (USA)

Not Before 15:00
Qualifying – A Carter (USA) vs [WC] R Shane (USA)

Not Before 16:30
On First Available Court – Qualifying – [WC] J Aragone (USA) vs B Lock (ZIM)

COURT 9 start 10:00
Qualifying – L Lokoli (FRA) vs B Schnur (CAN)
Qualifying – D Nguyen (USA) vs A Halebian (USA)

Not Before 12:00 noon
Qualifying – J Dadamo (USA) vs M Giron (USA)
Qualifying – [WC] J Cornish (GBR) vs E Elliott (USA)

Not Before 15:00
Qualifying – [WC] L Corinteli (USA) vs J Spir (COL)

COURT 10 start 10:00
Qualifying – N Kryvonos (USA) vs R Schneider (USA)
Qualifying – G Ouellette (USA) vs M Reyes-Varela (MEX)

Not Before 12:00 noon
Qualifying – L Burton (GBR) vs S Bangoura (USA)
Qualifying – S Bader (AUT) vs E King (USA)

Not Before 15:00
Qualifying – K King (USA) vs [WC] H Wiersholm (USA)

 

—S. Fogleman

TARA FITZPATRICK-NAVARRO NAMED NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR @USTAMIDATLANTIC #DC #VA #WV #MD

Posted by Admin on May 16, 2014
Posted in: Maryland, Tennis Lessons and Instruction, USTA, Virginia, Washington. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

USTA MID-ATLANTIC SECTION NAMES TARA FITZPATRICK-NAVARRO AS NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Tara Fitzpatrick-Navarro

Tara Fitzpatrick-Navarro


Reston, Va., May 16, 2014 – The United States Tennis Association Mid-Atlantic Section (USTA/MAS) announced today that it has appointed Tara Fitzpatrick-Navarro as its Executive Director.

USTA/MAS is one of 17 sections of the United States Tennis Association and is committed to promoting tennis by offering quality recreational and competitive programs for people of all ages and abilities. USTA/MAS has been part of America’s official governing body for tennis since 1923 and serves nearly 40,000 members in the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia as well as eastern and southern West Virginia. Tennis players are involved in leagues, tournaments and diverse programs sanctioned by the Section.

USTA Mid Atlantic Annual Conference

In her new role as Executive Director, Fitzpatrick-Navarro will be responsible for leading USTA/MAS’s dedicated team of professionals while guiding the organization to new levels of operating success, progressive visibility and prominence. She will also be responsible for promoting and growing the game of tennis in the region and building sustainable partnerships between the association and the constituency it serves.

“Joining USTA/MAS as Executive Director enables me to marry my dual passions for the recreation industry and association management into one ideal position,” said Fitzpatrick-Navarro. “USTA/MAS’s commitment to its membership and the sport of tennis provide a strong base of success and accomplishment that I look forward to building upon in my new role.”

USTA

Fitzpatrick-Navarro brings extensive experience in association management, including leadership in the areas of membership, education, research and professional development. Fitzpatrick-Navarro served for 10 years in positions of increasing responsibility at the National Recreation and Park Association, where most recently she was Vice president, Membership, Research and Professional Development. In this position, she oversaw a department of 18 full-time professional staff that was responsible for the organization’s education, certification, publications, accreditation, research, and membership engagement and development.

Prior to that, she held several other key positions in NRPA’s education and professional development divisions, including Director of Certification and Accreditation, Director of Education and Research and Chief of Knowledge and Learning. She also served as Director of Education and Training at Splash Aquatic Management and Therapeutic Recreation Manager and Director of Senior Centers for the Fairfax, Va. County Government.

“Tara’s deep experience in association management, coupled with her long and distinguished career in the field of recreation make her the perfect choice to lead USTA/MAS and help it advance its mission of promoting tennis through quality recreational and competitive programs for people of all ages and abilities,” said John Raker, USTA/MAS executive director search committee chair. “We’re thrilled to welcome Tara aboard.”

The search was conducted by association and non-profit search experts Vetted Solutions.

—C. Miller, USTA/Mid-Atlantic

International Tennis Returns to Maryland As @ITF_Tennis Grade 1 Juniors Do Battle @The JTCC

Posted by Admin on August 7, 2013
Posted in: ITF, Junior Tennis, Junior Tennis Champions Center, Maryland, Tennis Center at College Park, Virginia, Washington. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

JUNIOR TENNIS CHAMPIONS CENTER TO HOST INTERNATIONAL TENNIS FEDERATION JUNIOR TOURNAMENT IN AUGUST
USTA Upgrades Second-Annual Tournament to Grade 1

Trice Capra at the JTCC

(College Park, Md.) August 7, 2013 – The Junior Tennis Champions Center of College Park will host the second-annual International Tennis Federation Grade 1 Junior International Hard Court Championship Aug. 19-24. The Grade 1 tournament will feature 64 boys and 64 girls in the expanded draw tournament. The tournament also features girl’s and boy’s doubles.

Marika Akkerman, 2012 ITF Prince George's County, Maryland

Marika Akkerman, 2012 ITF Prince George’s County, Maryland

The tournament kicks off in College Park on Aug. 9-11 with the USTA Hard Court Championship Wildcard Tournament which is open to all USTA players ages 18 and under. In addition, the Junior Tennis Champions Center will also host the USTA Hard Court Championship Qualifying Tournament Aug. 17-18 before the USTA Hard Court Championship on Aug. 19-24. This is the first time the Junior Tennis Champions Center will host a USTA Grade 1 tournament.

Frank Tiafoe of the JTCC

Frank Tiafoe of the JTCC

“It is an honor to host the International Tennis Federation and the USTA Hard Court Championship,” said Ray Benton, chief executive officer of the Junior Tennis Champions Center at College Park. “In just its second year, the tournament is already a must-play for junior tennis players. With its designation as a Grade 1 tournament, this year’s championship will attract top junior talent. We are thrilled to be chosen by the ITF and USTA to host this event.”

“The USTA is pleased that the USTA Hard Court Championship is returning to the Junior Tennis Champions Center – this year as an International Tennis Federation Grade 1 tournament. The field was strong in 2012 and will likely be stronger this year,” said Lew Brewer the director of junior competition for the USTA. “The facility is outstanding and the staff at the JTCC do a great job making the players feel special. We think the tournament has found a great home at the JTCC in College Park and we hope to keep the tournament here for many years to come.”

JTCC Chief Ray Benton

JTCC Chief Ray Benton

The upgrade to a Grade 1 event makes the JTCC one of only three ITF Grade 1 tournaments within the United States, the other two being the Easter Bowl in Palm Springs, Calif. and the Orange Bowl in Bradenton, Fla. The Junior Tennis Champions Center hosted the inaugural International Hard Court Championship (Grade 2) last year when Jamie Loeb won the girls singles and Wayne Montgomery won the boys singles.

WTA Debutante Usue Arconada (Photo: S. Fogleman)

JTCC Standout Usue Arconada (Photo: S. Fogleman)

The Junior Tennis Champions Center (JTCC) a 501(c)(3) organization, is a world-class training facility located at The Tennis Center at College Park. Its goal is to provide the athletic and academic instruction needed for talented and highly committed young people to excel both on the tennis court and in the classroom. Since its inception in 1999, JTCC has placed all 95 of its graduates at top universities, with graduates earning more than $1.6 million in athletic scholarships.

@USTAMidAtlantic Plans Northeast Inter-Regional Junior Championships #DC #MD #VA

Posted by Admin on June 1, 2013
Posted in: Junior Tennis, Maryland, USTA, Virginia, Washington. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

USTA

USTA ANNOUNCES NORTHEAST INTER-REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

The tournament will provide a high-level competitive opportunity for players from multiple USTA Sections.

RESTON, Va. – The USTA/Mid-Atlantic Section announced the creation of the inaugural Northeast Inter-Regional Championships, a junior event that is the collaboration of four USTA Sections: the Mid-Atlantic, New England, Middle States, and Eastern. The tournament will take place July 1–3, 2013, throughout the four Sections.

The Championships will have eight age divisions, Boys’ and Girls’ 12s, 14s, 16s and 18s. All divisions will compete at separate facilities on clay in preparation for the upcoming USTA National Clay Court Championships. The beautiful Glenmore Country Club, in the historic Charlottesville, Va., area was selected to host the Girls’ 12s draw.

“I’m delighted to bring the event to Glenmore, showcasing our 12 clay court facility and the Virginia countryside,” said Director of Tennis and Chairman of the USTA Tennis on Campus Committee, Don Paitrick.

Three other draws will be hosted in the Mid-Atlantic Section. East Potomac Tennis Center in Washington, D.C., will host the Boys’ 14s draw, Suburban Club in Baltimore, Md., will host the Boys’ 16s, and Woodlake Country Club in Richmond, Va., will be the site of the Girls’ 18s.

32 highly ranked junior players will enter each draw, earning ranking points in their home Section. Draws will be filled by each Sections quota spots which are determined by the size and strength of each Section. Mid-Atlantic will have seven spots, Eastern will have 12, Middle States will have seven, and New England will have six.

—USTA MAS

 

University of Virginia’s Sanam Singh Sneaks Past Bradley Klahn to Win @CalabasasTennis Futures Title

Posted by Admin on March 18, 2013
Posted in: University of Virginia, USTA, Virginia. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment
Sanam Singh (photo courtesy of Hindustan Times)
Sanam Singh (photo courtesy of Hindustan Times)

 

CALABASAS, Calif., (March 17, 2013) – Former NCAA singles champion Bradley Klahn had his chances and he knew it. But in the end, he couldn’t hold off the tenacious former Virginia All-American Sanam Singh from India, who captured the USTA Men’s Pro Tennis Championships of Calabasas on Sunday, 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (3).

Down 0-2 in the third set, and 15-40 serving, Singh awoke from his self-described sleep” to save a total of four break points and win the third game of the final set on the final day of play at the Calabasas Tennis and Swim Center. “I don’t know how, but I was able to come back and win that game,” the No. 6-seeded Singh said. “It would have been really tough to come back from two breaks down if I would have lost that one.”

The No. 2-seeded Klahn said he “let his foot off the gas” in the third and simply gave Singh too many chances. “You can’t give a player like that a chance to get back in the match,” said Klahn, who next heads to Orange County and a first-round match in three days at the Costa Mesa Futures event. It was the first time the two former collegiate stars had played against each other as the 25-year-old Singh improved to 7-1 in ITF Futures singles finals in his career. Both players traded breaks of serve in the crucial sixth and seventh games as Klahn took the 4-3 lead in the third set following a Singh double-fault on a Klahn ad.

But Singh stayed with it, producing some nice all-court shots and even a few timely drop shots, including one beauty in the tiebreaker that gave him an insurmountable 4-0 lead. “He’s really good,” Singh said of Klahn. “I think he’s a lot better than 210 (Klahn is currently No. 223) in the world. He puts a lot of spin on his forehand. Of his lapse in play following a solid first set, Singh said: “I went away for about 45 minutes. Maybe I was back in India somewhere”. Klahn concluded: “I thought I started out a little sluggish. It’s frustrating. But that’s tennis. You learn from your mistakes and hopefully come back and be better for it”.

Singh rested for about 45 minutes, but then came back to win the doubles with partner and fellow countryman Saketh Myneni. The pair beat Korea’s Yong-Kyu Lim and Ji Sung Nam, 6-7 (3), 6-2, 14-12.

Sunday’s Singles Final

Sanam Singh (IND) [6] def. Bradley Klahn (U.S.) [2] 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (3)

Sunday’s Doubles Final

Saketh Myneni (IND) / Sanam Singh (IND) def. Yong-Kyu Lim (KOR) [4] / Ji Sung Nam (KOR)

—S. Pratt