Main Draw Set @USTAMacon50K, Qualifying Begins

MACON, Georgia, (October 18, 2014) Singles qualifying begins on Sunday, October 19 at 9:30 a.m.at Stratford Academy for the 2014 Tennis Classic of Macon.

30 players will compete for four qualifying spots on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday morning.

Featured matches on Sunday include former University of Florida star, Allie Will taking on No. 5 seed, Jasmine Paolini of Italy. Not before 11;30, Mari Ozaka of Japan takes on Jacqueline Cako and not before 3:30, former world No. 7 Nicole Vaidisova takes on Macon teenager, Ariadna Riley.

Four courts will feature qualifying action on Sunday.

“It’s a great qualifying draw,” says Mercer Head Men’s and Women’s Tennis Coach, Eric Hayes. “There are going to be some great matches and this sets us up for the rest of the week. The weather is going to be perfect and this is what we work all year for.”

This is one of the three fall events where U.S. players can earn points for the USTA’s wildcard into the first major of 2015.

You can see the qualifying draw here: http://assets.usta.com/assets/1/15/qualifying_draw382.PDF

Additional 2014 Tennis Classic of Macon facts:

Headlining this year’s Macon 50K field is veteran Mirjana Lucic-Baroni, who defeated Venus Williams to win the WTA event in Quebec City, last month. Americans, Madison Brengle and defending champ Anna Tatishvilli are also scheduled to return to Middle Georgia. Also in the field are three players with Georgia connections in Melanie Oudin, Irina Falconi and Grace Min.

Even Brian Earley, Director of the USTA Pro Circuit is impressed with what could be Macon’s field.

Brian Earley

“The USTA Tennis Classic of Macon will feature one of the strongest fields on the USTA Pro Circuit, with at least four women in the top 100 players on the WTA computer. Due in equal parts to its timing (after the WTA season has concluded), geography and the fact that the Americans are playing for a possible spot in the main draw of the Australian Open, we love that the winner in Macon will have earned the title over some of the best players in the world.”

Hayes says once again the tournament will host a pro am where local tennis players can play against the pros. A “players party” will also be held this year at Twangs, a local restaurant.

Live streaming of the USTA Pro Circuit can be viewed on the USTA Pro Circuit’s website at http://www.procircuit.usta.com.

—Rick Limpert