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MARYLAND’S FRANCES TIAFOE PRESENTS $50,000 GRANT TO JTCC

Posted by Admin on April 11, 2024
Posted in: Junior Tennis Champions Center, Maryland, USTA. Tagged: , , , , , . Leave a comment

Funds are part of the USTA Foundation’s Frances Tiafoe Fund,which aims to support the National Junior Tennis & Learning Network

COLLEGE PARK, Md., April 11, 2024 – The USTA Foundation, the charitable arm of the United States Tennis Association Incorporated (USTA), awarded a $50,000 grant to the Junior Tennis Champions Center (JTCC) in College Park, Md. Professional tennis player and JTCC alumnus Frances Tiafoe presented the grant Wednesday at the JTCC’s GEICO Champions Celebration presented by Amazon and the Bisnow Family. The funds will help support JTCC programming.

The grant is part of the USTA Foundation’s Frances Tiafoe Fund, established in July 2023, which aims to support the foundation’s flagship National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) network. The network, created in 1969 by tennis legend Arthur Ashe, Charlie Pasarell and Sheridan Snyder, provides under-resourced youth with free or low-cost tennis and academic programming, helping facilitate their success both on and off the court. As someone who grew up in the NJTL network, the mission of the USTA Foundation is personal to Tiafoe and pivotal in his tennis journey. He started playing the game at JTCC when he was 4 years old; his father served as the facility’s head of maintenance after immigrating from Sierra Leone in 1996.

Today, the NJTL network includes more than 250 chapters and reaches more than 150,000 youth nationwide. The Frances Tiafoe Fund is utilized, in part, to support chapters such as JTCC, which every year provides more than 1,400 youth with tutoring, tennis instruction, life skills training, college preparation and tennis equipment.

“I wouldn’t be where I am today without the support of everyone at JTCC,” said Tiafoe. “It means a lot to me to be able to pay it forward and help the next generation of kids have access to the same opportunities as I did. It’s an amazing feeling to be able to give back through the USTA Foundation’s Frances Tiafoe Fund.”

“For 25 years, JTCC has transformed lives through sport and education by providing tennis for everybody, and we are proud of the impact we’ve made in Prince George’s County and beyond,” said Ray Benton, JTCC CEO. “Frances is an incredible role model to kids everywhere, and it’s an honor to have him return to the place where it all started and help us move our mission forward.”

“Frances has turned his success on the court into a platform for advocacy, passionately working to ensure that under-resourced youth have the opportunity to unlock their potential through tennis and education,” said USTA Foundation CEO Ginny Ehrlich. “His commitment to opening doors for the next generation reflects not only his exceptional character but also his belief in the transformative power of sport and learning.”

To learn more about the Frances Tiafoe Fund and the USTA Foundation, please visit ustafoundation.com and follow @USTAFoundation on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

—USTA

OPINION: As Much as Anything, COVID-19 Threatens Fan Experiences at 2020 Tournaments

Posted by Admin on March 6, 2020
Posted in: ATP, Charleston, Indian Wells, Miami, WTA. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

OPINION: As Much as Anything, COVID-19 Threatens Fan Experiences at 2020 Tournaments
Steve Fogleman, Tennis Atlantic

Nicolas Mahut nicomahut • Instagram photos and videos

The BNP Paribas Open today announced measures to cope with the somewhat-sensationalized threat of the spread of the latest coronavirus infecting humans and destroying retirement accounts. Among them are guaranteed refunds, hand sanitizing stations, no one but players touching their own towels, gloved ball people, and this one: “Organized player and fan interaction will be limited at the tournament.”

For those of us who haven’t been frightened to death by round-the-clock coverage of this flu, this news will be a setback for fans planning to attend. In the midst of the current occupant of the White House running the country into the ground and other bad news on television every night, I know I’ve been plowing into sports as a refuge and I suspect there are millions more like me.

COVID-19

Johns Hopkins University, located in Baltimore, is the host of the early rounds of the NCAA Division III basketball tournament. They made news yesterday by announcing that their games would be played without fans. If Baltimore was Beijing and if Indian Wells were instead Wuhan, I’d understand the drastic measures.

I suspect that the term “organized player and fan interaction” means more than a couple of autograph sessions. It is highly likely that the policy will curtail post-match, spontaneous “player and fan interaction” as well. Security guards love to boss around the teeming tennis masses as they ask for a selfie, and this will give the muscle another opportunity to exercise their snooty dominion over spectators and players. All of this portends for a poorer fan experience at the tournament, and the possibility that subsequent cities on the American mini-swing such as Miami and Charleston, will be forced to follow suit to prevent them being seen as insufficiently prepared.

If the measures taken at the Tennis Garden are in fact, in place to protect players, then why wouldn’t the sport already limit player/fan interactions? Illness to a player, even for a week, can potentially cost them hundreds of thousand of dollars in lost income. Influenza A is far more common than COVID-19, and if a fan sneezes on a player while requesting an autograph, the results could be equally problematic.

I can only hope that this will be the last time these policies are put in place at a professional sporting event in 2020. For those who have died from or contracted COVID-19 or any form of influenza, I feel great sorrow. This, though, seems to be going too far and will cause unnecessary anxiety on the most vulnerable of groups: children and the elderly. Let’s hope the only hysteria we are left with by the end of 2020 is directed on court on a rising star, like Coco Gauff, Bianca Andreescu or Leylah Fernandez.

The tournament’s full statement is below:

“Following the direction and guidance of Dr. David Agus, Professor of Medicine and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Southern California, and Martin Massiello, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Eisenhower Health, the BNP Paribas Open is taking action to continue prioritizing the health and safety of the fans, athletes, and everyone involved with the tournament.

First and foremost, any patron who has purchased tickets directly from the tournament may request a refund for the 2020 tournament, or a credit for the 2021 tournament. Patrons can visit http://www.bnpparibasopen.com/coronavirus to request a refund or credit.

Additional actions include:
More than 250 hand sanitizing stations have been placed throughout the facility

Players will be required to manage their own towel on court and ball kids will not touch or move player towels.

A chair will be placed at the back of the court for them to place their towel on for usage during the match.

Ball kids will wear gloves

Restaurant and food supply workers will wear gloves

Volunteers taking tickets at entrances will wear gloves

N95 masks are being secured for first aid and health personnel to be prepared for any circumstances that would necessitate the use thereof

Organized player and fan interaction will be limited at the tournament

All common areas throughout the facility will be cleaned daily with an antiviral application

Coordinating with local hospital and CDC approved testing for all individuals with symptoms

Further actions are being considered and evaluated on a daily basis in order to continue to ensure the safety of everyone associated with the event.”

Qualifying Week @USOpen Gets Better Every Year

Posted by Admin on July 24, 2019
Posted in: ATP, US Open, US Open Qualifying, WTA. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Viktoria Kuzmova,, 2017 US Open

Viktoria Kuzmova,, 2017 US Open

Qualifying Week @USOpen Gets Better Every Year

Time was when a tennis fan could go to the qualies down at the National Tennis Center and feel like they were getting away with something. The crowds were lighter and the concession lines were shorter. The secret slowly sneaked out over the years and the USTA embraced the growing interest in what is now Fan Week. Though any old timer is wistful about some changes, Week Zero of the Open is going to feel more like the main draw party it’s become.

This year the USTA is opening up Ashe during Fan Week and featuring nightly concerts and legends matches. Couple that with more autograph opportunities and seeing big players practicing on big courts and you’ve got an event that dwarves many other tournaments main draw excitement. If the New Haven Open WTA premier tournament was still around, this would have surely killed it off, with free admission to Fan Week.

–Ed.

FLUSHING MEADOWS, N.Y., July 24, 2019 – The USTA today announced that US Open Fan Week, a week-long tennis and entertainment festival, will kick-off the 2019 US Open and run from Monday, August 19 through Sunday, August 25, on the grounds of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.  Anchored by the US Open Qualifying Tournament, the week’s activities also include free evening concerts, open practices featuring the world’s top players, a new Kids’ Zone and a host of other family activities and special events created to give fans more access to the world-class US Open experience.  All activities scheduled during the week are free and open to the public.

Francesca DiLorenzo, 2018 US Open (Photo: Tennis Atlantic)

Francesca DiLorenzo, 2018 US Open (Photo: Tennis Atlantic)

The new Fan Week Center Stage located in the South Plaza will serve as home for many activities, including a nightly Heineken Happy Hour, free Chase Sound Check evening concerts, the US Open Draw Ceremony, Tennis Talks and Legends Interviews, and other entertainment events.  The stage will be programmed daily from Tuesday through Friday.  Other major US Open Fan Week events include the 24th annual Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day, taking place on the grounds and inside Arthur Ashe Stadium on Saturday, August 24, a US Open Pride Event to be held on Thursday, August 22, public access to US Open Media Day on Friday, August 23, and a new Net Generation Kids’ Zone presented by Emirates that will be located in Backyard Court 17.

A full list of events, which can be accessed at usopen.org/fanweek, include:

Tennis Activities:

US Open Qualifying Tournament: 128 men and 128 women compete to qualify for the final 16 positions in the main draws of the US Open.  The qualifying tournament, which offers the fifth- largest purse for a tennis event in the U.S., takes place from Monday, August 19, through Friday, August 23.

Featured Practices:  From Tuesday through Friday from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm, top ATP and WTA players will be showcased in featured practices in the Grandstand.  Players will sign autographs for fans at the conclusion of each practice.

Legends Matches presented by Mercedes-Benz: A series of late-afternoon Legends matches with a targeted 4:30 pm start time will take place in Grandstand from Wednesday through Friday.  Wednesday’s match will feature John McEnroe and Jim Courier, with Thursday’s pitting Andy Roddick against James Blake.  Friday’s featured match will be a women’s doubles match featuring Martina Navratilova, Tracy Austin, Lindsay Davenport and Aranxta Sanchez Vicario.  Other former players and tennis celebrities will be added to the schedule closer to the start of Fan Week.

On-Going Activities:

Fan Week Center Stage: This stage will serve as the focal point for all Fan Week activities and the site of all major Fan Week Events.  The hosted stage will include player interview and autograph opportunities, as well as ticket and merchandise giveaways, and will be the site of free pop-up entertainment and special guest appearances.

Access to Arthur Ashe Stadium: For the first time during Fan Week, fans will be able to register to gain access to Arthur Ashe Stadium which is typically closed to the public prior to the main draw of the US Open.  The stadium will feature top player practices and other activities over the course of the week.

US Open Fan Access Pass: Similar to past years, fans can register for US Open Fan Access Pass for and have a chance to win tickets and prizes.  Fans who sign up for Fan Access Pass can make  the most of their Fan Week experience and gain access to reserved seating in Grandstand for featured practices and Legends matches as well as access to Arthur Ashe Stadium.  Those who register for Fan Access Pass are also entered into drawings for the chance to win US Open tickets and other prizes.

US Open Experience: Fans will be able to take in the total US Open Experience which includes a vast array of food offerings, unique merchandise and shopping opportunities and a wide range of activations hosted by US Open sponsor in booths located across the site.

Family Activities:

Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day powered by Net Generation: The 24th annual Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day will take place on Saturday, August 24 throughout the grounds of the National Tennis Center, with a concert and television program taking place in Arthur Ashe Stadium.  Again this year, access to the grounds and all grounds activities are free.  For the first time, courtesy of the USTA Foundation, general admission promenade seats in Ashe Stadium for the concert are free. Reserved Courtside and Loge tickets are available for purchase via Ticketmaster.com.

Net Generation Kids’ Zone presented by Emirates: At the Net Generation Kids’ Zone presented by Emirates, located at Backyard Court 17, fans of all ages can play in a range of fun sports activities, including tennis target practice, soccer dribbling, a basketball shootout, golf putting challenge, an agility course and a hockey shooting accuracy area. The Kids’ Zone introduces fans to the USTA’s American Development Model: a multi-sport approach to building tomorrow’s future athletes and tennis greats.

Holiday Inn Kids Eat Free: Kids eat free at Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts – and will be able to do the same during Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day and US Open Fan Week, as well. In partnership with Honest Juice, the Holiday Inn brand will provide free meal vouchers to kids 12 and under (limit two per family).

Festival Elements: The USTA will bring some of the most popular elements from Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day powered by Net Generation to the Fan Week Grounds, including face painting, roving performers and pop-up performances.

Evening Events:

Heineken Happy Hour: Taking place on the Fan Week Center Stage, the Heineken Happy Hour will be held Tuesday through Friday from 6pm to 8pm.  Each night, the Happy Hour will feature top DJs, including DJ Niks, DJs Coco and Breezy, and DJ MAAD.  Drink specials will be available from 6pm to 7pm all four nights.

Chase Sound Check: For three evenings, from Wednesday, August 21, through Friday, August 23, US Open sponsor Chase, will bring an exciting line-up of live music to the Fan Week Center Stage through the Chase Sound Check platform. The concerts will follow Happy Hour and begin at 8 pm.  Check usopen.org/fanweek for the full schedule.

Special Events:

US Open Draw Ceremony: The US Open Draw Ceremony, which determines the match-ups  and order of play for the main draw of the US Open, will take place on Thursday at noon, at the Fan Week Center Stage.  The ceremony will feature top ESPN talent and analysts discussing all of the tournament’s potential highlights, and potential pitfalls.  The ceremony concludes with a special appearance by US Open defending singles champions Novak Djokovic and Naomi Osaka.

US Open Pride Event: On Thursday, August 22, the US Open will host a special Pride event in Louis Armstrong Stadium from 6:30-7:30 pm, entitled “LOVE ALL – An Open Conversation.” The event will feature former athletes and other notables who will comment on the role of sports, and especially tennis, in, and on the LGBTQ+ community.

US Open Media Day: Scheduled for Friday, August 23 at 11 am, in Louis Armstrong Stadium, fans will have free access to US Open Media Day at which the international tennis media interview top male and female players. Players participating in the 2018 US Open Media Day included Roger Federer, Sloane Stephens, Rafael Nadal, Simona Halep, Andy Murray, and Caroline Wozniacki. In addition, other tennis players and Hall of Famers are scheduled to be part of the interview rotation that fans are welcome to observe.

–USTA

Taylor Fritz Wins First Career ATP Title in Eastbourne

Posted by Admin on June 29, 2019
Posted in: ATP, Guest Writer, LTA, On Site, WTA. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Taylor Fritz Wins First Career ATP Title in Eastbourne
Eric Han for Tennis Atlantic

Embed from Getty Images

In the All-American final at the 2019 Eastbourne International, Taylor Fritz beat his compatriot Sam Querrey straight sets 6-3 6-4 to claim his first ATP title in his career.

Speaking after his press conference, Fritz said: “It’s, like, it’s unbelievable. The feeling still hasn’t fully set in. I have wanted to win a title for so long, ever since making the final in Memphis when I was so young. So it’s been — you know, I have been thinking about it for a long time. I’m so happy I finally got it.”

Fritz was in control throughout the whole match and Querrey could not find any rhythm to play the match on his own terms.  Whenever there was a opportunity for Querrey to break back and even the match, Fritz looked focus and seemed to always come up with a first serve to extend his lead.

I asked Fritz in the press conference whether he agreed with this idea and he commented: “Yeah, like I just said, I feel like I can always come up with my best in the big moments, or if I’m not playing my best, I can just kind of find a way to tough it out and come through in those moments. It’s one of the biggest strengths that I have. Yeah, it’s just coming up with what I need when I need it.”

He also credited his coaching team composed of Paul Annacone and David Nainkin that helped him reach this point of his career.

“One thing we have all worked on as a team so much is working on my net game and coming into net more, because with the big groundstrokes, you get a lot of, you know, balls that you can finish the point at the net. So it’s been a long process trying to work on that.

“We are still working on it. We have worked a lot on my serve consistency, because one thing that’s been a problem about me winning a title or going deep is I’ll serve good, serve good, serve good, and then just have one day where I can’t put a serve in the court. We have worked a lot on that. My serve’s improved so much.”

“That’s one thing I stress to them as a player, telling the coach, is I want to improve, you know, where I’m not that good but I also want to strengthen my best shots so they become even more dominant, and so that’s something we have all worked on. And also tons of work in the gym, getting stronger, getting faster. Yeah, it’s all showing.”

Fritz will have little time to celebrate, as he will have to face former Wimbledon finalist, Tomas Berdych, in the first round at Wimbledon on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, on the women’s side, the second seed Karolina Pliskova defeated the defending Wimbledon champion, Angelique Kerber comfortably in straight sets 6-1 6-4 to claim her second Eastbourne International title.

Quick Qualifying Concludes Today @NewYorkOpen

Posted by Admin on February 12, 2018
Posted in: ATP, ATP Qualifying, New York, New York Open. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

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Under the retired Number 32 banner, the number belonging to pro basketball legend Julius Erving at NYCB Live, Liam Broady won the first set and the first match of the Inaugural New York Open, an ATP 250 tour event in Uniondale, NY on Sunday on Stadium Court. He played a familiar foe in countryman Cameron Norrie. For his part, Broady will face Adrian Menendez-Maceiras and be relegated to the Grandstand Court today. Stadium Court, like the sports history memories made within the former Nassau County Veterans Coliseum hosting this tournament is an American showcase today.

Chris Eubanks takes on compatriot Ernesto Escobedo, Bjorn Fratangelo faces Alex Bulbik from Kazakhstan and Jared Donaldson meets big Croatian Ivo Karlovic. And that’s just the day session. Tonight’s line up on the same court features Ryan Harrison against Donald Young and Frances Tiafoe looking to spoil Sebastian Korda’s tour level main draw debut.

Eubanks effectively breezed through his match yesterday against top qualifying seed Taro Daniel in 71 minutes and seemed to draw a lot of inspiration from the section full of American players there to cheer on their man. He can expect more of that today, and I expect that he will overcome Escobedo, a player with more experience at the pro level.

The last time Stefano Travaglia came to New York, he qualified for the U.S. Open. Today, he faces Tim Smyczek on grandstand court in an attempt to qualify for the New York Open. In a two round qualifier, anything can happen. And I believe Travaglia will head into a New York main draw for the second consecutive time.

–S. Fogleman

RESULTS – MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2018
Qualifying – [WC] C. Eubanks (USA) d [1] T. Daniel (JPN) 7-5 6-3
Qualifying – [2] B. Fratangelo (USA) d [WC] G. Kushnirovich (USA) 6-4 6-2
Qualifying – [Alt] L. Broady (GBR) d [3] C. Norrie (GBR) 6-4 7-6(7)
Qualifying – [4] T. Smyczek (USA) d M. Mmoh (USA) 6-2 6-3
Qualifying – [5] A. Menendez-Maceiras (ESP) d [Alt] D. King (BAR) 7-6(6) 7-5
Qualifying – [6] A. Bublik (KAZ) d S. Ofner (AUT) 7-5 6-1
Qualifying – [7] E. Escobedo (USA) d R. Ramanathan (IND) 7-5 6-3
Qualifying – [8] S. Travaglia (ITA) d P. Polansky (CAN) 5-7 6-4 6-4

ORDER OF PLAY – MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2018

STADIUM COURT start 1:00 pm
Qualifying – [WC] C. Eubanks (USA) vs [7] E. Escobedo (USA)
Qualifying – [2] B. Fratangelo (USA) vs [6] A. Bublik (KAZ)
J. Donaldson (USA) vs I. Karlovic (CRO)

Not Before 7:30 pm
[6] R. Harrison (USA) vs D. Young (USA)
F. Tiafoe (USA) vs [WC] S. Korda (USA)

GRANDSTAND start 1:00 pm
Qualifying – [Alt] L. Broady (GBR) vs [5] A. Menendez-Maceiras (ESP)
Qualifying – [4] T. Smyczek (USA) vs [8] S. Travaglia (ITA)
D. Sela (ISR) vs [8] N. Basilashvili (GEO)
P. Gojowczyk (GER) / T. Huey (PHI) vs [WC] M. McDonald (USA) / M. Schnur (USA)

Strong Field for an ATP 250 @NewYorkOpen

Posted by Admin on January 3, 2018
Posted in: ATP, New York, New York Open, USTA. Tagged: , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Strong Field for an ATP 250 @NewYorkOpen

Sam Querrey

LONG ISLAND (January 3, 2018) – The New York Open ATP World Tour tennis tournament will make its debut Feb. 11-18 with a player field highlighted by four of the world’s top-25 ranked players, the No. 1-ranked players from South Africa, Japan, Korea, and Israel, and nine Americans who have been accepted directly into the singles main draw.

Kevin Anderson, 2012 ATP Washington, Copyright TennisEastCoast.com

Anderson

Kevin Anderson, South Africa’s top ranked player and No. 14 in the world, has committed to play. Anderson holds three career titles and made it to the finals of the 2017 US Open. He also reached the quarterfinals of the 2017 ATP World Tour Masters 1,000 in Montreal, as well as the finals of the Citi Open ATP 500 tournament in Washington, DC.

Kei Nishikori (Photo: Christopher Levy @Tennis_Shots)

Kei Nishikori (Photo: Christopher Levy @Tennis_Shots)

Early commitments for the singles draw included top 50-ranked players Sam Querrey (No. 13); 2017 BB&T Atlanta Open and Hall of Fame Open champion John Isner (No. 17); four-time Memphis Open champion and world’s former No. 5 player Kei Nishikori (No. 22); 2017 Memphis Open winner Ryan Harrison (No. 47), and 2017 Next Gen ATP Finals champion Hyeon Chung (No. 58).

American players Steve Johnson (No. 44), Jared Donaldson (No. 54), Donald Young (No. 61), and Frances Tiafoe (No. 79), and former junior Wimbledon champions Noah Rubin and Reilly Opelka round out the strong U.S. field for the New York Open, the first U.S. stop of the year on the ATP World Tour.

World No. 28 Adrian Mannarino of France, Israel’s No. 1 player Dudi Sela, Russia’s Evgeny Donskoy, who defeated Roger Federer at the 2017 Dubai Tennis Championships, and Victor Estrella Burgos of the Dominican Republic, who is one of Latin America’s top competitors, are just a few players to watch in the tournament’s international field.

The 2018 New York Open will mark the return of the ATP World Tour to the New York metropolitan area and Long Island since 2005. GF Sports, a live events and sports media entertainment company, acquired the former Memphis Open in 2015 and partnered with Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment to move the tournament to Long Island. The event is one of the longest-running American tournaments on the ATP World Tour and the only indoor championship contested in the United States.

“One of our biggest goals for the New York Open is to continue the development of American tennis by providing a chance for young hopefuls, and veterans alike, with an opportunity to play and succeed,” said Josh Ripple, Tournament Director. “It’s really exciting to have a strong player field, and U.S. representation, for the tournament’s debut on Long Island.”

“We’re excited that NYCB LIVE will be the next stop on tour for an impressive field of the world’s top 100 ATP World Tour professionals, following the Australian Open,” said Brett Yormark, Chief Executive Officer of Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment. “The tournament will mark a new beginning for professional tennis on Long Island when it hosts Grand Slam champions and finalists, nine Americans, including the country’s rising stars, and a strong pool of international players next month.”

On Feb. 11, guests who purchase an evening session ticket will have a chance to see tennis legend and honorary New York Open ambassador John McEnroe play U.S. Davis Cup champion James Blake, followed by a match between 2017 US Open women’s tennis champion Sloane Stephens and Canada’s No. 1 Eugenie Bouchard. All four players will take part in a mixed doubles matchup after singles play. All matches will be eight-game pro-sets.

—B. Borsanyi, NY Open

Qualifiers Gnaw Way Into Main Draw at 2017 Charlottesville Challenger

Posted by Admin on October 30, 2017
Posted in: ATP, ATP Challenger, ATP Qualifying, Charlottesville, USTA Pro Circuit. Tagged: , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Qualifiers Gnaw Way Into Main Draw at 2017 Charlottesville Challenger
Steve Fogleman, Tennis Atlantic

Alex Rybakov, 2017 Charlottesville Challenger (Photo: TennisAtlantic.com)

Alex Rybakov, 2017 Charlottesville Challenger (Photo: TennisAtlantic.com)

(Charlottesville, VA-October 30)–Qualifying concluded at the 2017 ATP Charlottesville Challenger at the Boar’s Head Resort in Charlottesville,  Virginia this afternoon. The four qualifiers are set: South Africa’s Ruan Roelofse survived a three-setter against Alexander Ritschard, 7-6(2), 4-6, 6-3. With 63 life years combined on court, 29-year-old Edward Corrie of Great Britain earned an impressive, calculated comeback against 34-year-old Frederik Nielsen, 4-6, 7-6(6), 6-4. American Jared Hiltzik advanced over Canadian Samuel Monette in two tiebreaks, 7-6(6), 7-6(4). Joining Hiltzik in the draw is fellow American Alex Rybakov, who at 20, was the youngest to qualify in Charlottesville after a 6-1, 5-7, 7-5 thriller over Neil Pauffley of Great Britain.

“The past couple of weeks I had some really tough matches, 7-6 in the third, that I lost,” Rybakov told me. “Here, I’m ready all day for anything. I put my heart out and at the end of the day I was ready for it,” he said.

As far as his chances go in the main draw, “it’s good,” he said.  “I like playing qualifying because you get a couple of matches on the courts and if you qualify you’re used to the courts going in. This is my sixth challenger so I’m getting a good feel for it.”

Although the four qualifiers hadn’t been drawn in at the time of this report, two of them will play Filip Peliwo and Liam Broady in Round 1, and two of them will face each other.

 

All Eyes on @CincyTennis As Main Draw Begins

Posted by Admin on August 14, 2017
Posted in: ATP, Cincinnati, Western & Southern Open. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Tennis Road Show Back to Cincinnati
Steve Fogleman, Tennis Atlantic

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It’s hard to believe it’s already late summer and the tennis road show moved to Ohio for a big build-up to the US Open. With so many engaging story lines on both sides of the sport, the Western & Southern Open will likely set the table for the end-of-year narrative.

While most of the tennis world was witnessing the breakout weekend in Toronto for Sascha Zverev, there were packed stands for qualifying matches in Ohio, including a girl who cried because she didn’t get an autograph from Magdalena Rybarikova. I thought, “It’ll get better.” It can always get better than getting snubbed by Rybarikova for an autograph.

This is the greatest tennis place in America. Not the greatest tennis space like Indian Wells, but the greatest tennis place. A place where Americans root for Americans and where they never say John Eisner. Media Director Pete Holtermann says it best when he tells me that there are 9 states within a 250 mile radius of the event. It’s the Midwestern Open.

38 matches on a single day like last Saturday is Slam-like, if not Slam-lite. It is nearly impossible to cover all of the courts and all of the matches at a big tourney footprint like the Western & Southern Open. You pick what looks good and you plan to stay in that area of the facility. It’s progressively bigger in my usual route of Newport, D.C., Cincinnati and the US Open.

In fact, it’s the perfect warm-up to the US Open. Who knew? Oh, wait.

Sunday’s 19 matches felt relaxing by comparison. Qualifying concluded with the 19 winners, 7 men and 12 women who jump into main draw play today. They were beaten to the first round by Ryan Harrison, Gilles Muller, John Isner and Vik Troicki, who kicked off their first round matches yesterday.

Harrison fought hard in a three set loss to Muller and he heard that American fanbase he says is so sorely needed. They cheered for him through the ups and the downs, but the American wilted in the thrid set tiebreak to advance Muller to the second round with a 6-4, 5-7, 7-6(3) win.

The fans were then served a less dramatic match but got to cheer on another fellow countryman when John Isner eased past Troicki, 7-6(3), 6-4.

Maximilian Marterer of Germany advanced in straight sets yesterday to his first career main draw of a 1000 level event. He was so excited he could barely contain his glee as he rode off on the golf cart he had to share with his opponent, Ramkumar Ramanathan. Ramanathan looked dazed as a man who had lost two consecutive tie breaks despite the fans overwhelming support on Court 4. Marterer rides into the first round against American Frances Tiafoe later today.

J.P. Smith is almost an American to these fans and it showed at the end of his match yesterday. Despite cheering for Christian Harrison throughout the match, their applause turned to the former University of Tennessee alum as he prepared to serve out the 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 win. Fans flocked to him for photos as he soaked up a memorable weekend on the outer courts.

Taylor Townsend, Western & Southern Open (Photo: Tennis Atlantic)

Taylor Townsend gave many plenty to smile about with her comeback win. After losing the first set in a tiebreak to Carina Witthoeft on Center Court, she stormed back to win out 7-5, 6-1. More adulation by the crowd was in store for Townsend as she was mobbed by well-wishers. Monica Puig is next in store for Townsend later this afternoon on Court 10.

4 of Next Gen of American Men Wild Carded to @CincyTennis

Posted by Admin on August 8, 2017
Posted in: ATP, Cincinnati, Western & Southern Open. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Tommy Paul, 2017 Citi Open

Tommy Paul, 2017 Citi Open

CINCINNATI (August 8, 2017) — Four Americans aged 20-and-under have been awarded wild card entries into the men’s field at the Western & Southern Open. Tommy Paul (20), Jared Donaldson (20), Stefan Kozlov (19) and Frances Tiafoe (19) will play in the main draw of the tournament that will be held August 12-20 at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio.

“We are thrilled to welcome these four American rising stars to the Western & Southern Open,“ said Tournament Director Andre Silva. “There is an energy and buzz around the youth movement that is taking place in the game, and we’re excited to have the opportunity to see that firsthand.”

Jared Donaldson ATP Atlanta Qualifying 2015

Jared Donaldson was clutch

Paul, who was raised in North Carolina, has reached consecutive quarterfinals this summer in Atlanta and Washington, D.C. Those results propelled him to win the 2017 US Open Wild Card Challenge, and have cut his ranking in half since Wimbledon, pushing him to a career high ranking this week. In juniors, Paul was ranked as high as No. 3 after winning the French Open title and reaching the US Open final during the 2015 season.

Donaldson is a Rhode Island native who will be making his third main draw appearance at the Western & Southern Open, where he owns a 2-2 record. Last year, Donaldson reached the third round at the US Open, becoming the youngest American to do so since 2007. This summer, Donaldson has won at least one round in his last four events, including reaching the third round at both Wimbledon and Washington, D.C.

Stefan Kozlov

Kozlov, who lives in South Florida, was the junior finalist at both the Australian Open and Wimbledon while reaching as high as No. 2 in the junior rankings in 2014. He closed the 2016 season by claiming his first career Challenger title in nearby Columbus, Ohio. Kozlov will be making his Western & Southern Open main draw debut.

Francis Tiafoe (Photo: Cynthia Lum/USTA)

Francis Tiafoe (Photo: Cynthia Lum/USTA)

Tiafoe, one of just two teenagers in the Top 100 of the ATP Rankings, whose father is an immigrant from Sierra Leone who brought Frances to work while serving as the facilities manager of a tennis center in Maryland. In 2015, Tiafoe won the USTA Boys 18s title at Kalamazoo. The winner of two Challenger titles this season, he will be making his main draw debut.

The four join a men’s field that includes seven-time champion Roger Federer, two-time champion Andy Murray, former champion Rafael Nadal and defending champion Marin Cilic.

Sascha Zverev Conquers @CitiOpen

Posted by Admin on August 6, 2017
Posted in: ATP, Citi Open, Washington. Tagged: , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Sascha Zverev Conquers Citi Open
Steve Fogleman, Tennis Atlantic

The men’s final at Citi Open in Washington was a perfect contrast of players on tour. In the near corner stood your 31-year-old challenger, Kevin Anderson, at 6’8″, a man who’d spent the last seven years inside the top 100, and who peaked at world #10. I chose to call him the challenger because he was installed as a 3-1 underdog by the global bookmakers. Though he has had success in his ten years as a pro, some of Anderson’s greatest moments in the game came as a standout for the University of Illinois. The pro success came in the form of three titles over his career at ATP 250 tournaments, which would made a victory in Washington the undisputed high point of his career thus far.

In the far corner stood the kid, a 20-year-old phenom and son of tennis royalty who skipped college to go straight to work in the pros. Standing two inches shorter than Anderson, Zverev’s meteoric rise in the four years since he turned pro saw him break out of the top 100 in 2015, reach top 20 status in 2016 and conquer the top 10 this year.

And today, the kid is the champion of Washington in a 6-4, 6-4 showing of perfect tennis by Zverev.

Zverev got through Kei Nishikori, Daniil Medvedev and Tennys Sandgren in straight sets. He also beat Jordan Thompson in a third set tiebreaker in his opening match at Citi Open.

After the win, he was asked about his role in the ATP Next Gen series. He replied, “I’ve already won four titles this year, so I’m not an ‘in-the-future’ guy.”

Kevin Anderson couldn’t rely on his big serve today and it cost him. Still, it was a fabulous run for Anderson as he beat Jack Sock in straights to advance to the final. Previously, he survived in three sets against Yuki Bhampbri, took out Dominic Thiem in a third set tiebreak and breezed past Malek Jaziri in his opening round.

Anderson hadn’t even been a finalist in an event in almost two years before today’s final, having last hoisted hardware as the winner of the 2015 Winston-Salem Open. By contrast, Zverev had lifted three trophies in 2017 alone, including the Masters 1000 event in Rome.

Anderson and Zverev had dueled twice before with both matches going three sets. In 2015, Zverev was the victor in Washington and earlier this year, Zverev took out Anderson en route to the biggest prize of his career in the Italian Masters.