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CURRENT CHARLESTON @VOLVOCARSOPEN CHAMP @ANGELIQUEKERBER QUALIFIES FOR WTA FINALS

Posted by Admin on October 22, 2015
Posted in: Charleston, Volvo Cars Open, WTA. Tagged: , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

CURRENT CHARLESTON @VOLVOCARSOPEN CHAMP @ANGELIQUEKERBER QUALIFIES FOR WTA FINALS

World No. 7 makes her third appearance at the WTA Finals,
wins four Premier-level events in one season

Angelique Kerber, New Haven

DANIEL ISLAND, S.C. – Angelique Kerber, the 2015 Family Circle Cup champion (now the Volvo Cars Open), has qualified for this year’s BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global. She will make her third appearance in the WTA Finals, qualifying in both 2012 and 2013. She was first alternate in 2014.

Kerber has won four Premier-level WTA titles this season. Beginning with her win in Charleston at the Family Circle Cup, she went on to win the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, the Aegon Classic in Birmingham and the Bank of the West Classic in Stanford.

Kerber’s season soared following her title run in Charleston. In addition to capturing three more titles, she made the quarterfinals in Tokyo and Beijing, the semifinals in Nurnberg and Wuhan, and most recently the final in Hong Kong. She also reached World No. 7, her highest ranking since 2012, when she was World No. 5.

Volvo Cars Open

Kerber joins Simona Halep, Maria Sharapova, Garbiñe Muguruza, Petra Kvitova, Agnieszka Radwanska, Flavia Pennetta and Lucie Safarova in the WTA Finals singles field of eight.

Staged at the Singapore Sports Hub from October 23-November 1 in partnership with Lagardère Sports, the 2015 WTA Finals features the Top 8 singles players competing for one of the most prestigious trophies in women’s tennis, the Billie Jean King Trophy, while the Top 8 doubles teams will compete for the Martina Navratilova WTA Finals Doubles Trophy. With a record $7 million in prize money on the line, the round-robin singles competition will be the highlight of a 10-day tennis festival that will also include the WTA Legends Classic, WTA Rising Stars Invitational and a WTA Future Stars event.

“I’m very happy to have qualified for the WTA Finals again,” said Angelique Kerber. “After being an alternate last year, I am excited to get back on the court and compete against the top players in the world. I had a great season and really pushed myself to qualify for Singapore – especially as the event came closer.”

Kerber joins 2015 Family Circle Cup doubles champions, Martina Hingis and Sania Mirza, in Singapore. The World No. 1 doubles team qualified for the WTA Finals in July.

Tickets for the 2016 Volvo Cars Open are now on sale. For more information on tickets, call 800.677.2293 or visit http://www.volvocarsopen.com. Patrons can purchase single session tickets, or choose from a variety of ticket and travel packages.

About the Volvo Cars Open:
The Volvo Cars Open is the largest women’s only tennis tournament in the world. The tournament receives four days of live broadcast domestically on ESPN2, and is viewed internationally in more than 143 countries, featuring more than 200 hours of live and delayed global broadcast time, reaching 9+ million viewers worldwide. The event, formerly known as the Family Circle Cup, moved to Charleston in 2001 from Hilton Head Island and will celebrate its 44th anniversary in 2016.

—A. Alpino, Volvo Cars Open

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The @FamilyCircleCup is Dead. Long Live @VolvoCarsOpen

Posted by Admin on August 31, 2015
Posted in: Charleston, Family Circle Cup, Volvo Cars Open, WTA. Tagged: , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

The @FamilyCircle Cup is Dead, Long Live @VolvoCarsOpen

volvo cars open

NEW YORK & DANIEL ISLAND, S.C., (August 31, 2015) – Meredith Corporation (NYSE:MDP, http://www.meredith.com) unveiled today an exciting, new partnership with Volvo Cars of North America for the Family Circle Cup, the largest women’s-only tennis tournament in the world. In conjunction with Volvo Car’s first American plant in South Carolina’s Berkeley County, the brand will become the title sponsor for the Family Circle Cup, changing its name to the Volvo Cars Open.

“Family Circle’s commitment to women’s tennis began in 1973, and the tournament continues to be a premiere event on the WTA tour. Our new relationship with Volvo is a great opportunity for both of our companies to build on and celebrate the tournament’s rich history while finding new and exciting ways to expand and grow its reach with our marketing partners,” said Tom Harty, President, National Media Group, Meredith Corporation.

He notes that Volvo’s decision to create its first United States production facility in South Carolina, and to become title sponsor for the event, will “help to ensure that the tournament and facility along with its broad range of programs remain a vital part of the Charleston community both now and for many years to come.”

The tournament aligns with Volvo’s core mission and target market. The luxury-car brand has been built up over decades, and is one of the world’s best known and respected companies within the vehicle industry. Volvo has also been involved in tennis historically in the past.

Family Circle Cup Stadium

Volvo Cars Cup Stadium

“It is a great honor to become the title sponsor of this world-class tournament; one that like Volvo Cars, celebrates passion and performance,” said Lex Kerssemakers, President and CEO of Volvo Cars of North America. “As we are establishing our U.S. manufacturing footprint in the Charleston area, this is an ideal way for us to leverage our presence in the community.”

The Volvo Cars Open is truly an international event for the Charleston area, with players and fans attending from across the globe. The tournament averages 90,000 attendees each year and reaches more than 10 million television viewers worldwide.

“The title sponsorship change is a natural evolution of our event,” said Bob Moran, General Manger and Tournament Director of the Volvo Cars Open. “We are an international event with players, fans and viewers from across the globe. The opportunity for Meredith to partner with a world-class brand like Volvo Cars is a perfect fit.”

Moran notes that Family Circle and Charleston Tennis will continue to market the event to Meredith’s 100 million consumers. The tournament will continue to be owned and operated by Charleston Tennis, LLC, a subsidiary of Meredith Corporation, publisher of Family Circle.

“Volvo is a welcome addition to the tour and the event continues to be a pioneer in women’s professional sports, creating milestones that over the years have directly influenced the popularity of women’s professional tennis,” said Stacey Allaster, Chairman and CEO, WTA. “The tournament has a roster of past champions that include some of the biggest names in the history of women’s tennis including Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova, Tracy Austin, Steffi Graf, Gabriela Sabatini, Martina Hingis, Jennifer Capriati, Venus Williams, Justine Henin and Serena Williams.”

The Volvo Cars Open will take place April 2 – 10, 2016 on Daniel Island.

—A. Alpino, Volvo Cars Open

It’s Quarterfinals Day @FamilyCircleCup! #FCC2015

Posted by Admin on April 10, 2015
Posted in: Charleston, Family Circle Cup, WTA. Tagged: , , , , , .

It’s Quarterfinals Day @FamilyCircleCup!
Kristi Tredway for Tennis Atlantic

Family Circle Cup Stadium

Family Circle Cup Stadium

Today’s singles matchups at the Family Circle Cup offer surprises and potential classics.

First up is an American battle, Madison Keys, the #7 seed, versus Lauren Davis. Davis benefited from the retirement of Mona Barthel, the #15 seed, while leading 6-4 3-0, in the third round. Madison Keys has had a relatively easy route to the quarterfinals. She defeated Andreea Mitu in the third round 6-2 6-0. In press, Davis proclaimed that she knew Keys’ game “like the back of my hand.” Keys, unsurprisingly, didn’t take this very well and it has probably fueled her motivation to beat Davis.

Madison Keys (Photo: TennisAtlantic.com)

The second matchup today will feature Sara Errani, the #4 seed, versus the surprise qualifier Lucie Hradecka. Hradecka defeated Caroline Garcia, the #8 seed, in a marathon in the third round, 5-7 7-5 6-4. Errani also survived a bit of a marathon yesterday. She defeated Sara Sorribes Tormo 6-2 5-7 6-2.

The third quarterfinal match features the defending champion and #3 seed Andrea Petkovic, now the highest seed remaining, against the qualifier Danka Kovinic. Kovinic received a gift from her longtime mentor Jelena Jankovic, the #6 seed, who withdrew before their match with a right foot injury. Petkovic avenged her loss to Madison Brengle in the first round of the 2015 Australian Open, their only prior meeting, beating her 6-4 6-4.

The final quarterfinal match will feature Angelique Kerber, the #5 seed, against Irina-Camelia Begu, the #13 seed. Kerber defeated Lara Arruabarrena, the player who knocked Sam Stosur out in a 2-hour marathon, 6-3 6-0. Begu received a walkover from Ekaterina Makarova, the #2 seed, who withdrew after her second round win due to a gastrointestinal illness.

Interviews From @FamilyCircleCup With The Last Remaining Seeds (Must Post Now!) #FCC2015

Posted by Admin on April 9, 2015
Posted in: Charleston, Family Circle Cup, Steve Fogleman, WTA. Tagged: , , , , , , , , .

Interviews From @FamilyCircleCup With The Last Remaining Seeds (Must Post Now!) #FCC2015
Steve Fogleman, Tennis Atlantic

Where Did Everyone Go?

Where Did Everyone Go?

After losing so many seeds yesterday, I thought I’d better post these miniature interviews before another player packed their bags for Fed Cup or Bogota. Yesterday, I posted Caroline Garcia and Sara Errani, who survived the Wednesday carnage. Garcia faces Lucie Hradecka this morning and Sara Errani gets Sara Sorribes Tormo this afternoon.


Jelena will look to get past Montenegro’s surging Danka Kovinic, who called JJ her childhood idol. Don’t give me any compliments, kid. Sounds like a trap.


Madison hopes to continue her winning ways against Andrea Mitu.


Angelique draws Lara Arruabarenna this morning on Gibson.

And Petko the Giant looks to avoid the upset from Madison Brengle this afternoon.

Wacky Wednesday @FamilyCircleCup; Thursday’s Order of Play #FCC2015

Posted by Admin on April 9, 2015
Posted in: Charleston, Family Circle Cup, WTA. Tagged: , , , , , , , .

Wacky Wednesday @FamilyCircleCup; Thursday’s Order of Play #FCC2015
Kristi Tredway for Tennis Atlantic

Danka Kovinic

Danka Kovinic

After play on Wednesday, only half of the seeds remain at the Family Circle Cup in Charleston, South Carolina, heading into the third round.

Ekaterina Makarova, the #2 seed, began today’s play with a win over Shuai Zhang, 5-7 6-3 6-2; however, a gastrointestinal illness forced her to withdraw providing a walkover for Irina-Camella Begu, the #13 seed, who beat Yaroslava Shvedova today 6-0 6-7(4) 6-4. Begu is the first player into the quarterfinals with the walkover.

In a shock, Lara Arruabarrena beat fan-favorite Sam Stosur today, 6-3 3-6 6-4. Arruaberrena will play Angelique Kerber, the #5 seed, who won yesterday. The winner of this match will play Begu in the quarterfinals.

American Madison Brengle had an excellent win today over Donna Vekic 6-1 6-3. Vekic had knocked out Heather Watson, the #16 seed, in the first round. Brengle next faces Andrea Petkovic, the defending champion and #3 seed, in the third round.

A surprise in the third round is Danka Kovinic. She beat Belinda Bencic, the #12 seed, 4-6 6-3 6-2, and will face her idol and Jelena Jankovic, the #6 seed.

As expected, Caroline Garcia, the #8 seed, is into the third round and will face the surprise qualifier, Lucie Hradecka.

SST

SST


Sara Sorribes Tormo, also a qualifier, has made it to the third round and will face Sara Errani, the #4 seed who beat Jana Cepelova, last year’s finalist, today 6-3 7-6(5).

The one seed to have a seemingly easy time getting to the third round is Madison Keys, the #7 seed. She beat Kateryna Bondarenko, a qualifier, today 6-2 6-1. Keys next faces Andreea Mitu.

Mona Barthel, the #15 seed, beat fan-favorite Sloane Stephens today 6-3 7-6(2). She next faces Lauren Davis who knocked out the #1 seed Eugenie Bouchard today 6-3 6-1.

RESULTS – APRIL 08, 2015
Women’s
Singles – Second Round
L. Davis (USA) d [1] [WC] E. Bouchard (CAN) 63 61
[2] E. Makarova (RUS) d S. Zhang (CHN) 57 63 62
[4] S. Errani (ITA) d J. Cepelova (SVK) 63 76(5)
[7] M. Keys (USA) d [Q] K. Bondarenko (UKR) 62 61
L. Arruabarrena (ESP) d [9] S. Stosur (AUS) 63 36 64
[Q] D. Kovinic (MNE) d [12] B. Bencic (SUI) 46 63 62
[13] I. Begu (ROU) d Y. Shvedova (KAZ) 60 67(4) 64
[15] M. Barthel (GER) d S. Stephens (USA) 63 76(2)
A. Mitu (ROU) d A. Tomljanovic (CRO) 62 62
[Q] S. Sorribes Tormo (ESP) d S. Rogers (USA) 75 61
M. Brengle (USA) d D. Vekic (CRO) 61 63

Women’s
Doubles – First Round
[1] M. Hingis (SUI) / S. Mirza (IND) d A. Rodionova (AUS) / A. Rodionova (AUS) 67(7) 63 10-5
M. Erakovic (NZL) / A. Petkovic (GER) d [WC] A. Riske (USA) / S. Rogers (USA) 64 62

ORDER OF PLAY – THURSDAY, APRIL 09, 2015
FAMILY CIRCLE STADIUM start 11:00 am
[Q] L. Hradecka (CZE) vs [8] C. Garcia (FRA)

Not Before 1:00 pm
M. Brengle (USA) vs [3] A. Petkovic (GER)
A. Mitu (ROU) vs [7] M. Keys (USA)
M. Erakovic (NZL) / A. Petkovic (GER) vs [4] T. Babos (HUN) / A. Groenefeld (GER)

Not Before 7:00 pm
[6] J. Jankovic (SRB) vs [Q] D. Kovinic (MNE)
B. Mattek-Sands (USA) / A. Tomljanovic (CRO) vs A. Kudryavtseva (RUS) / A. Pavlyuchenkova (RUS)

ALTHEA GIBSON CLUB COURT start 11:00 am
[5] A. Kerber (GER) vs L. Arruabarrena (ESP)

Not Before 12:30 pm
L. Davis (USA) vs [15] M. Barthel (GER)
[4] S. Errani (ITA) vs [Q] S. Sorribes Tormo (ESP)

60 Second Interview with @GenieBouchard at @FamilyCircleCup #FCC2015

Posted by Admin on April 8, 2015
Posted in: Charleston, Family Circle Cup, Steve Fogleman, WTA. Tagged: , , , , , , , .

60 Second Interview with @GenieBouchard at @FamilyCircleCup #FCC2015
Steve Fogleman, Tennis Atlantic

I got a little nervous on Saturday when Genie Bouchard pulled up in practice and gingerly walked off the court with some sort of apparent pain in her right leg. Her camp seemed pretty concerned about it at the time, but there was no sign of trouble when we caught up with Genie on Monday at media hour at the Family Circle Cup in Charleston, South Carolina.

Genie Bouchard (C) Tennis Atlantic

Genie Bouchard (C) Tennis Atlantic


On the change of agent and coach

I think you almost have to expect sometimes that things won’t get worse, but maybe you’ll have a bit of a down before you have an up, especially with a coaching change. I think maybe that’s what happened a little bit. Change is hard. You have to adapt and get used to new things. You kind of get thrown out of your routine and maybe you’re put more into an uncomfortable position. But that’s what I wanted. I wanted something new to take me to a different level. I’m very happy that I made it, I’m liking the changes I did.Now I just need to keep going with it and everything will get better

On the practice situation

“It was more of a scare than anything else. As an athlete, you always freak out if something happens, especially a traumatic event on the court when you fall a little bit. But I’m fine for now.”

60 Second Interview with @SaraErrani at @FamilyCircleCup #FCC2015

Posted by Admin on April 8, 2015
Posted in: Charleston, Family Circle Cup, Steve Fogleman, WTA. Tagged: , , , , , , .

60 Second Interview with @SaraErrani at @FamilyCircleCup #FCC2015
Steve Fogleman, Tennis Atlantic

Sara Errani spoke with Tennis Atlantic on Monday in a speed-round interview from the Family Circle Cup in Charleston, South Carolina. Having been granted a first-round bye, she won her opening second-round match moments ago against last year’s finalist, Jana Cepelova. I tweeted a photo of her during Saturday practice which received over 20,000 impressions and wondered what she thought about her army of digital fans.

Sara Errani, Charleston

On Social Media Fans:
“I have fun with them. There are a lot of good people and fans suporting me so it’s noce to have them when you go around the world to play matches.

Is She Clay-Ready?
“I hope so. Here it would be tough. It’s not easy to play on this (green clay) surface, but I’m really happy to start the clay season”.

Qualifiers Set @FamilyCircleCup, Monday Order of Play

Posted by Admin on April 5, 2015
Posted in: Charleston, Family Circle Cup, WTA. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , .

Qualifiers Set @FamilyCircleCup, Monday Order of Play
Steve Fogleman, Tennis Atlantic

Jessica Pegula (Photo: TennisAtlantic.com)

Jessica Pegula (Photo: TennisAtlantic.com)


It’s Easter Sunday at Family Circle Cup in Charleston and that means the annual Easter Egg Hunt. It also means lots of kids on the grounds. My favorite kid was the one who was apparently intrigued by a foot fault call, because he ran around the rest of the afternoon screaming “Foot Fault!” to various startled fans. A big psych to you, tennis fans. Way to go, kid!

No Easter Eggs for 44-year-old Kimiko Date-Krumm but a bagel and a breadstick instead as German Laura Stiegemund breezed past Date-Krumm at 0&1.

Sara Sorribes Tormo probably had the second easiest day. The Spaniard took out Jovana Jaksic 6-2, 6-2. Sorribes is one loud and animated customer and she got the job done this weekend.

American Jessica Pegula, who trains at the Family Cup Tennis Center, used the home court advantage to pull away from Lesley Kerkhove in the second set, 7-6(5), 6-3. Thank you, Jessica.

Kateryna Bondarenko, with husband Denis pacing the stands, were both relieved to escape a tough out in Beatriz Haddad Maia 6-4, 7-6(10). Match point was a bad call from my spot behind the baseline, but the call was upheld after a challenge, sending the 27 year old Ukrainian back into the main draw in Charleston. A nice effort and a decent weekend for Haddad nonetheless.

Kateryna Bondarenko & Denis Volodkov (Photo: TennisAtlantic.com)

Kateryna Bondarenko & Denis Volodkov (Photo: TennisAtlantic.com)

Beatriz Haddad Maia (Photo: TennisAtlantic.com)

Beatriz Haddad Maia (Photo: TennisAtlantic.com)

Another great effort that fell short but was ultimately impressive on the weekend belonged to Maria Sanchez, who lost to Kristina Kucova on Althea Gibson Court 6-4, 1-6, 6-4.

The match of the weekend for me was Danka Kovinic’s 3-set nail-biting win against Naomi Osaka. 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(8) was the final score. This match could have easily gone Osaka’s way several times. Credit to Kovinic for persevering.

On the final match of the day on Court 3, top qualifying seed Lucie Hradecka survived a first tough set with Czech compatriot Barbora Krejcikova to advance to the main draw, 7-6(3), 6-4.

And the final match of qualifying weekend 2015 found Louisa Chirico with a three set loss against Sesil Karatantcheva, 6-3, 1-6, 6-1.

The 8 Americans went 1-7 in qualifying, with only Jesse Pegula advancing. She’ll play Sachia Vickery tomorrow.

The qualifiers are slotted.

Pegula gets Vickery (and a win, I predict)
Kovinic gets McHale (tricky)
Bondarenko draws Riske (not fair, but Riske should prevail)
Hradecka faces Diyas (Diyas looks good in practice)
Kucova gets Lucic-Baroni (meh)
Siegemund sees Cabu (the German is on fire)
Sorribes squares off against Pavlyuchenkova (could happen)
and Karatantcheva drew Stosur (nope)

ORDER OF PLAY – MONDAY, APRIL 06, 2015
FAMILY CIRCLE STADIUM start 10:00 am
[16] H. Watson (GBR) vs D. Vekic (CRO)
S. Rogers (USA) vs S. Soler-Espinosa (ESP)
T. Babos (HUN) vs [15] M. Barthel (GER)
N. Gibbs (USA) vs S. Zhang (CHN)

ALTHEA GIBSON CLUB COURT start 10:00 am
T. Maria (GER) vs I. Falconi (USA)
G. Min (USA) vs L. Davis (USA)
[Q] J. Pegula (USA) vs [WC] S. Vickery (USA)
[Q] D. Kovinic (MNE) vs C. Mchale (USA)
[Q] K. Bondarenko (UKR) vs A. Riske (USA)

COURT 3 start 10:00 am
S. Voegele (SUI) vs Y. Shvedova (KAZ)
A. Tomljanovic (CRO) vs A. Dulgheru (ROU)
[13] I. Begu (ROU) vs [Q] L. Siegemund (GER)
[11] Z. Diyas (KAZ) vs [Q] L. Hradecka (CZE)

COURT 4 start 10:00 am
M. Erakovic (NZL) vs C. Scheepers (RSA)
Y. Putintseva (KAZ) vs E. Rodina (RUS)
M. Lucic-Baroni (CRO) vs [Q] K. Kucova (SVK)
G. Dabrowski (CAN) / A. Rosolska (POL) vs A. Kudryavtseva (RUS) / A. Pavlyuchenkova (RUS)

Americans Sanchez, Pegula, Chirico Advance @FamilyCircleCup Qualifying; Today’s Order of Play

Posted by Admin on April 5, 2015
Posted in: Charleston, Family Circle Cup, WTA. Tagged: , , , , , , , .

Americans Sanchez, Pegula, Chirico Advance @FamilyCircleCup Qualifying; Today’s Order of Play
Stephan Fogleman, Tennis Atlantic

Maria Sanchez, Charleston

It wasn’t an  American sweep, but Maria Sanchez, Jessica Pegula and Louisa Chirico advanced in qualifying on Saturday at the Family Circle Cup in Charleston. Sanchez won a tough first set tiebreak against Arina Rodionova before cruising in the second, 7-6(5), 6-2.  Pegula ousted Lin Zhu 6-3, 7-6(4) and in the last match of the day, Chirico breezed past Gabriela Dobrowski 6-2, 6-4.

Today, all remaining Americans are featured on Althea Gibson Court, the Stadium of Qualifying, if you will.  Sanchez opens with Kristina Kucova, followed by Pegula vs. Lesley Kerkhove of the Netherlands. Finishing on Althea Gibson will be Louisa Chirico against Sesil Karatantcheva, the #3 qualifying seed.

 

Jessica Pegula

Jessica Pegula

Jovanna Jaksic

Jovanna Jaksic

On court 3, Danka Kovinic fights for a spot in the main draw against Naomi Osaka, Kimiko Date-Krumm takes on Germany’s Laura Siegemund, while top seed Lucie Hradecks looks to advance against Barbara Kriecikova.

Court 4 action includes Sara Sorrbes Tormo (SST) vs. Jovana Jaksic (pictured) and Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia against Kateryna Bondarenko.

Qualifying Singles – First Round
Qualifying – [1] L. Hradecka (CZE) d [WC] E. Halbauer (USA) 62 64
Qualifying – [WC] J. Pegula (USA) d [2] L. Zhu (CHN) 63 76(4)
Qualifying – [3] S. Karatantcheva (BUL) d A. Rus (NED) 62 61
Qualifying – S. Sorribes Tormo (ESP) d [4] A. Kudryavtseva (RUS) 61 64
Qualifying – [5] K. Date-Krumm (JPN) d J. Boserup (USA) 61 61
Qualifying – B. Haddad Maia (BRA) d [6] M. Larcher de Brito (POR) 76(5) 46 62
Qualifying – [7] K. Kucova (SVK) d [WC] S. Crawford (USA) 76(3) 64
Qualifying – [8] D. Kovinic (MNE) d A. Kiick (USA) 60 60
Qualifying – L. Kerkhove (NED) d [9] M. Zanevska (UKR) 75 63
Qualifying – [10] L. Chirico (USA) d G. Dabrowski (CAN) 62 64
Qualifying – [11] J. Jaksic (SRB) d K. Piter (POL) 62 67(1) 62
Qualifying – [12] B. Krejcikova (CZE) d O. Rogowska (AUS) 75 64
Qualifying – [13] L. Siegemund (GER) d [WC] F. Abanda (CAN) 61 75
Qualifying – N. Osaka (JPN) d [14] P. Kania (POL) 63 61
Qualifying – [15] K. Bondarenko (UKR) d C. Bellis (USA) 64 62
Qualifying – M. Sanchez (USA) d [16] An. Rodionova (AUS) 76(5) 62
ORDER OF PLAY – SUNDAY, APRIL 05, 2015
ALTHEA GIBSON CLUB COURT start 11:00 am
Qualifying – [7] K. Kucova (SVK) vs M. Sanchez (USA)
Qualifying – [WC] J. Pegula (USA) vs L. Kerkhove (NED)
Qualifying – [3] S. Karatantcheva (BUL) vs [10] L. Chirico (USA)

COURT 3 start 10:00 am
Qualifying – [8] D. Kovinic (MNE) vs N. Osaka (JPN)
Qualifying – [5] K. Date-Krumm (JPN) vs [13] L. Siegemund (GER)
Qualifying – [1] L. Hradecka (CZE) vs [12] B. Krejcikova (CZE)

COURT 4 start 10:00 am
Qualifying – S. Sorribes Tormo (ESP) vs [11] J. Jaksic (SRB)
Qualifying – B. Haddad Maia (BRA) vs [15] K. Bondarenko (UKR)

Glorious @FamilyCircleCup Begins & The Giant @AndreaPetkovic

Posted by Admin on April 4, 2015
Posted in: Steve Fogleman, WTA. Tagged: , , , , .

Glorious @FamilyCircleCup Begins & The Giant @AndreaPetkovic

Cici Bellis

Cici Bellis

Family Circle Cup marks a great time of year: the beginning of spring, the beginning of the outdoor tennis season for most of us outside of Florida and California, and the beginning of my own East Coast swing, planning trips to Newport, Washington, Cincinnati, New Haven and leading to Flushing Meadows.

In the four years I’ve covered the Family Circle Cup, this is the first time I stopped by before qualifying began. Players lounged around on Friday in between practices and enjoyed some low-key privacy for one day at a Premier-level event. That meant it was low-key for me too and a relaxing change of pace. For once, I strolled around the grounds instead of rushing between matches.

Alison Riske and Varvara Lepchenko took time on Stadium Court to practice together. Jelena Jankovic and Madison Keys were also on site, but I missed them.

CiCi Bellis and her family made the trip from Miami, and Bethanie Mattek-Sands and her husband spent significant time on court. Mattek-Sands even spent about a set playing a young girl who was excited to have a pro on the other side of the net.

Jesse Pegula and Maria Sanchez practiced together as well. Pegula and Sanchez received qualifying wild cards, along with Bellis and Samantha Crawford.

The biggest moment of my afternoon, however, was also the biggest thing at Family Circle Cup: A giant banner of Andrea Petkovic, your 2014 champion.

The 50-Foot Petko!

The 50-Foot Petko!

I could see her staring at me as I drove past on I-526. Good thing I’m a Petko fan, otherwise I could have wrecked my car.

Then at my hotel this morning, I pick up the Charleston City Paper and see this!!!!

Giant Petko using the Ravenel Bridge as a net. Nice.

Nice for the fans this year is an observation area for practices and new social media boards where you can see your own tweets on the big screen. It is also the only tournament I know where kids get in free ALL WEEK.

Family Circle Cup Practice Viewing Area

Family Circle Cup Practice Viewing Area

As I left Daniel Island yesterday, I was awe-struck by the beautiful display of national flags: one for each main draw participant.

This tournament puts on the nicest touches. Now I can’t wait to see Giant Petko defend her tiny little trophy. Since no one else in the player field is over seven feet tall, I think she’s a lock.

—S. Fogleman