qualifying

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Saturday’s @CharlestonOpen Qualifying Order of Play

Posted by Admin on April 1, 2023
Posted in: Charleston, WTA. Tagged: , , , , . Leave a comment

Charleston–The qualifying aspirants at the Credit One Charleston Open will face windy conditions on the green clay today, as 32 players seek one of 8 spots in the main draw, which begins Monday.

Sixteen Americans are in the qualifying field and four of those matches will be All-American: Coco Vandeweghe against Elvina Kalieva, Sophie Chang vs. Louisa Chirico, Robin Montgomery taking on Ashlyn Krueger and finally, Asia Muhammad against Eliza Mandlik. No American qualifier is ranked higher than a 7 seed (Vandeweghe) because if they had, they probably would have a main draw wild card by now.

Althea Gibson Court 10:00 a.m.

Vandeweghe vs. Kalieva

Chang vs. Chirico

Lisicki vs. Miyazaki

Mateas v. Watson

Court 3 10:00 a.m.

Loeb vs. Ormaechea

Montgomery vs. Krueger

Korpatsch (1) vs. Li

Muhammad vs. Mandlik

Court 4 10:00 a.m.

Frech vs. Glushko

Mladenovic vs. Di Lorenzo

Lee vs. Day

Townsend vs. Zacarias (UPDATE: Townsend W/D, Baptiste in)

Court 5 10:00 a.m.

Ce vs. Sebov

Siegemund vs. Vickery

Golubic vs. Kawa

Friedsam vs. Hovde

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Sold Out @CitiOpen Saturday Play Sizzles; Tournament Steps Up to Match @Andy_Murray Ukraine Relief Funds

Posted by Admin on July 30, 2022
Posted in: ATP, ATP Qualifying, Citi Open, Washington, WTA. Tagged: , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Sold Out Citi Open Saturday Play Sizzles; Tournament Steps Up to Match @Andy_Murray Ukraine Relief Funds

Steve Fogleman in Washington

WASHINGTON–The opening day of the 2022 Citi Open was one of the most action-packed days I’ve witnessed in over 20 years of attendance at the pro tennis tournament at Rock Creek Park in Washington. In years past, qualifying weekend was a somewhat low key affair, with free tickets and food and bouncy houses to attract families to the event. Last year, the King of Clay featured a qualifying weekend sellout and a packed stadium for Rafael Nadal’s practice sessions. So I was a little surprised to see a full house today to cheer on American players trying to make it into the main draw and watch practice sessions for Venus Williams, Simona Halep and others.

I almost missed the first match of the day as Tulane alum Dominik Koepfer needed only 42 minutes to dispatch Ryan Colby, 6-0, 6-0. Tomorrow, Koepfer will look for a main draw berth with a win against 19-year-old Shintaro Mochizuki, who advanced 6-1, 6-2 against American Alex Lawson.

Michael Mmoh, who has roots in the Washington area, routined his compatriot Raymond Sarmiento, 6-4, 6-2, and will square off against fellow American J.C. Aragone, who needed three sets to knock off Bruno Kuzuhara, 6-3, 6-7(3), 6-4.

The women’s top qualifying seed Xiyu Wang topped Jamie Loeb, 6-4, 6-1, and the seeded women’s qualifiers did quite well today, with Heather Watson (3), Catherine McNally (7) and Sachia Vickery (8) all advancing to a final tomorrow. A notable exception was the 6 seed, Yue Yuan, who lost in three sets to Louisa Chirico on Stadium Court.

And finally, Citi Open tournament owner Mark Ein had a special announcement of the top of Andy Murray’s pre-tournament press conference at noon today. Murray, who has earmarked his summer tour earnings for Ukraine relief funding, will have his donations matched by the tournament. Murray had preciously announced that he would donate his tour earnings to the UNICEF Ukraine fund and now has double the reason to keep winning.

2010 @USOpen Finalist @VeraZvonareva Qualifies for Main Draw

Posted by Admin on August 24, 2018
Posted in: New York, US Open, US Open Qualifying, WTA. Tagged: , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

IMG_7099

It was the best of times. It was the worst times. Maybe it was a little of both, depending on how qualifying at the US Open turned out for you or your favorite player. But for me, it was a great time watching 2010 finalist Vera Zvonareva face sudden death a couple of times today to pull herself through a tough three set match against Lin Zhu to qualify for the main draw, 6-2, 4-6, 7-5 win in 2 hours and 43 minutes. It wasn’t the prettiest tennis Zvonareva has played, saving 5 of 9 break point opportunities, but it was enough to get back to the main draw.

After the match and right before trotting off to the Tennis Channel, I asked her how special it was to do it the hard way.

“Well of course it’s very important,” she told me. “I’ve been playing on the big stages before, but now I had to go through the qualifying. You know, when I started last year, I won in the first round but lost in the second round of qualifying. So I was happy to come back here again and thought ‘well, I’ll give it another try’ and of course, I’m very happy to be in the main draw now.”

If the fans on Court 4 today were any indication, there’s a lot people very happy she’s in the main draw.

Easter Sunday Qualifiers Ready to Disrupt Main Draw @VolvoCarOpen

Posted by Admin on April 2, 2018
Posted in: Charleston, Volvo Car Open, WTA. Tagged: , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Georgina Garcia Perez, 2018 Volvo Car Open

Georgina Garcia Perez, 2018 Volvo Car Open

As the rest of Charleston went to church on Easter Sunday, some chose to go to the Church of Tennis Island. We heard eight rousing sermons of triumph and perseverance in the face of adversity on that sunny Sunday in the outdoor chapels of the Family Circle Cup Tennis Center as eight women advanced to the main draw of the Volvo Car Open.

Fanny Stollar, 2018 Volvo Car Open (Photo: Tennis Atlantic)

Fanny Stollar, 2018 Volvo Car Open

Fanny Stollar was back. In fact, Fanny is a perfect name in an Easter story. Stollar flew through the first set against Ulrikke Eikeri and the crowd started thinking this was going to be a short service. Then, Eikeri roared back in the second, jumping out to a 3-0 lead before Stollar ended the service 6-1, 6-4. After the match, in which she played much better tennis than Saturday, she wasn’t answering my questions, stopping only to sign a tiny fraction of the autographs requested by fans. I’m not sure if she wasn’t well or if she is just in her own little zone, but most players in Charleston are friendlier to the fans.

Francesca Di Lorenzo was workmanlike in her 4-6, 6-1, 6-1 victory over Alla Kudryavtseva on Althea Gibson stadium court. The young American and former Ohio State standout (thanks Colette Lewis!) also played a better match than she did in the opening qualifying round. After dropping the first set, she kicked her game into high gear and the match was never in doubt thereafter. Her next opponent is none other than Fanny Stollar.

Maryland’s Sophie Chang went up 5-0 in the first set of her match against Silvia Soler-Espinosa and then the Spaniard also turned on the afterburners and took the match 3-6, 6-1, 6-0. All in all, it was a good weekend for the 20-year-old Chang, who was playing her first ever qualifying for a premier event.

Caroline Dolehide has the USTA clay in Orlando to thank for her winning ways over the weekend. She beat Misaki Doi of Japan in straight sets and will play Johanna Larsson this afternoon.

Kayla Day and Georgina Garcia Perez put on a marathon match and it was the Spaniard who prevailed in 3 tight sets. Today, Garcia Perez meets Camila Giorgi.

Yes, the sermons were long, but they were never boring. And the best part about this religion is that it’s not reserved for Sundays. The revival tent will be here all week.

VOLVO CAR OPEN – CHARLESTON, USA
$800,000
APRIL 2 – 8, 2018

RESULTS – APRIL 1, 2018

Women’s
Qualifying Singles – Second Round
Qualifying – [3] V. Lapko (BLR) d [WC] J. Pegula (USA) 75 64
Qualifying – [5] C. Dolehide (USA) d [10] M. Doi (JPN) 76(7) 63
Qualifying – [7] G. Garcia Perez (ESP) d [12] K. Day (USA) 62 67(3) 64
Qualifying – [8] M. Zanevska (BEL) d [9] D. Yastremska (UKR) 76(4) 26 63
Qualifying – C. Liu (USA) d [11] I. Bara (ROU) 76(5) 36 62
Qualifying – [14] S. Soler-Espinosa (ESP) d S. Chang (USA) 36 61 61
Qualifying – F. Stollar (HUN) d [16] U. Eikeri (NOR) 61 64
Qualifying – F. di Lorenzo (USA) d A. Kudryavtseva (RUS) 46 61 61

ORDER OF PLAY – MONDAY, APRIL 2, 2018
VOLVO CAR STADIUM start 10:00 am
K. Bondarenko (UKR) vs [14] A. Cornet (FRA)
V. Lepchenko (USA) vs A. Petkovic (GER)
J. Brady (USA) vs [10] N. Osaka (JPN)
A. Krunic (SRB) vs [WC] B. Mattek-Sands (USA)

ALTHEA GIBSON CLUB COURT start 10:00 am
C. Mchale (USA) vs Z. Diyas (KAZ)
[11] D. Gavrilova (AUS) vs O. Jabeur (TUN)
[Q] S. Soler-Espinosa (ESP) vs C. Giorgi (ITA)
J. Larsson (SWE) vs [Q] C. Dolehide (USA)

COURT 3 start 10:00 am
B. Pera (USA) vs J. Cepelova (SVK)
[12] K. Bertens (NED) vs V. Cepede Royg (PAR)
[Q] V. Lapko (BLR) vs [15] M. Buzarnescu (ROU)
[3] A. Klepac (SLO) / M. Martínez Sánchez (ESP) vs A. Rosolska (POL) / A. Spears (USA)

COURT 4 start 10:00 am
L. Siegemund (GER) vs N. Vikhlyantseva (RUS)
[Q] F. Stollar (HUN) vs [Q] F. di Lorenzo (USA)

Not Before 2:00 pm
P. Hercog (SLO) vs [Q] M. Zanevska (BEL)
T. Maria (GER) / K. Pliskova (CZE) vs [WC] L. Arruabarrena (ESP) / S. Errani (ITA)

VOLVO CAR OPEN – CHARLESTON, USA
$800,000
April 2 – 8, 2018

Women’s Singles

First Round
[1] C. Garcia (FRA) – Bye
V. Lepchenko (USA) vs. A. Petkovic (GER)
P. Hercog (SLO) vs. [Q] M. Zanevska (BEL)
K. Bondarenko (UKR) vs. [14] A. Cornet (FRA)
[12] K. Bertens (NED) vs. V. Cepede Royg (PAR)
A. Krunic (SRB) vs. [WC] B. Mattek-Sands (USA)
[Q] F. Stollar (HUN) vs. [Q] F. di Lorenzo (USA)
[6] J. Konta (GBR) – Bye
[4] S. Stephens (USA) – Bye
B. Pera (USA) vs. J. Cepelova (SVK)
E. Bouchard (CAN) vs. [WC] S. Errani (ITA)
[Q] V. Lapko (BLR) vs. [15] M. Buzarnescu (ROU)
[11] D. Gavrilova (AUS) vs. O. Jabeur (TUN)
[Q] S. Soler-Espinosa (ESP) vs. C. Giorgi (ITA)
B. Haddad Maia (BRA) vs. L. Arruabarrena (ESP)
[7] M. Keys (USA) – Bye
[5] J. Goerges (GER) – Bye
K. Ahn (USA) vs. S. Stosur (AUS)
L. Siegemund (GER) vs. N. Vikhlyantseva (RUS)
J. Brady (USA) vs. [10] N. Osaka (JPN)
[13] I. Begu (ROU) vs. [Q] G. Garcia Perez (ESP)
[Q] C. Liu (USA) vs. M. Linette (POL)
C. Mchale (USA) vs. Z. Diyas (KAZ)
[3] D. Kasatkina (RUS) – Bye
[8] A. Sevastova (LAT) – Bye
J. Larsson (SWE) vs. [Q] C. Dolehide (USA)
L. Davis (USA) vs. T. Maria (GER)
S. Kenin (USA) vs. [9] A. Barty (AUS)
[16] E. Vesnina (RUS) vs. M. Brengle (USA)
H. Watson (GBR) vs. T. Townsend (USA)
K. Siniakova (CZE) vs. K. Pliskova (CZE)
[2] P. Kvitova (CZE) – Bye

 

Americans Looking to Lock Up a Spot in the Main Draw @VolvoCarOpen Today

Posted by Admin on April 1, 2018
Posted in: Charleston, Volvo Car Open, WTA. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Sophie Chang, 2018 Volvo Car Open (Photo: Tennis Atlantic)

Sophie Chang, 2018 Volvo Car Open (Photo: Tennis Atlantic)

Americans Looking to Lock Up a Spot in the Main Draw at Volvo Car Open Today
Steve Fogleman, Tennis Atlantic

The 45th edition of the Volvo Car Open in Charleston, South Carolina opened yesterday with sunny skies and temperatures in the high 50s, chilly weather for this event. The weather and the tennis heated up quickly. Nine American women looked to qualify for this WTA Premier event and by the end of the day, six remained. Francoise Abanda, the top qualifying seed, was the upset victim of the day when she fell in straight sets to American Francesca Di Lorenzo on the opening match at Althea Gibson stadium court.

“I’ve been practicing the last 4 weeks on clay,” DiLorenzo told me. “I took some training blocks. I’m moving forward with  my coach. I think it paid off today.”

Her serve wasn’t perfect, and she faced plenty of break points. It seemed like she hung around just long enough to win, even if it was in straight sets.

Francesca DiLorenzo, 2018 Volvo Car Open (Photo: Tennis Atlantic)

Francesca DiLorenzo, 2018 Volvo Car Open (Photo: Tennis Atlantic)

“It’s always tough in a first round match playing a high ranked player,” she said. “You can’t give away a lot. I knew I had to grind it out and stay until the end, because she’s a great player who goes for big shots.”

She’ll face Alla Kudryavtseva for a spot in the main draw in what may be the biggest match of DiLorenzo’s  pro career.

Maryland’s Sophie Chang posted an impressive win over veteran Arina Rodionova in three tight sets yesterday to advance, 4-6, 7-6(5), 7-6(2). A contingent of Maryland fans made the trip to see Chang’s debut in a Premier level tour event. Today’s match against Silvia Soler-Espinosa is easily the biggest of her life.

Sophie Chang, 2018 Volvo Car Open (Photo: Tennis Atlantic)

Sophie Chang, 2018 Volvo Car Open (Photo: Tennis Atlantic)

Chang played at Churchville, Maryland’s recreational “Munchkin” program since she was three and now trains at Suburban Club with Ross Coleman and Hawkeye Tennis. After the match ended, she didn’t know who she’d be playing in her next match and she didn’t care. As for Maryland, she acknowledges it isn’t exactly Tennis Central. “It’s not, but we’ve had some greats come out of there, Pam Shriver, and uh, who else?,” she said, before adding:

“I’m hoping to change that.”

Fanny Stollar, 2018 Volvo Car Open (Photo: Tennis Atlantic)

Fanny Stollar, 2018 Volvo Car Open (Photo: Tennis Atlantic)

Last year’s Cinderella in Charleston was Fanny Stollar. Stollar qualified for the main draw and knocked off Elena Vesnina when Vesnina was on a hot streak last year. The Fanny Stollar Show is still alive, because Stollar somehow prevailed in three against Jil Teichmann, 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(10). It was never clear that Stollar was going to win the match, and Stollar’s mood swings were as wild as the score. As soon as the match was over, Stollar marched for the locker room and she clearly wasn’t interested in giving up a quote. Her coach, Andrew Szatmary, was happy to talk about the message he gave her when he visited her on court near the end of the third set: “Stay positive and keep the pressure on the forehand. She got back (at 5-6) and it was amazing tennis at the end.” Stollar’s 2018 Charleston run has Ulrikke Eikeri in the way. The Norwegian was yesterday’s first winner, a two set breezer against South Africa’s Zoe Kruger. After the match, both players were in a good mood and signed autographs side by side. I always appreciate good sportsmanship and Kruger showed a lot of it yesterday.

Ulrikke Eikeri, 2018 Volvo Car Open (Photo: Tennis Atlantic)

Ulrikke Eikeri, 2018 Volvo Car Open

American Caroline Dolehide also ended up in the winner’s circle yesterday after a 6-3, 7-6(5) win over veteran American Maria Sanchez.

Caroline Dolehide, 2018 Volvo Car Open (Photo: Tennis Atlantic)

Caroline Dolehide, 2018 Volvo Car Open (Photo: Tennis Atlantic)

“I play on a lot of red clay at USTA Orlando and last week we moved to the green clay,” Dolehide said. “I love it. Slow. It can be tough to play but I’m liking it.” On beating a veteran American, she told me: “It feels good. I’ve played a lot of Americans obviously. It’s tough to play one in the first round, but it was a really good match.”

The 19-year-old matches up against another veteran today in Misaki Doi.

VOLVO CAR OPEN – CHARLESTON, USA
$800,000
APRIL 2 – 8, 2018

RESULTS – MARCH 31, 2018

Women’s
Qualifying Singles – First Round
Qualifying – F. di Lorenzo (USA) d [1] F. Abanda (CAN) 63 64
Qualifying – S. Chang (USA) d [2] Ar. Rodionova (AUS) 46 76(5) 76(2)
Qualifying – [3] V. Lapko (BLR) d S. Aoyama (JPN) 76(3) 64
Qualifying – F. Stollar (HUN) d [4] J. Teichmann (SUI) 75 46 76(10)
Qualifying – [5] C. Dolehide (USA) d M. Sanchez (USA) 63 76(5)
Qualifying – C. Liu (USA) d [6] P. Schnyder (SUI) 76(2) 64
Qualifying – [7] G. Garcia Perez (ESP) d G. Arn (HUN) 62 76(5)
Qualifying – [8] M. Zanevska (BEL) d G. Dabrowski (CAN) 75 61
Qualifying – [9] D. Yastremska (UKR) d S. Karatantcheva (BUL) 67(1) 64 64
Qualifying – [10] M. Doi (JPN) d Z. Yang (CHN) 61 57 64
Qualifying – [11] I. Bara (ROU) d [WC] E. Halbauer (USA) 62 75
Qualifying – [12] K. Day (USA) d An. Rodionova (AUS) 76(4) 67(0) 64
Qualifying – A. Kudryavtseva (RUS) d [13] D. Seguel (CHI) 75 46 62
Qualifying – [14] S. Soler-Espinosa (ESP) d [WC] N. Melichar (USA) 64 64
Qualifying – [WC] J. Pegula (USA) d [15] G. Min (USA) 36 62 61
Qualifying – [16] U. Eikeri (NOR) d [WC] Z. Kruger (RSA) 61 64

ORDER OF PLAY – SUNDAY, APRIL 01, 2018
ALTHEA GIBSON CLUB COURT start 10:00 am
Qualifying – F. di Lorenzo (USA) vs A. Kudryavtseva (RUS)
Qualifying – [5] C. Dolehide (USA) vs [10] M. Doi (JPN)
Qualifying – [3] V. Lapko (BLR) vs [WC] J. Pegula (USA)

COURT 3 start 10:00 am
Qualifying – F. Stollar (HUN) vs [16] U. Eikeri (NOR)
Qualifying – S. Chang (USA) vs [14] S. Soler-Espinosa (ESP)
Qualifying – C. Liu (USA) vs [11] I. Bara (ROU)

COURT 4 start 12:00 noon
Qualifying – [7] G. Garcia Perez (ESP) vs [12] K. Day (USA)
Qualifying – [8] M. Zanevska (BEL) vs [9] D. Yastremska (UKR)

After Qualifying, @KanepiKaia Could be Dangerous at @USOpen

Posted by Admin on August 27, 2017
Posted in: New York, US Open, WTA. Tagged: , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Kaia Kanepi, 2017 US Open (Photo: Tennis Atlantic)

Kaia Kanepi, 2017 US Open (Photo: Tennis Atlantic)

After Qualifying, Kaia Kanepi Could be Dangerous at US Open
Steve Fogleman, Tennis Atlantic

Kaia Kanepi is lurking to bust your bracket. After dispatching Hsieh Su-wei, the #1 qualifying seed in New York last Friday in straight sets, Kanepi is ready for a run. Tennis Atlantic spoke with Kanepi after the 6-2, 6-4 qualifying final on Friday. She’d  previously beaten Nina Stojanović 6-2, 6-2 on Tuesday and went three sets with Louisa Chirico, 5-7, 7-5, 6-2 on Thursday.

“It’s a really amazing feeling, really. I have never done it at the US Open, made it through qualification, so it’s great,” she said. “It suits my game really well,” Kanepi said of the courts and conditions in New York. “I get a lot of support here and the Estonians love New York like I do,” she added.

Despite numerous injuries throughout her career and even a case of mononucleosis, her four tour titles and five Grand Slam quarterfinals, including the 2010 US Open, render her a serious threat. She won two tournaments this summer in Essen, Germany and Parnu, Estonia. Though those titles might not put the fear of god in her opponents, her resolve through qualifying at 11368–the zip code for the US Open–should.

She draws Francesca Schiavone on Tuesday in Round 1. Schiavone at #77 and Kanepi at #418 may look like a mismatch on paper but it’s not that simple. Though the two haven’t played in 5 years, the Estonian took the last two, with the last match a 6-3, 6-0 runaway by Kanepi in 2012. The winner of Tuesday’s first round match gets Lesia Tsurenko or Yanina Wickmayer. A Round 3 matchup could be against 6 seed Angelique Kerber, if either Kanepi or Kerber make it that far. And they’ve split their four tour head-to-heads.

You heard it here first. Kanepi could spell big trouble in this part of the draw.

 

In the City of Dreams, a Few More Realized at @USOpen Qualifying

Posted by Admin on August 26, 2017
Posted in: ATP, New York, US Open National Playoffs, US Open Qualifying, WTA. Tagged: , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Cameron Norrie, 2017 US Open
Stefano Travaglia, 2017 US Open
Tereza Martincova,, 2017 US Open
Tereza Martincova,, 2017 US Open
Viktoria Kuzmova,, 2017 US Open
Denis Shapovalov Match, 2017 US Open
Cameron Norrie, 2017 US Open

In the City of Dreams, a Few More Realized at US Open Qualifying
Steve Fogleman, Tennis Atlantic

It was another glorious day in a vainglorious city. I like the way that sounds, but it’s not correct because this part of New York never cared much for keeping up appearances, unless you count all of the auto body shops that want to get those ugly dents out of your ride. Yes, all of the glory in New York was solidly in Queens yesterday, as 32 players punched their ticket to the biggest dance of all at the US Open.

For Viktoria Kuzmova, it was fitting that her first grand slam main draw should be in New York. A 2016 US Open Junior Finalist, Kuzmova showed the poise on these courts that took her so far in juniors, and the fact that they’re playing on outer courts, and not Arthur Ashe Stadium, made it all so familiar.

She beat Francoise Abanda yesterday, who qualified for the main draw last year. “I feel amazing,” Kuzmova said after the match. “I played this year for the first time in qualifying at Roland Garros and Wimbledon and I didn’t pass, but now I made it to the main draw so I’m really happy..I’m really excited it happened here,” she said. She meets Venus Williams in Round 1. Welcome to the big leagues.

For French journeyman Vincent Millot, who’s played in every grand slam main draw except New York, it was equally gratifying. The 31-year-old let out a primal scream after the win against Simone Bolelli. “On the court, at the end, I was so tense because I was thinking about this thing,” he said. “Actually, since I’m young, this is my favorite one, and all these years, I was so tense when I was playing here. And qualifying for me this year, so good,” he added with a smile as you watched the tension release from his body and mind. Millot can now check this off of the bucket list and get on to beating Santiage Giraldo in round 1.

Maximilian Marterer, who impressed me in his qualifying run to Cincinnati, backed that up with his maiden trip to a grand slam main draw by taking out top seed Leo Mayer in a 6-4, 7-5 affair. Mayer was disgusted and smacked his racket after the handshake. Marterer, in typical German understatement style, didn’t whoop it up like Millot or the others. He casually told me after the match, “yeah, I’m really happy with my travel here to the United States. It’s the first time for me playing grand slam main draw. I’m feeling incredible right now,” he said, without much emotion on his face. “I already lost twice against (Mayer) before, so I’m happy I did it better,” he said. He was content. Contentment buys him an opener against Donald Young. For his part, Mayer made it through as a lucky loser and faces Gasquet.

Tereza Martincova admitted that she got a little nervous when she saw compatriot Andrea Hlavackova watching her qualifying final. “It’s so good when she was here. I started to be a little nervous. We are friends but it’s perfect when you have some friends and they want to support you. It’s a big help for me,” she said. She had some fans in her corner and not surprisingly, she’s a big fan of the US Open. “Of course, because it’s amazing here,” she said. “They’re so many fans and it’s great to play here. I think it’s the best grand slam here,” she added. Martincova makes her grand slam main draw debut next week against Caroline Garcia after knocking out Georgia Brescia 7-5, 6-4 on Court 16. Interestingly, Court 16 was the only court yesterday where no player had ever been to a major main draw. That was bound to change, and Sofya Zhuk also reached her career pinnacle on Court 16 to advance.

I felt like the Publisher’s Clearinghouse Prize Patrol yesterday as I walked around the outer courts and reminded the players that they had just won qualifying tennis’ greatest prize. ‘You just won $50,000 and the memory of lifetime! What are you going to do now?’ A: Um, practice even harder?

I noticed this morning that the Connecticut Open drew 45,688 fans through eight days of qualifying and main draw matches with some of the biggest names in women’s tennis. The US Open qualifying tournament, which offers free admission, drew 41,612. It looks like the secret is out. As much as I’d hate to see it, the US Open might want to consider charging for it to tip the balance in favor of Connecticut. New Haven is a great tournament, but unfortunately it’s an afterthought for New York and Connecticut tennis fans as the Open sucks up all of the oxygen in the region. With the level of drama in New York on Friday, it might still be a challenge for the WTA tournament 72 miles up I-95.

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.

.@CitiOpen Champ @KateMakarova1 & World No. 16 Sevastova Bring Star Quality To Qualifying Draw @CtOpen

Posted by Admin on August 8, 2017
Posted in: Connecticut Open, New Haven Open, WTA. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

2017 Connecticut Open
CITI OPEN CHAMPION MAKAROVA AND WORLD NO.16 SEVASTOVA BRING STAR QUALITY TO QUALIFYING DRAW AT CONNECTICUT OPEN

Doubles wild card awarded to Genie Bouchard and Sloane Stephens

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NEW HAVEN, Conn., August 8, 2017 – Citi Open champion Ekaterina Makarova and runner-up Julia Goerges will headline a qualifying draw full of players recapturing their best form and talented teenagers at the Connecticut Open presented by United Technologies, it was announced today by Tournament Director Anne Worcester.

Katerina Makarova

Wimbledon doubles champion Makarova, who won her first singles title in more than three years after coming from behind to defeat Goerges in Washington DC, will be joined in the 48-player qualifying draw by 2017 Wimbledon semi-finalist Magdalena Rybarikova (Connecticut Open finalist in 2014) and World No.16 Anastasija Sevastova, who won her first title in seven years at this year’s Mallorca Open after retiring in 2013.

Julia Goerges

Other dangerous names include Czech Katerina Siniakova, who won her second title of the year defeating four-time Connecticut Open champion Caroline Wozniacki in the final of Bastad, and Bucharest champion Irina-Camelia Begu of Romania. On the home front, Americans Shelby Rogers, Christina McHale and Varvara Lepchenko will attempt to reach the main draw.

Nine Top 50 players, six of whom have won at least one WTA singles title this year, will compete in the top-quality qualifying competition of the WTA Premier event that begins on Friday, August 18 at the Connecticut Tennis Center at Yale. Tickets to the action on Friday and Saturday cost $7.

Also competing for a spot in the prestigious main draw are a bevy of talented teenagers, headlined by Japan’s Naomi Osaka, 19, and the Czech Republic’s Marketa Vondrousova, 18. Vondrousova began the season ranked outside the Top 400 before winning her first WTA title in Biel/Bienne and making her Top 100 debut.
Also in the mix are former teenage phenoms Ashleigh Barty and Donna Vekic plus rising stars Natalia Vikhlyantseva of Russia, France’s Oceane Dodin, and Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia.
“Our qualifying draw is full of exciting players who have proven themselves on the biggest stages in tennis and future stars who are breaking through,” said Worcester. “Rybarikova, Makarova and Sevastova are all playing some of the best tennis of their careers while Vondrousova and Osaka are the new kids on the block. The top of women’s tennis is so competitive right now and the strength in depth of our qualifying draw proves that. For $7 a ticket on Friday and Saturday, fans will be in for a real treat.”

Worcester also announced a doubles wild card for crowd favorites Sloane Stephens and Genie Bouchard (both of whom are receiving singles wild cards), who paired up to reach the final of the Citi Open last week.

For the first time in its history, the tournament guaranteed a wild card for a member of the Yale University tennis team. The lucky recipient is 18-year-old Samantha Martinelli from Denver, Colorado. Martinell’s impressive junior career included winning the 2015 U-16 Asics Easter Bowl and the 2015 U-16 National Clay Courts Singles title, as well as being ranked as high as No.2 in the United States U-16.

Martinelli will join Grand Slam legend Martina Navratilova in a mixed doubles exhibition following the 7pm night session match on Monday, August 21. For one of the two sets, Navratilova will play mixed doubles with Cameron Lickle, a former captain of the United States Naval Academy tennis team, against his business partner, seven-time Grand Slam singles champion Mats Wilander and a WTA player to be named.

The second set will be a Yale extravaganza with Navratilova appearing with and against former Yale No.1 Marc Powers (class of ’13), Martinelli (’21) and Jeff Dawson (’09), a New HYTEs board member and another former top Bulldog. For more information about the 2017 Connecticut Open, to volunteer to be part of our team and to purchase tickets visit http://www.ctopen.org
or call 203-776-7331.

Richest Purse in Tennis: Qualifying For @USOpen Main Draw Now Worth $50,000

Posted by Admin on July 18, 2017
Posted in: ATP, US Open, WTA. Tagged: , , , , , . Leave a comment

US Open 2015
2017 MARKS MILESTONE YEAR FOR PLAYERS AT THE US OPEN AS TOTAL COMPENSATION TOPS $50 MILLION FOR FIRST TIME

Each Singles Champion to Receive $3.7 Million Payout

US Open Qualifying Jumps Nearly $1 Million with $2.9 Million Now on the Line

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., July 18, 2017 – The USTA today announced that the prize money for the 2017 US Open will increase by more than $4 million, bringing the total purse for the tournament to a record $50.4 million, a 9 percent increase over the 2016 US Open prize money totals. With those increases, the US Open becomes the first tennis tournament in history with total prize money compensation topping $50 million. Once again, the tournament will provide the richest purse in tennis history.

Both the men’s and women’s singles champions will earn $3.7 million, the largest payout in US Open history. The average increase per round for the singles competition is 7.5 percent above the 2016 US Open. Similar to the past two years, the largest percentage gains by round are in the first and second rounds of the tournament. Both the men’s and women’s doubles champion teams will earn $675,000, the highest in US Open history, and overall doubles prize money has been increased by 8.6 percent. The US Open Qualifying Tournament will offer more than $2.9 million in prize money, an unprecedented 49.2 percent increase over 2016.

“Five years ago, we committed to the players that total player compensation for players would reach $50 million at the US Open, and we are honoring that commitment,” said USTA Chairman of the Board and President Katrina Adams. “In addition to unprecedented prize money increases, players also will see a host of new amenities at this year’s tournament including upgrades to Player Dining, a more generous meal allowance, upgrades to all player workout facilities, and additional quiet room space. Our goal is to make every experience at the US Open, whether for the players, our fans, or our partners, the best, world-class experience possible.”

Twenty years ago, the US Open was transformed by the introduction of Arthur Ashe Stadium. The new centerpiece of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Arthur Ashe Stadium providing the game’s greats – and its greatest fans – with a stage unmatched in the sport’s annals. Boasting a capacity of more than 23,000, Arthur Ashe Stadium became the largest tennis-only stadium in the world, allowing the Open to welcome more than half a million more fans than when its namesake won the men’s singles championship in 1968. Best of all, the stadium has grown with the times. In 2016, it added a retractable roof, banishing rain delays to the historical record and ensuring that the US Open’s loyal legion of supporters could continue to experience the grandeur of US Open tennis regardless of the weather. Today, Arthur Ashe Stadium stands as the ultimate showcase for the world’s finest players to complete the toughest two weeks in tennis.

This year’s US Open is scheduled for August 28 through September 10, with the US Open Qualifying Tournament beginning on August 22. The USTA is continuing its transformation of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center with a new Louis Armstrong Stadium in 2018.

—USTA