
The Queen City. Borough of Queens. Fuhgeddaboutit!

Sebastian Korda, 2018 AO Boy’s Champion

Mackenzie McDonald, 2018 Citi Open (Photo: Tennis Atlantic)



Cici Bellis


Shelby Rogers, 2017 Volvo Car Open (Photo: Tony Callaio, Tennis Atlantic)
The Queen City. Borough of Queens. Fuhgeddaboutit!
Sebastian Korda, 2018 AO Boy’s Champion
Mackenzie McDonald, 2018 Citi Open (Photo: Tennis Atlantic)
Cici Bellis
Shelby Rogers, 2017 Volvo Car Open (Photo: Tony Callaio, Tennis Atlantic)
Shelby Rogers (Photo: Craig Glover)
DANIEL ISLAND, S.C. – Charleston native Shelby Rogers will return to her hometown to play in the 2018 Volvo Car Open. She joins Caroline Garcia, Johanna Konta, Sloane Stephens, Petra Kvitová, Madison Keys, Daria Kasatkina and CiCi Bellis in the field. The Volvo Car Open will take place March 31 – April 8, 2018 on Daniel Island in Charleston, South Carolina.
The 25-year-old Rogers grew up in Charleston, where she trained at the Family Circle Tennis Center and participated in the ball crew program for the Volvo Car Open. A now infamous photo features a seven-year-old Rogers handing 2001 Charleston champion Jennifer Capriati her winning flowers as part of her official ball crew duties.
Shelby Rogers, 2017 Volvo Car Open (Photo: Tony Callaio, Tennis Atlantic)
In 2010, Rogers made her debut in the Volvo Car Open tournament when she competed in its qualifying rounds. This year will mark her tenth time competing in front of her loyal, hometown crowd.
“I feel so lucky to have the opportunity to compete each year in the Volvo Car Open,” said Rogers. “The support I feel from the fans is truly incredible. I wouldn’t miss coming to Charleston and playing in this tournament for the world!”
Shelby Rogers, 2017 Volvo Car Open (Photo: Tony Callaio, Tennis Atlantic)
The 2017 Volvo Car Open was a ‘Cinderella moment’ for Rogers, where she competed in four main draw matches in the tournament – three of which were decided in three sets. It was the first time Rogers reached the quarterfinals in the tournament.
“We always enjoy having Shelby return home to compete in the Volvo Car Open,” said Eleanor Adams, Volvo Car Open Tournament Manager. “We have had the joy of watching her grow up on our courts, and develop into a top player on the tour. After last year’s run into our quarterfinals, we could feel the energy in the stadium from Shelby’s loving Charleston fanbase, and look forward to seeing the support again in April.”
This past season Rogers also reached the quarterfinals in Hobart and Strasbourg.
In August, Rogers defeated Daria Gavrilova at the U.S. Open in the longest women’s single match in the tournament’s history. The record-breaking three hours and 33 minutes featured a 90-minute final set.
—A. Alpino, Volvo Car Open
Shelby Rogers (Photo: Tony Callaio, Tennis Atlantic)
Shelby Rogers Defeats Daria Gavrilova in Longest-Ever US Open Women’s Match
August 31, 2017 — Shelby Rogers, of Charleston, S.C., defeated 25th-seeded Daria Gavrilova, of Australia, 7-6(6), 4-6, 7-6(5), in a second-round match that took 3 hours, 33 minutes, setting a record for the longest women’s match in US Open history.
Shelby Rogers, 2017 Volvo Car Open (Photo: Tony Callaio, Tennis Atlantic)
The previous record was 3 hours, 23 minutes, set when Johanna Konta defeated Garbine Muguruza in the 2015 second round, 7-6, 6-7, 6-2.
A 24-year old currently ranked No. 62, Rogers — whose best result at a Grand Slam came by reaching the quarterfinals at the 2016 French Open — will play fourth-seeded Ukrainian Elina Svitolina in the third round.
–USTA
Veterans vs. Teens: Game On at @VolvoCarOpen Semifinals
Tony Callaio, Tennis Atlantic
Mirjana Lucic-Baroni (Photo: Tony Callaio)
From 16 seeds down to one as another day of upsets continued on the clay courts at the Volvo Car Open on Day 5.
Windy conditions again hampered play as two teenagers and two veterans emerged to make it into the semi-finals on Saturday. Eleventh seed Mirjana Lucic-Baroni, the 35-year old veteran, continues to have a resurgence in her career as she overcame local hometown favorite Shelby Rogers 6-7(7), 6-1, 6-1. Rogers grew up playing on the same courts she battled Lucic-Baroni in the quarterfinals.
Rogers played even with Lucic-Baroni as she took the first set in a tiebreak. “I thought I played really well in the first set, was super patient, kind of weathering the storm,” Rogers said. In post match press, Rogers said she pulled an abdominal muscle the night before against Naomi Osaka.
Lucic-Baroni took over in the second and third sets getting stronger as the match went on. “I really didn’t focus much on her,” Lucic-Baroni said. “I stepped it up a lot and I got really mad at myself after losing that set because I felt like I was there.”
Jelena Ostapenko (Photo: Tony Callaio)
The upset of the day happened when 19-year old Latvian Jelena Ostapenko, ranked 66 in the World, took out the highest seed left, No. 5 Caroline Wozniacki 6-2, 6-4. Ostapenko, making her first trip to Charleston had 40 winners against 26 unforced errors.
“Yeah, I was trying to no make so many unforced errors and still stay aggressive,” Ostapenko said. “That’s the way I play usually and yeah, I think I served pretty well today.”
Laura Siegemund (Photo: Tony Callaio)
Germany’s Laura Siegemund continued her hot streak at Charleston by taking out Latvian Anastasija Sevastova 6-2, 6-4 in difficult conditions catapulting her into the semis.
Daria Kasatkina (Photo: Tony Callaio)
Nineteen-year old Daria Kasatkina took out the 10th seed Irina-Camelia Begu of Romania 6-4, 6-1.
Semi-final action beings on Stadium court at 1 p.m. where Kasatkina will face Siegmund followed by Lucic-Baroni and Ostapenko.
RESULTS – APRIL 7, 2017
Women’s
Singles – Quarterfinals
J. Ostapenko (LAT) d [5] C. Wozniacki (DEN) 62 64
L. Siegemund (GER) d [8] A. Sevastova (LAT) 62 64
D. Kasatkina (RUS) d [10] I. Begu (ROU) 64 61
[11] M. Lucic-Baroni (CRO) d S. Rogers (USA) 67(7) 61 61
Women’s
Doubles – Quarterfinals
[1] B. Mattek-Sands (USA) / L. Safarova (CZE) d J. Brady (USA) / A. Riske (USA) 63 62
A. Groenefeld (GER) / K. Peschke (CZE) d A. Spears (USA) / K. Srebotnik (SLO) 75 62
ORDER OF PLAY – SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 2017
VOLVO CAR STADIUM start 1:00 pm
L. Siegemund (GER) vs D. Kasatkina (RUS)
[11] M. Lucic-Baroni (CRO) vs J. Ostapenko (LAT)
[1] B. Mattek-Sands (USA) / L. Safarova (CZE) vs A. Groenefeld (GER) / K. Peschke (CZE)
[4] L. Hradecka (CZE) / K. Siniakova (CZE) vs R. Atawo (USA) / J. Ostapenko (LAT)
Laura Siegemund (Photo: Tony Callaio, Tennis Atlantic)
Big Day for @Shelby_Rogers_ & @LauraSiegemund as @VolvoCarOpen Field Paired to Eight
Tony Callaio and Steve Fogleman, Tennis Atlantic
After a wacky Wednesday with lots of upsets, top remaining seed Caroline Wozniacki had to win twice in one of the windiest days in Charleston memory, which was impressive enough. But the real surprises continued to come from homegrown hero Shelby Rogers and the breakout Laura Siegemund, who advanced to the quarterfinals of the Volvo Car Open in Charleston, South Carolina.
A day after beating Venus Williams in three sets the day before, Siegemund made short work of Lucie Safarova, 6-2, 6-3 in 80 minutes. The punchy German came out swinging and never let up. “I wanted to be aggressive right away…I think she was surprised how aggressive I came out”, she told Tennis Channel immediately after the victory. She’ll face 8 seed Anastasija Sevastova in the second match after 1:00 p.m.
Shelby Rogers (Photo: Tony Callaio, Tennis Atlantic)
Shelby Rogers also made short work of her opponent, Naomi Osaka, in the nightcap. Rogers advanced to the Volvo Car Open quarters in 89 minutes in a 6-4, 6-2 home-court win. The venerable Mirjana Lucic-Baroni awaits Rogers in a match to be played after the conclusion of the Siegemund-Sevastova contest.
Begu upended Stosur 7-5, 6-3 when the winds kicked in creating rough conditions for the players. Stosur commented on the conditions in her post match press, “I mean if it’s like this at home, I don’t hit or go outdoors because it’s very hard to get any sort of rhythm.”
Conditions stayed gusty all afternoon into the evening with windy conditions promised for Friday’s action.
Caroline Wozniaki (Photo: Tony Callaio, Tennis Atlantic)
Wozniacki ended up doing double duty on the day when she had her regularly scheduled round of 16 match had to be played after she dispatched Beck in straight sets, 7-5, 6-1. She took on qualifier Anastasia Rodionova defeating her soundly 6-2, 6-3.
In other action, Sevastova d. Jabeur 7-5, 7-6(6); Ostapenko d. Stollar 6-1, 1-0 ret.; Lucic-Baroni d. Bertens 7-6(5), 6-4; Kasatkina d. Gavrilova 6-3, 4-6, 6-0.
ORDER OF PLAY – FRIDAY, APRIL 7, 2017
VOLVO CAR STADIUM start 10:45 am
A. Groenefeld (GER) / K. Peschke (CZE) vs A. Spears (USA) / K. Srebotnik (SLO)
Not Before 1:00 pm
[10] I. Begu (ROU) vs D. Kasatkina (RUS)
[8] A. Sevastova (LAT) vs L. Siegemund (GER)
S. Rogers (USA) or N. Osaka (JPN) vs [11] M. Lucic-Baroni (CRO)
Not Before 7:00 pm
J. Ostapenko (LAT) vs [5] C. Wozniacki (DEN)
[1] B. Mattek-Sands (USA) / L. Safarova (CZE) or [WC] E. Halbauer (USA) / S. Kenin (USA) vs J. Brady (USA) / A. Riske (USA)
Wild Wednesday as Stollar Shocks Vesnina, Rogers Rocks Keys at @VolvoCarOpen
Steve Fogleman and Tony Callaio, Tennis Atlantic
Fanny Stollar, Charleston 2017 (Photo Credit: Tony Callaio, TennisAtlantic.com)
It was a day when the rain never came, until it did. Many higher-ranked players and Americans probably prayed for the rain to come to the Volvo Car Open in the second and third sets of their matches to allow them to regroup mentally, but it didn’t.
The result? What tournament officials would privately consider a disaster: Americans Venus Williams, Madison Keys and Bethanie Mattek-Sands bowed out, as well as fan favorites Monica Puig and 2016 runner-up Elena Vesnina. The rain finally came, postponing the night session and dropping penny-sized hail nearby.
There were at least two silver linings in those storm clouds. Fanny Stollar, virtually unknown before the weekend, was the player to beat Vesnina and enter the round of 16. Having qualified for her first WTA tour event over the weekend, Stollar has now beaten Asia Muhammad and world #13 Elena Vesnina and will face Ostapenko today. And she really didn’t have any time to soak it in.
A jubilant Stollar of Hungry walked into the Media Center for post match press all smiles as she had just completed the biggest victory of her career when she knocked off No.4 seed Russian Elena Vesnina in a stunning upset 7-6(7), 7-6(3).
Stellar, ranked 282 in the world, dispatched Vesnina in the 2:05 match.
“It really feels good (to win), but it’s still not done, so I can’t be so happy about it because the next one is coming up,” said Stollar. “I just felt really calm and confident right now. So I don’t have any pressure on me at all. I’m just having fun and playing.”
Shelby Rogers, 2017 Volvo Car Open (Photo: Tony Callaio, Tennis Atlantic)
Though local fans would surely lament the loss of Madison Keys to the tournament, if someone had to do it, let it be Shelby. They got their wish as the hometown girl at her home tournament, dubbed “Ms. Roger’s Neighborhood” by Bethanie Mattek-Sands, made the most of the home-court advantage. Despite offering Keys chances to stick around, the listless top seed was no match for Rogers in a 4-6, 6-1, 6-1 runaway train ride. Rogers gets Naomi Osaka today and the winner gets Lucic-Baroni or Bertens. There is a real opportunity for Rogers to advance deep into her own neighborhood.
Shelby Rogers, 2017 Volvo Car Open (Photo: Tony Callaio, Tennis Atlantic)
If you listened to Keys and Williams at their press conferences on Monday, neither seemed to have a lot of fire in their belly. For Keys, it’s a slow recovery. For Venus, it’s just the grind of the tour. She jokingly(?) said it was her third time in Charleston, when it was actually her ninth. A senior moment?
Play starts at 11:00 a.m.
VOLVO CAR OPEN – CHARLESTON, SC, USA
$776,000
APRIL 3 – 9, 2017
RESULTS – APRIL 5, 2017
Women’s Singles – Second Round
S. Rogers (USA) d [1] M. Keys (USA) 46 61 61
L. Siegemund (GER) d [3] V. Williams (USA) 64 67(3) 75
[Q] F. Stollar (HUN) d [4] E. Vesnina (RUS) 76(7) 76(3)
[7] K. Bertens (NED) d K. Bondarenko (UKR) 62 75
[8] A. Sevastova (LAT) d A. Petkovic (GER) 63 64
[10] I. Begu (ROU) d K. Kucova (SVK) 46 62 76(6)
[11] M. Lucic-Baroni (CRO) d M. Barthel (GER) 63 62
N. Osaka (JPN) d [13] S. Zhang (CHN) 64 64
[15] L. Safarova (CZE) d [WC] B. Mattek-Sands (USA) 63 63
J. Ostapenko (LAT) d M. Sakkari (GRE) 62 46 62
[Q] A. Rodionova (AUS) d S. Errani (ITA) 62 62
[LL] O. Jabeur (TUN) d M. Linette (POL) 64 64
D. Kasatkina (RUS) d M. Puig (PUR) 60 67(3) 62
D. Gavrilova (AUS) d A. Riske (USA) 63 61
Women’s Doubles – First Round
[2] A. Hlavackova (CZE) / S. Mirza (IND) d D. Gavrilova (AUS) / D. Kasatkina (RUS) 16 63 10-3
[4] L. Hradecka (CZE) / K. Siniakova (CZE) d [Alt] D. Kovinic (MNE) / A. Krunic (SRB) 64 75
ORDER OF PLAY – THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 2017
VOLVO CAR STADIUM start 11:00 am
[6] S. Stosur (AUS) vs [10] I. Begu (ROU)
Not Before 12:30 pm
A. Beck (GER) vs [5] C. Wozniacki (DEN) 00
D. Kasatkina (RUS) vs D. Gavrilova (AUS)
[15] L. Safarova (CZE) vs L. Siegemund (GER)
[Q] A. Rodionova (AUS) vs A. Beck (GER) or [5] C. Wozniacki (DEN)
Not Before 7:00 pm
S. Rogers (USA) vs N. Osaka (JPN)
D. Jurak (CRO) / A. Rodionova (AUS) vs [4] L. Hradecka (CZE) / K. Siniakova (CZE)
ALTHEA GIBSON CLUB COURT start 11:00 am
[8] A. Sevastova (LAT) vs [LL] O. Jabeur (TUN)
[Q] F. Stollar (HUN) vs J. Ostapenko (LAT)
[11] M. Lucic-Baroni (CRO) vs [7] K. Bertens (NED)
R. Atawo (USA) / J. Ostapenko (LAT) vs [2] A. Hlavackova (CZE) / S. Mirza (IND)
[1] B. Mattek-Sands (USA) / L. Safarova (CZE) vs [WC] E. Halbauer (USA) / S. Kenin (USA)
COURT 3 start 1:00 pm
K. Bondarenko (UKR) / G. Dabrowski (CAN) vs A. Spears (USA) / K. Srebotnik (SLO)
I don’t think I love anything more than Charleston qualifying. It’s the unofficial beginning of my annual pro tennis tour and the baby sunburns I get in Charleston remind me of the scorching American hardcourt circuit ahead.
Tena Lukas? As Donald Trump would say, “Who knew keeping up with the WTA could be so hard?” Yes it is, but the previously unknown to me Lukas exasperated an impressive early crowd, many of whom left after the first set in a 6-1, 6-1 destruction of Samantha Crawford which commenced the Americans woes yesterday. When I asked her if she liked the Charleston surface, she gave the predictable but extremely enthusiastic “I do now!” response.
Only 3 Americans are left out of 11 in the first round of qualifying, but two emerged from All-American matches. There are players of 13 nationalities still vying for the 8 main draw spots to be awarded later today. Muhammad, Kenin and Min are your Americans on the march in qualifying.
Ana Bogdan, Charleston 2017 (TennisAtlantic.com)
Ana Bogdan was particularly animated after a 6-1, 6-0 55 minute slammer over Aleks Wozniack. Bogdan will play Romanian counterpart Alexandra Dulgheru in one of the final matches of the day. Speaking of Wozniak, I thought that the Canadian’s loss earlier in the day foreshadowed Caroline Wozniacki’s loss in Miami. I’m very superstitious that way. And Wozniak is showing such poor form that I expect little from her in the near future.
In the outdoor bar, I overheard one woman say, “but I do like Ted Cruz.” And I waited, but then she started onto something else. How was I to take this without context? It shall haunt me for time immemorial.
Draw Ceremony, Monica Puig, Charleston 2017 (TennisAtlantic.com)
Now for the draw ceremony. First of all, why are we still picking poker chips out of buckets in the 21st century? Second, two kids in front of me were really mad that Shelby Rogers wasn’t at the draw ceremony. They didn’t seem to care less that an Olympic Gold Medalist was right in front of them. They wanted their darn Shelby.
Here’s your Order of Play for this Sunday, April 2, which is the laziest day of the tourney for the next 5 days. It’s a chance for organizers and volunteers to put in a rare 9-5 workday and a chance for me to move out of North Charleston and enjoy slightly more reasonable downtown hotel weekday rates. It’s going to be a great day.
VOLVO CAR OPEN – CHARLESTON, SC, USA
$776,000
APRIL 3 – 9, 2017
RESULTS – APRIL 1, 2017
Women’s
Qualifying Singles – First Round
Qualifying – S. Kenin (USA) d [1] T. Townsend (USA) 64 63
Qualifying – [2] S. Soler-Espinosa (ESP) d J. Elie (USA) 75 61
Qualifying – [3] A. Bogdan (ROU) d A. Wozniak (CAN) 61 60
Qualifying – [4] A. Krunic (SRB) d E. Halbauer (USA) 62 62
Qualifying – [5] O. Jabeur (TUN) d A. Hlavackova (CZE) walkover
Qualifying – [6] G. Min (USA) d [WC] M. Gordon (USA) 63 75
Qualifying – [7] V. Cepede Royg (PAR) d C. Dolehide (USA) 63 63
Qualifying – A. Rodionova (AUS) d [8] S. Vickery (USA) 63 63
Qualifying – [9] A. Muhammad (USA) d D. Jurak (CRO) 64 60
Qualifying – A. Dulgheru (ROU) d [10] L. Hradecka (CZE) 62 63
Qualifying – T. Lukas (CRO) d [11] S. Crawford (USA) 61 61
Qualifying – J. Maleckova (CZE) d [12] C. Burger (NED) 26 64 76(6)
Qualifying – F. Stollar (HUN) d [13] T. Pereira (BRA) 61 60
Qualifying – F. Ferro (FRA) d [14] M. Gonzalez (PAR) 46 60 76(4)
Qualifying – [15] S. Karatantcheva (BUL) d [WC] C. Morra (USA) 64 63
Qualifying – A. Carreras (GBR) d [16] J. Teichmann (SUI) 75 62
ORDER OF PLAY – SUNDAY, APRIL 2, 2017
ALTHEA GIBSON CLUB COURT start 10:00 am
Qualifying – [2] S. Soler-Espinosa (ESP) vs T. Lukas (CRO)
Qualifying – S. Kenin (USA) vs F. Ferro (FRA)
Qualifying – [6] G. Min (USA) vs F. Stollar (HUN)
COURT 3 start 10:00 am
Qualifying – [7] V. Cepede Royg (PAR) vs A. Carreras (GBR)
Qualifying – A. Rodionova (AUS) vs [15] S. Karatantcheva (BUL)
Qualifying – [3] A. Bogdan (ROU) vs A. Dulgheru (ROU)
COURT 4 start 11:00 am
Qualifying – [4] A. Krunic (SRB) vs J. Maleckova (CZE)
Qualifying – [5] O. Jabeur (TUN) vs [9] A. Muhammad (USA)
VOLVO CAR OPEN EXTENDS MAIN DRAW WILD CARDS TO TWO YOUNG AMERICAN PLAYERS: SHELBY ROGERS AND LOUISA CHIRICO
10 Americans in main draw of 2016 Volvo Car Open
Louisa Chirico
DANIEL ISLAND, S.C. – The Volvo Car Open has extended wild cards into its main draw to two young American players, Shelby Rogers and Louisa Chirico. Main draw play begins on Monday, April 4th, with qualifying rounds taking place on April 2nd and 3rd.
There are now 10 American’s playing in the main draw of the tournament including Rogers and Chirico – Venus Williams, Madison Keys, Sloane Stephens, Madison Brengle, Christina McHale, Irina Falconi, Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Alison Riske are all in the field.
“Both Rogers and Chirico are two players on the rise,” said Eleanor Adams, Tournament Manager. “We typically award wild cards to young American players, and know that our fans will enjoy watching and rooting these two on.”
Shelby Rogers (Photo: Craig Glover)
Rogers, a Charleston native, has played in the Charleston WTA tournament six previous times, and the 2016 Volvo Car Open will mark her fourth time in its main draw. The World No. 104 has won four ITF singles titles and two ITF doubles titles. Rogers reached the finals in Rio de Janeiro earlier this year and made the third round of the 2015 US Open.
Chirico, currently ranked World No. 124, will play her fourth tournament in Charleston, and her first in the main draw. The American has won three ITF singles titles and two ITF doubles titles. Last year, she reached the finals in Limoges, the semifinals in Nantes and the quarterfinals in Washington D.C.
Q. Women’s Singles
First Round
[1] E. Vesnina (RUS) vs. S. Soler-Espinosa (ESP)
S. Sorribes Tormo (ESP) vs. [15] J. Pegula (USA)
[2] N. Osaka (JPN) vs. T. Martincova (CZE)
[WC] E. Halbauer (USA) vs. [9] J. Cepelova (SVK)
[3] S. Crawford (USA) vs. [WC] P. Schnyder (SUI)
C. Burger (NED) vs. [13] V. Cepede Royg (PAR)
[4] K. Siniakova (CZE) vs. [WC] R. Kingsley (USA)
A. Hlavackova (CZE) vs. [11] S. Karatantcheva (BUL)
[5] A. Tatishvili (USA) vs. M. Larcher de Brito (POR)
A. Sadikovic (SUI) vs. [12] K. Kucova (SVK)
[6] X. Han (CHN) vs. L. Kerkhove (NED)
[WC] L. Robson (GBR) vs. [10] P. Tig (ROU)
[7] C. Buyukakcay (TUR) vs. J. Boserup (USA)
A. Kudryavtseva (RUS) vs. [16] Y. Bonaventure (BEL)
[8] A. Krunic (SRB) vs. M. Oudin (USA)
J. Jaksic (SRB) vs. [14] A. Lim (FRA)
ORDER OF PLAY – SATURDAY, APRIL 02, 2016
ALTHEA GIBSON CLUB COURT start 10:00 am
Qualifying – [WC] E. Halbauer (USA) vs [9] J. Cepelova (SVK)
Qualifying – S. Sorribes Tormo (ESP) vs [15] J. Pegula (USA)
Qualifying – [3] S. Crawford (USA) vs [WC] P. Schnyder (SUI)
Qualifying – [8] A. Krunic (SRB) vs M. Oudin (USA)
COURT 3 start 10:00 am
Qualifying – [2] N. Osaka (JPN) vs T. Martincova (CZE)
Qualifying – [1] E. Vesnina (RUS) vs S. Soler-Espinosa (ESP)
Qualifying – [WC] L. Robson (GBR) vs [10] P. Tig (ROU)
Qualifying – [5] A. Tatishvili (USA) vs M. Larcher de Brito (POR)
COURT 4 start 10:00 am
Qualifying – [7] C. Buyukakcay (TUR) vs J. Boserup (USA)
Qualifying – [4] K. Siniakova (CZE) vs [WC] R. Kingsley (USA)
Qualifying – [6] X. Han (CHN) vs L. Kerkhove (NED)
Qualifying – A. Sadikovic (SUI) vs [12] K. Kucova (SVK)
COURT 5 start 10:00 am
Qualifying – A. Kudryavtseva (RUS) vs [16] Y. Bonaventure (BEL)
Qualifying – A. Hlavackova (CZE) vs [11] S. Karatantcheva (BUL)
Qualifying – C. Burger (NED) vs [13] V. Cepede Royg (PAR)
Qualifying – J. Jaksic (SRB) vs [14] A. Lim (FRA)
—A. Alpino, Volvo Car Open
Red Rock Pro Open Player Field Announced
Talented Group Includes Former World-Ranked No. 11 Peer,
U.S. Open Main Draw Players, and Former NCAA Singles and Doubles Winner Gibbs
SUMMERLIN (Sept. 22, 2015) – When Shelby Rogers squared off against fellow American Sachia Vickery in the first round of the U.S. Open, it was a match pitting two popular former and current Red Rock Pro Open players.
The 22-year-old South Carolina native Rogers, who won five consecutive matches at the year’s final Grand Slam, including three wins to qualify, beat the wild card Vickery, 6-2, 6-2, and won another round before falling to No. 2-seeded Simona Halep in the third round.
Telling reporters she was “loving every minute of her U.S. Open experience, Rogers said her third-round appearance was, “why we play the sport. That’s why we try to win each match, to get to the further rounds and play the bigger players.”
Las Vegas tennis fans will remember that Rogers made the final here in 2012, losing to Lauren Davis in three sets.
This year’s Red Rock Pro Open, a USTA Women’s $50,000 Pro Circuit tournament with WTA players ranging in the world rankings from No. 100 to No. 275, will include 64 singles players (32 qualifying and 32 main draw), and a 16-team doubles draw.
Former two-time NCAA singles champion Nicole Gibbs is expected to be one of the top seeded players, as will Shahar Peer. The 28-year-old from Israel has been ranked as high as No. 11 in the world, and has been a quarterfinalist at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open in her successful career.
As a sophomore in 2012, Gibbs pulled off a historic sweep of the year’s NCAA singles and doubles titles and became only the third player in NCAA history to capture both NCAA titles in the same season. Gibbs then repeated as NCAA singles champion the following year, before turning pro before her senior year.
“Las Vegas has always hosted a very competitive tournament and this year’s main draw talent showcases a few former Top 50 players including 2011 Las Vegas champ Romina Oprandi and former No. 11 Shahar Peer,” said tournament director Mike Copenhaver. “Nearly half of the main draw competitors this year are young, notable Americans, a site that we all love to see!”
Former Red Rock Pro Open player Anna Tatishvili is also entered in the main draw after a good run at the U.S. Open where she won three rounds in qualifying before shocking No. 8-seeded Karolina Pliskova in the first round, and then lost to 2014 Las Vegas winner Madison Brengle in the second round. Tatishvili reached a career-high ranking of No. 50 in 2012, the same year she reached the fourth round at the U.S. Open
The USTA-trained Louisa Chirico is another one to watch out for. Chirico has risen to the cusp of a top-100 ranking as a teenager. This summer, she defeated Top 25 player Alize Cornet to reach the quarterfinals at the Washington D.C. WTA event.
The 2011 Red Rock Pro Open champion Romina Oprandi was Switzerland is entered, as is the player she beat in the final, American Alexa Glatch. Glatch left Vegas with a first and a second having captured the doubles title with Mashona Washington.
Notable American in qualifying and past Red Rock Pro Open players include: former UCLA star Jennifer Brady, Julie Bosserup and Samantha Crawford, who won the 2012 U.S. Open Junior Girls’ singles title.
Premier sponsors include: Gaudin Jaguar of Las Vegas, Storage One, Sunrise Hospital, Lotus Broadcasting, Cox Communications, WG Communications Group, Rachel’s Kitchen, USTA Nevada, Marquis Aurbach Coffing, Marty Hennessy Foundation, and FedEx.
Support sponsors included: Darren Cahill, Marcy Saxe Realty One, Guild Mortgage Company, Allstate Insurance agent Dwain Frazier, Raymond James agent Dan Jackson, The Massage Advantage, Adidas, Wolf Rifkin, Agent Atleta, and Babolat.
In last year’s singles final, Brengle captured the singles title which launched her into the Top 100 and stirred her confidence to the point where she won her first WTA title to start 2015, and made the fourth round of the Australian Open. Brengle led the Mylan World TeamTennis Washington Kastles to a fifth consecutive summer title back in July, and now finds herself ranked inside the top 40.
It’s not uncommon for past Las Vegas players to go on and have success on the WTA Tour. Last year’s singles winner Madison Brengle is currently ranked No. 42 in the world. Other regulars on the Tour fulltime include Lauren Davis, Sorana Cirstea, Melanie Oudin, Varvara Lepchenko and Coco Vandeweghe.
A free Kid’s Day will take place once again on Sunday, Sept. 27 and will be sponsored by Sunrise Children’s Hospital with a special guest appearance by Brando Christo, the author and creator of the children’s tennis book “Buddy The Ball.”
A sponsor Pro-Am will be held on Monday, and the always popular Players’ Party is Tuesday night.
For ball kid information or to volunteer, go to: redrockproopen.com/volunteer; to sponsor the tournament, go to: redrockproopen.com/sponsors or contact Copenhaver at: mcopenhaver@redrockcc.com. For a complete schedule of events, go to: redrockproopen.com/schedule.
The tournament’s official website is http://www.RedRockProOpen.com. Follow along on Twitter @RedRockTennis and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/redrockproopen.
—Steve Pratt
2015 WTA Bogota (@CopaWTABogota) Preview, Predictions
Niall Clarke, Tennis Atlantic
I’m back (Imagine that in a Schwartznegger voice). Unfortunately, a change of house meant that I couldn’t access the internet for a week, but I’m back in time for the Claro Open Colsanitas in Bogota.
The Claro Open Colsanitas was upgraded to a WTA-level event in 1998 after being an ITF level event for five years. It’s since become one of the WTA’s most prestigious Latin America tournaments. Bogota’s own Fabiola Zuluaga holds the tournament record with 4 titles. Caroline Garcia took home the crown of Bogota champion last year defeating Jelena Jankovic in the final.
Claro Open Colsanitas
Tier: International
Location: Bogota, Colombia
Surface: Clay
Prize Money: $ 250,000
Date: April 13th- April 19th
The 8 seeded players (ranking)
1. Elina Svitolina (29)
2. Monica Puig (51)
3. Ajla Tomljanovic (60)
4. Francesca Schiavone (69)
5. Yaroslava Shvedova (78)
6. Shelby Rogers (80)
7. Timea Babos (87)
8. Irina Falconi (88)
The field is fairly weak with only one top 50 player competing in the tournament. But what that does is open the draw up nicely for a player to gain confidence with a title win.
First round matches to watch:
Sorana Cirstea vs (8) Irina Falconi
With such a depleted draw, it’s hard to really find a mouth-watering first round match-up, but this one stuck out. The reason being that Cirstea Is a former top 30 player who’s struggle with injuries has seen her plummet to 145 in the world. The Romanian has failed to win a single match since the US Open first round last year, so the 25-year-old will be looking to kick start her season in Bogota. Falconi, on the other hand, has seen her form rise in recent weeks with impressive victories over fellow Bogota seeds Ajla Tomljanovic and Monica Puig. The American even pushed Ana Ivanovic to three sets before eventually losing 6-3 in the final set. Cirstea does have one thing going for her, and that is the head to head, which reads 1-0 in favour of the Romanian. Their sole meeting came five years ago however, so it’s not much to go by. Falconi should win this match, but if Cirstea can channel her top 30 form, then the American could very well be taking an early flight home.
Alexandra Panova v (3) Ajla Tomljanovic
It is rare that a player outside the top 150 makes my ‘three to see’, but with this draw I suppose it was inevitable. The name Alexandra Panova might ring a bell to a lot of people. That is because the Russian pushed compatriot Maria Sharapova all the way to three sets at the Australian Open, even having match points to seal the upset. Since that great performance however, it has gone downhill for the 26-year-old, who now finds herself on a six match losing streak. Ajla Tomljanovic’s final run in Pattaya looked like it would get her season going, as she pursues the top 50. Unfortunately for the Croatian, she also found herself on a losing streak before winning in the opening round of Charleston last week. It is clear that both players will be using this tournament to play themselves back into form, and with the weak field, a deep run might be in order for the winner. Tomljanovic is rightfully the favourite, but streaks are there to be broken.
(4) Francesca Schiavone vs Teliana Pereira
Former Roland Garros champion Francesca Schiavone will be glad not to see Lin Zhu at the other side of the net after back to back losses to the Chinese player. After a struggle on the hard courts (minus a quarterfinal run in Antwerp), the Italian will be glad to get on the clay courts. This surface brought the fourth seed her biggest career success at the French Open five years ago, where she went all the way to become champion. That must feel like a long time ago, because the 34-year-old is now declining, and currently ranks 70 in the world. Teliana Pereira will be heading in to Bogota in good form and spirits after claiming an ITF title on clay last week. The Brazilian has found her form since hitting the clay courts two months ago, and she’ll see this as a good chance to claim the scalp of a former grand slam champion. With Pereira’s confidence sky high, an upset is likely in this match, so keep a close eye on this one.
Top Half Analysis
Top seed Elina Svitolina is the most striking name in the top half of the draw. The Ukrainian is the only top 50 player playing this week, and she’ll rightfully be the favourite to win the tournament. The world number 29 shouldn’t face any problems at all until at least the quarter finals where she’ll likely meet Irina Falconi. The American holds a clay court victory over the top seed, but Svitolina is a much improved player since then and should level their head to head here.
The second quarter is interesting with the possibility of an early exit for fourth seed Francesca Schiavone. The former Roland Garros champion will face an in-form Teliana Pereira in the opening round. As I touched upon in my matches to watch section, this has upset potential and could open the draw up for a surprise semi-finalist. Shelby Rogers will be looking to rubbish that notion however. The sixth seed faces a tough test against Lourdes Dominguez Lino in round one. The Spaniard recently won an ITF title on clay, and is well tested on this surface in 2015, so an upset is also possible here. All things considered the American should make the quarterfinals, but with the draw as it is, there could be first round exits for both seeds in this quarter.
Bottom Half Analysis
The bottom half of the draw seems to bring the more interesting potential quarterfinal matches with the likes of Monica Puig, Yaroslava Shvedova and Ajla Tomljanovic headlining this section. Tomljanovic will open against Alexandra Panova, before facing Glushko or a lucky loser/qualifier. You would expect with that draw the Croatian to make the quarter finals, but stranger things have happened in the WTA. Seventh seed Timea Babos will be her likely opponent, even though she faces a tough round two test against Tatjana Maria. The German recently made the round of 32 in Miami, defeating Eugenie Bouchard along the way. Despite that result, Babos will be the favourite and likely winner.
The bottom quarter could provide us with the most interesting potential quarterfinal match in the draw. Second seed Monica Puig is just outside the top 50, so the Puerto Rican will be looking to end the week on the right side of that benchmark. Yaroslava Shvedova recently returned from an injury, so this will be good preparation for her as we head into the Kazakh’s favourite part of the season. Providing everything goes according to ‘plan’, we should see a good match in the quarterfinals between these two. Nicole Gibbs in round two is the toughest test for Puig in the opening rounds, whilst Shvedova has a very kind draw. Shvedova leads the head to head 2-0 against Puig, including a victory at the Australian Open earlier in the year. With this being Shvedova’s best surface, I expect the Kazakh to advance providing she holds up well physically.
Predictions
Semi finals:
Svitolina def. Rogers in 2 sets
Shvedova def. Tomljanovic in 3 sets
Final:
Svitolina def. Shvedova in 3 sets
I believe the top seed will win this tournament. Svitolina is a consistent player and despite some dangerous players in the draw, she should use that trait to overcome the competition. Shvedova will have a good run to the final, but the Ukrainian’s consistency will shine through in three sets.