HOMECOMING FOR CHARLESTON’S SHELBY ROGERS AT 2018 VOLVO CAR OPEN
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.
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.
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)
Taylor Townsend, Charleston 2017 (TennisAtlantic.com)
Sofia Kenin, Charleston 2017 (TennisAtlantic.com)
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.
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)
