Congratulations to @UniversityofGA, Your 2013 @TennisonCampus Champions! #USTA #TOCNationals
UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA CAPTURES TITLE AT 2013 USTA NATIONAL CAMPUS CHAMPIONSHIP
Defeats the University of Florida in Saturday’s final, for program’s first national title
![UGA: Front Row – Natalie Kieta, Matthew Holland, Marissa Pulido, Tyler Kallgren; Back Row – Margaret Inscoe, Cicero Lucas, Scott Slezak, Jillian Estes [Photo credit: Susan Mullane, USTA]](http://tenniseastcoast.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/toc2013.jpg)
UGA: Front Row – Natalie Kieta, Matthew Holland, Marissa Pulido, Tyler Kallgren; Back Row – Margaret Inscoe, Cicero Lucas, Scott Slezak, Jillian Estes [Photo credit: Susan Mullane, USTA]
SURPRISE, Ariz., April 13, 2013 – The United States Tennis Association (USTA) announced that University of Georgia captured their first National Championship title at the 2013 USTA Tennis on Campus National Campus Championship, held at Surprise Tennis & Racquet Center in Surprise, Ariz., April 11 – 13.
The Bulldogs defeated the University of Florida 26-24 in Saturday’s championship match that brought together the top 64 co-ed intramural and sport club tennis teams that have qualified to represent colleges and universities across the country. The team is captained by Scott Slezak and features Natalie Kieta, Matthew Holland, Marissa Pulido, Tyler Kallgren, Margaret Inscoe, Cicero Lucas, and Jillian Estes.
“Unbelievable – absolutely unbelievable,” said Slezak. “I’m at a loss for words – and for the teammates that know me, that’s a rare thing.”
After dropping the men’s doubles set to the Gators, Holland gave the Bulldogs a kick-start with a win in men’s singles. Pulido and Inscoe widened the lead in women’s doubles with a 6-1 set of their own. Florida pushed back with a win in women’s singles from Jodi Kleiner. Georgia led 21-18 going into mixed doubles, but the Gators 6-4 mixed doubles set pushed the match into overtime. From there on out, it was game, set, match in favor of the Bulldogs.
“Georgia-Florida might be one of the biggest rivalries in all of college sports,” said Holland. “It’s sweet to win, but that much sweeter to beat them in the finals. They were an awesome team.”
“USTA Tennis On Campus is a fantastic opportunity for kids to enjoy recreational tennis in a highly fun and highly competitive setting,” said Glenn Arrington, USTA National Tennis On Campus Manager. “This year’s field was stronger than ever and the Bulldogs should be so proud of their first Championship; it’s one they definitely won’t forget.”
Special guest and USTA First Vice-President Katrina Adams was on hand as the official Event Emcee.
“It’s one of my favorite events of the year,” said Adams. “Anytime you can get this many young people together on the court you are guaranteed a good time. Today was one of the best competitive Tennis On Campus Championship matches I have seen in the last five years.”
Championship Match: University of Georgia def. University of Florida, 26-24
Men’s Doubles: Cicero Lucas & Matthew Holland v. Michael Malinsky & Adam Decker, 5-6
Men’s Singles: Matthew Holland v. Michael Malinsky, 6-5
Women’s Doubles: Marissa Pulido & Margaret Inscoe v. Carol Marie Fraley & Natalie Boruk, 6-1
Women’s Singles: Natalie Kieta v. Jodi Kleiner, 4-6
Mixed Doubles: Cicero Lucas & Margaret Inscoe v. Adam Decker & Jodi Kleiner, 4-6
Overtime Mixed Doubles: Cicero Lucas & Margaret Inscoe v. Adam Decker & Jodi Kleiner, 1-0
Note: A match using the World TeamTennis format includes sets of men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles and mixed doubles, each game during the match counts as a point towards the overall team score. Past USTA National Campus Champions: 2012 – University of California – Berkeley
2011 – University of California – Los Angeles
2010 – University of California – Berkeley
2009 – Duke University
2008 – University of Texas
2007 – Texas A&M University
2006 – Texas A&M University
2005 – Texas A&M University
2004 – Texas A&M University
2003 – University of Florida
2002 – Texas A&M University
2001 – University of North Carolina
2000 – University of North Carolina
The championship opened on Thursday with 16 four-team pools, with schools advancing to bracket play on Friday and Saturday. The first-place teams from each of the 16 pools advance to one bracket (that determines the overall champion), the second-place teams from the pools advance to another bracket, the third place teams advance to a third bracket and the fourth place-teams to a fourth bracket.
The USTA Tennis On Campus program features more than 35,000 college students competing nationwide in intramural and intercollegiate coed club play. Since its inception in 2000, Tennis On Campus has grown significantly and today is played on more than 600 college campuses across the country.
Developed by the USTA in partnership with NIRSA, World TeamTennis and the Intercollegiate Tennis Association, the Tennis On Campus program gives college students the opportunity to build leadership skills, network in a coed sports environment and compete on a college team without the rigors of playing in a varsity program. With year-round match play, and regional and national championship competition, students maintain active and healthy lifestyles through their college years.
—Sarah Houseknecht
Australian Open Wild Card Playoffs Women’s Preview
Australian Open Wild Card Playoffs Women’s Preview
by Steve Fogleman, TennisEastCoast.com
I won’t lie. I laugh inside when I see Jesse Levine’s picture next to the slogan, “See the Future of American Tennis”. He’s a good American player, but Madison Keys. Now there’s the ‘future’.
Eight women are headed to Atlanta this week with the chance to take home a main draw wild card to the 2013 Australian Open. The field is extremely competitive, with an average #143 player ranking. The men’s field averages a paltry #252 in comparison.
But beware: The seeding could be misleading. 6 and 7 seeds Irina Falconi and Bethanie Mattek-Sands could make all those numbers next to everyone’s names very irrelevant if either of them bring their big game to Norcross.
Cohen is Top Seed
Top Seed Julia Cohen of Philadelphia comes off a good summer after reaching her first WTA final in Baku. The run in Azerbaijan may have been just the confidence booster Cohen needs as she nears the top 100. That confidence may or may not be enough as she looks to take on the likes of this field. She’ll open against 8 seed Alison Riske.
At 23, Alexa Glatch has done it all. Almost. Despite appearing in eight Grand Slams, she’s never played a main draw singles match in Melbourne. She looks to change that next weekend. Unfortunately, she has the misfortune of drawing the 7 seed Bethanie Mattek-Sands in the opening round. She beat Mattek-Sands on the grass in Birmingham in 2009 in straights. In the players only other meeting, Mattek-Sands was a straight sets winner on the clay at Dothan in 2008.
3 seed Maria Sanchez is the only women’s wild card contender who has never played in a Grand Slam main draw match. The former USC standout’s meteoric rise from world #657 to her current status in the top 130 is exactly the script you would want to write for a player who took the time to go to college. She burst from the gate at the conclusion of her education and shows no signs of slowing down. She draws 6 seed Irina Falconi. The tough draw of the local favorite and a woman determined to return to the top 100 means Sanchez will have a difficult time fighting her way into a grand slam on this particular weekend.
Fans: She’s got ‘em
Madison Keys has already unlocked success before in them thar Wild Card hills. Last year’s Australian Open and US Open Wild Card winner, Keys is always a difficult opponent. Last year, she shocked as a 6 seed. As a 4 seed this year, she’ll open against Georgia fave Mallory Burdette. She beat Burdette in their only prior meeting in Lexington earlier this year.
Stanford alum Mallory Burdette is set to make her first AO WC Playoffs appearance. The 5 seed matriculated to the pro scene this summer after being awarded a wild card to the US Open, which was put to good use in advancing to the third round. Her matchup with Keys is a tossup.
And then there’s Irina Falconi, the ’6′ seed. Despite a difficult year for her, she could romp this field if her fitness is at 2011 form. It is fair to say that she will be a prohibitive crowd favorite. In addition to living in Atlanta, she played college tennis at Georgia Tech. While she obviously would’ve preferred to be granted a wild card outright, playing for it in front of her former teammates and friends is the next best thing for her. She draws Maria Sanchez in the first round, who has beaten Falconi twice this year in straight sets at Albuquerque and Surprise.
Bethanie Mattek-Sands is another surprising VIP at a Wild Card Playoff. A veteran top tier player less than 18 months ago, her shoulder recovery has been slow. In all honesty, Mattek-Sands would rather not be here. If she’s physically able to perform any where near last year’s level, she is an easy choice to pick for the Sunday final.
8 seed Alison Riske has been grinding all year, and yet her ranking has steadily and slowly dropped. While she could surprise Cohen in the first round on Friday, a match up with the Keys-Burdette winner on Saturday would probably be too much to ask. Last year, she lost in the second round at the AOWC Playoffs only to qualify in Melbourne weeks later.
I’ve got at least three or four of my favorite American WTA players in this field. Here’s how I think it will all go down.
Predictions: (Quarterfinals) Cohen d. Riske, Mattek-Sands d. Glatch, Falconi d. Sanchez, Keys d. Burdette
(Semifinals) Mattek-Sands d. Falconi, Cohen d. Keys
(Final) Mattek-Sands d. Cohen
2012 USTA Australian Open Wild Card Playoffs Men’s Preview
Australian Open Wild Card Playoffs Men’s Preview
Steen Kirby, TennisEastCoast.com
ATLANTA, GA (December 6)—Eight American men who are rising ATP talents will vie for the coveted Aussie Open Wild Card about a week from now in Norcross. Here is a look at each one of them and their accomplishments this season.
Christian Harrison
Harrison, the younger brother of the better known young American Ryan Harrison, is ranked 474 in the world at the age of 18 and most notably made it to three futures semi finals this year and a semi final showing in the Lexington challenger back in July. His brother Ryan captured the AO WC in both 2009 and 2010 at the age of 17 and 18 respectively so Christian may have some family mojo going at this event.
Bradley Klahn
Klahn, a former Stanford Cardinal standout, is ranked 274 in the world and is a 22-year-old lefty. His most notable showings qualifying for ATP LA, reaching the quarters in four challengers (Aptos, Sacramento, Tiburon and Charlottesville) and the biggest of all qualifying and reaching the second round of the US Open after beating tour vet Jurgen Melzer in a emotional five set battle on the outer courts. Klahn has already shown his emotional mettle and that should serve him well at this event.
Kosakowski is an Old Pro at Wild Card Playoffs
Daniel Kosakowski
Kosakowski, another former PAC-12 star who represented UCLA, is ranked 249 in the world at the age of 20 and won two futures events this year, in addition to making two futures finals and one challenger semi in Sacramento. I was able to watch Kosakowski at the Tallahassee challenger this year where he qualified and made the round of 16 and he is a hard worker. Kosakowski participated in the AO playoffs last year.
Sandgren should face former Tennessee roommate Rhyne Williams in the 1st round
Tennys Sandgren
Former Tennessee Vol Sandgren, who is ranked 232 in the world at the age of 21, won four futures events this year in addition to making the final in another and also made the quarters of the Winnetka, Sacramento and Knoxville challengers.
Rhyne Williams
Williams, also a former Tennessee Volunteer, is ranked 190 in the world at the age of 21 and won one futures event this year in addition to making a futures final and a challenger semi in Champaign. At the ATP level he qualified for Indian Wells and for the US Open, where he lost to Andy Roddick in the first round.
Williams participated in last year’s AO playoffs.
Steve Johnson
Johnson, a former PAC-12 star at USC, is ranked 175 in the world at the age of 22 and in addition to winning the Aptos challenger this year, beat Donald Young in the first round of ATP Atlanta in a match full of thrills and reached the third round of the US Open where he beat Rajeev Ram in the first round and Ernest Gulbis in five sets. He also made two other Challenger semis in Izmir, Turkey and Tiburon. Johnson participated in the AO playoffs last year.
Sock returns to ATL
Jack Sock
The 20 year old Sock, who broke into the ATP Top 150 this year (150 in the world), won a futures event this year, the Tiburon challenger and made the final of the Champaign challenger. In addition, he made the quarterfinals of ATP Atlanta beating Alex Bogomolov and the aforementioned Johnson and the third round of the US Open beating top 30 player Florian Mayer and Flavio Cipolla.
Sock participated in the 2009 and 2011 AO playoffs and made the final of the 2010 playoffs where he lost to Ryan Harrison.
Kudla after win in Charlottesville
Denis Kudla
Kudla, age 20, is the highest ranked player in the field at 137 in the world and is also probably the most seasoned. This year he qualified for the Australian Open, reached the round of 16 at ATP San Jose after qualifying, the second round of Indian Wells and won the Lexington and Charlottesville Challengers.
He has had a bit of an inconsistent year but seemed to finish strong and will looking to book his flight to Melbourne once again. He also played in the 2010 and 2011 AO playoffs.
Australian Open Wild Card Playoffs: Ten Days to Tennis in Our Time Zone
Tired of all the exhibition tennis yet? Ready for some real competition? It’s my favorite little tournament of the year, and it arrives just in time for the holidays. The Australian Open Wild Card Playoffs in Norcross, Georgia begins in just ten days and is a gift to the biggest tennis fans in the United States: Atlantans.
The playoff format and the compact three-day event makes the AOWC some of the best tennis fun you can have without picking up a racquet. Imagine a joint ITF-USTA Pro Circuit gig, but with bigger prizes. Imagine large crowds (something you don’t always see at an ITF/USTA Pro Circuit event). Imagine a bona fide fan-oriented show with low ticket prices. That’s Norcross.
The only complaint about the Playoffs is that they don’t play it outdoors, where the host Racquet Club of the South boasts a spacious stadium court and beautiful grounds. The Club itself is the once and future home of the Atlanta Open, currently in residence at Atlantic Station in downtown Atlanta.
2011 AOWC Women’s Champion Madison Keys returns to defend her title and collect another wild card. This year, Keys will surprise no one if she conquers the weekend. She was seeded sixth in successful playoff runs for the US Open and Australian Open wild cards last year. This year, she moves to the four seed.
Jesse Levine, the 2011 men’s winner, will not return to RCS this year, having secured himself a ranking guaranteeing a main draw berth in Melbourne. As he told me during the Charlottesville Challenger last month, ‘that’s a good thing’. The top seed this year will be Denis Kudla, who has never been seeded #1 at any event since turning pro.
With Kudla at the top and Jack Sock seeded second this year, at least they won’t have to face each other in the first round as they did in 2011.
The women’s field is notably stronger. The eight women’s contenders for the card have an average ranking of 143, compared to the men’s side which averages a 232 rank. Even if you remove Christian “Little Harry” Harrison at #474 from the field, the remaining seven stack up to a 197 average ranking.
The field features at least a couple of players who wish they weren’t required to compete for a wild card this year. Both Irina Falconi and Bethanie Mattek-Sands enjoyed top 100 status at this time last year. Atlanta’s Falconi came out to the Playoffs as an observer in 2011. In 2012, she’ll be the local favorite on the main court.
The US Open Wild Card Playoffs were sacked this year in favor of bringing a higher level of importance to smaller ITF/USTA Pro Circuit events in aggregating points from three events to determine a winner of the wild card. That’s what we’re told, anyway. The abysmal fan turnout at the 2011 US Open Wild Card Playoffs in College Park, Maryland was certainly a factor as well. The Australian Open Wild Card Playoffs in Norcross featured a full house of fans for the finals last year. As long as the fans return, this event will remain on the USTA calendar for years to come.
Tennis East Coast will again provide live coverage of the Playoffs from Norcross. Atlanta’s Steen Kirby will handle the men’s side and I’ll cover the women’s competition. Over the next week, we’ll evaluate the player fields and give you a preview of the off-court activities.
—S. Fogleman
Min Wins ‘Grace’fully @TroyUSTA Classic
A ‘GRACEFUL’ VICTORY FOR MIN
By Rick Limpert
TROY, Ala., (Oct 10, 2012) – A rising American, a veteran Canadian player who was two years ago ranked No. 38 in the world, and chamber of commerce weather all made for a great match and a great day of tennis in Troy at the 10th annual USTA Tennis Classic of Troy.
With a mid afternoon start, American No. 5 seed Grace Min took on Rebecca Marino of Canada who is working her way back up the rankings after being out of tennis for about a year.
Min started quickly and relied on footwork that would make her a contender on “Dancing With the Stars.” Marino countered with an aggressive forehand that kept Min off-balance.
The first set went to a tie break and Min capitalized on Marino errors to take it 7-5.
Min’s momentum carried into the second set as she grabbed an early break and then held serve the rest of the way to take the second set 6-4.
Min seemed relieved to win her first round against a more experienced and dangerous opponent.
“She hits a big ball and either hits a winner or misses,” Min said of Marino. “Just getting the ball back one more time is key.”
In other matches, second-seeded Edina Gallovits-Hall a Romanian who lives in Atlanta defeated Pila Soumalainen of Finland 6-4, 6-3 and Arina Rodionova of Russia defeated Maria-Fernanda Alvarez-Teran of Bolivia 6-3, 6-1.
Rodionova says she appreciates what this tournament means to the players and the community.
“Well, honestly with me, I’d prefer to play in a bigger city, but this is a nice town and I’m enjoying the city, the courts and the facility.”
Former University of Tennessee player Natalie Pluskota, who won three matches in qualifying, continued her winning ways with a three-set win over Lenka Wienerova.
Thursday’s match to keep an eye on will be an encounter between two WTA Tour veterans in Gallovits-Hall and Rodionova. Although these two know each other very well off the court, they have never played in a USTA Pro Circuit or WTA Tour level tournament.
Edina Gallovits-Hall (Photo: Rick Limpert)
“I’ve known her for a long time,” admitted Rodionova. “She’s been a top-100 player for quite a few years now, so we’ll see how it goes.”
In a big upset in the doubles, Troy University player Hannah Toro and her partner, Maci Epstein defeated the No. seeded duo of Maria Abramovic and Lenka Wienerova 4-6, 6-4, 10-6.
Wednesday’s Results:
Starting at 10:00 WS Edina GALLOVITS-HALL (ROU) [2] Piia SUOMALAINEN (FIN) 6-4 6-3
Starting at 10:00 WS Arina RODIONOVA (RUS) Maria-Fernanda ALVAREZ-TERAN (BOL) 6-3 6-1
Starting at 10:00 WS Natalie PLUSKOTA (USA) Lenka WIENEROVA (SVK) 3-6 6-1 6-3
Starting at 10:00 WS Jelena PANDZIC (CRO) Caitlin WHORISKEY (USA) 6-3 4-6 6-2
Followed by WS Sharon FICHMAN (CAN) [7] Anamika BHARGAVA (USA) 6-0 6-3
Followed by WS Chi Chi SCHOLL (USA) [4] Maria-Fernanda ALVES (BRA) 6-1 2-6 6-1
Followed by WS Chalena SCHOLL (USA) Isabella ROBBIANI (PAR) 6-2 6-1
Followed by WS Adriana PEREZ (VEN) [8] Chieh-Yu HSU (USA) 4-6 6-1 6-2
Followed by WS Grace MIN (USA) [5] Rebecca MARINO (CAN) 7-6(2) 6-4
Followed by WS Sachia VICKERY (USA) Lauren ALBANESE (USA) 6-0 6-1
Followed by WD Angelina GABUEVA (RUS) / Arina RODIONOVA (RUS) Sarah BORWELL (GBR) / Sonja MOLNAR (CAN) 6-4 6-2
Followed by WS Ulrikke EIKERI (NOR) Vojislava LUKIC (SRB) 7-6(7) 6-2
Followed by WD Sharon FICHMAN (CAN) / Marie-Eve PELLETIER (CAN) [1] Nicola SLATER (GBR) / Caitlin WHORISKEY (USA) 6-3 6-3
Followed by WD Maci EPSTEIN (USA) / Hannah TORO (GBR) Maria ABRAMOVIC (CRO) [2] / Lenka WIENEROVA (SVK) 4-6 6-4 [10-6]
Necker Island, BVI to Host Tennis Pro-Am With Sir Richard Branson
“Necker Island is my home and favorite hideaway,” said Sir Richard. “We are pleased to announce this unique tennis experience and unforgettable all-inclusive five-day, four-night stay on my private island.”
2012 @CitiOpen Mens Qualifying Final: @AussieWildCard Rematch For @JesseLevine7, Robby Ginepri
Jesse meets the Press
There’s a big rematch today between Jesse Levine and Robby Ginepri on Stadium Court at CitiOpen in Washington. Last time these two played was for a main draw wild card to the Australian Open back at the USTA’s AO Wild Card Playoffs at Racquet Club of the South in Norcross, Georgia in December. Tennis East Coast was there for Levine’s victory lap in suburban Atlanta and I expect nothing less than a close match between the two.
–S.Fogleman
USTA, AMEX Unveil 12 Youth Tennis Courts at Georgia’s Burdett Tennis Center
USTA AND AMERICAN EXPRESS UNVEIL 12 YOUTH TENNIS COURTS AT FULTON COUNTY’S BURDETT TENNIS CENTER
The United States Association (USTA), American Express, and Fulton County today unveiled 12 youth tennis courts at the Burdett Tennis Center during a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The renovations included repairing and resurfacing six 78-foot courts and building six new youth courts, which are part of the Fresh Courts program introduced by the USTA and American Express in 2010, to support local tennis in communities across the U.S.
The Burdett Tennis Center currently serves hundreds of local residents, and holds numerous instructional classes for both children and adults. The renovation project, which began earlier this year, was completed in time for the BB&T Atlanta Open.
Fresh Courts Community Tennis Award USTA and American Express also honored the Peterson Family from College Park, Ga. with the Fresh Courts Tennis Award, recognizing their tireless efforts in the local tennis community for more than three decades. The late Coach Ernest Peterson founded the Peterson School of Tennis over 35 years ago, which provides tennis year round through after-school, summer camp and boarding sessions. The program proudly continues the great legacy under Coach Peterson’s family.
Local Collegians Move On During First Day @BBTAtlantaOpen #BBTAO
Local Collegians Move On During First Day at BB&T Atlanta Open
Kevin King: King for the Day at Atlantic Station
ATLANTA, July 14, 2012 – Three times during their collegiate careers, Wil Spencer of the University of Georgia got the better of rival Kevin King from Georgia Tech. Competing now as professionals on the ATP stage, King finally was able to reverse the outcome, earning a 6-4, 6-3 victory Saturday over Spencer in the first round of qualifying at the BB&T Atlanta Open. The BB&T Atlanta Open will be held at Atlantic Station July 14-22 and is the first men’s event in the Emirates Airline US Open Series.
“Today I was able to win the closer games,” King said. “It did feel a little different out there. I mean, you’re not playing for a college team. You’re out there on your own court and everyone just watching your match.”
King, whose father Bill played football at Villanova, hails from Peachtree City and recently concluded his collegiate career as Georgia Tech’s all-time wins leader in doubles. King finished with 90 doubles victories, surpassing the previous Tech career record of 82 by Sergio Aguirre (1997-01).
Spencer began his collegiate career at Texas A&M and transferred to Georgia after his second year. He led the Bulldogs to the semifinals of the 2011 NCAA Championships and the Championships of the 2012 SEC Tournament.
“It was just the luck of the draw,” Spencer said. “It’s always going to be a little more competitive because of the rivalry.”
King, 22, broke a string near the end of the first set, but said that not only didn’t deter him but actually made him play better. “I got that set and then relaxed and was able to play better in the second,” he said.
Last year at this event, King made headlines taking advantage of a main draw wild card in doubles and teaming with former Georgia Bulldog Drake Bernstein to knock off the top-seeded team of Scott Lipsky and Rajeev Ram.
Like King, Bernstein once again capitalized on his wild card entry on Saturday to defeat Bradley Cox of Duluth, Ga., 6-3, and up 5-0 before Cox retired from the match.
Another Georgia Bulldog, Nathan Pasha, took the first set off of No. 5-seeded Rik De Voest of South Africa before falling, 6-7 (5), 6-2, 7-5.
And the fourth and final Bulldog in the draw, Ignacio Tamboda, lost his match to No. 2-seeded Ricardo Berankis of Lithuania, 6-2, 6-1.
Judd Motz, a nationally ranked high school junior from nearby Norcross, got a taste of the big-time as he drew No. 6-seeded veteran Tim Smyczek and lost, 6-0, 6-1. Smyczek called Motz a good player, but didn’t want to spend any extra time on court because of the hot temperatures. “In this heat the less time you stay on the court the better,” Smyczek said. “I love the venue here. It’s a great atmosphere.”
–R. Cioffi, BB&T Atlanta Open
2012 BB&T Atlanta Open Pro Advisory: Beware of Bulldogs and Yellow Jackets
Collegiate Players from Georgia Tech, University of Georgia Again Included in BB&T Atlanta Open
THREE LOCAL COLLEGE PLAYERS TO FACE ATP WORLD TOUR PROS
ATLANTA, June 22, 2012 – The rivalry between the University of Georgia and Georgia Tech will be put on hold for two doubles players as they will join together to compete in the 2012 BB&T Atlanta Open, Tournament Director Bob Bryant announced.
The BB&T Atlanta Open will be held at Atlantic Station July 14-22 and is the first men’s event in the Emirates Airline US Open Series.=
In a repeat of the unique Yellow Jacket – Bulldog pairing which debuted last year, a main draw doubles wild card will go to metro Atlanta residents Kevin King of Georgia Tech and Ignacio Taboada of the University of Georgia. The tournament will also extend singles qualifying wild cards to King and Nathan Pasha of Georgia.
Last year the enthusiastic local crowd encouraged King and Georgia’s Drake Bernstein to a first-round upset of No. 1 seeds and defending champions Scott Lipsky and Rajeev Ram. The college duo fell in the second round to the eventual finalists Matthias Bachinger and Frank Moser.
Peachtree City’s King, who was a senior this year, was named an All-American in doubles by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) and earned All-Atlantic Coast Conferences honors for the second consecutive year. King and Georgia Tech teammate Juan Spir finished 2012 with a No. 4 national doubles ranking. In singles, King was ranked as high as No. 7 and was recently named to the Capital One Academic All-America Men’s At-Large team.
King will team up for doubles with Taboada, who finished ranked No. 48 in singles in the ITA this year. Atlanta native Taboada,, who was also a senior this past year, tied for the most wins on Georgia’s squad with a 35-11 record. He clinched the SEC Tournament final with a victory against Kentucky and was named tournament MVP, along with being named to the second All-SEC team.
“For the second year, we are excited to add a local college connection to the BBT Atlanta Open,” said Bryant. “All three of our college players are from metro Atlanta and are highly talented tennis players. It is not often you can bring Tech and UGA fans together, but last year’s pairing showed the Atlanta tennis community proudly supports this unique doubles pairing.”
Rising sophomore Pasha, of Atlanta, finished with a 34-8 record in singles and 23-2 in dual matches. He was named SEC Freshman of the Week four times, along with being selected ITA Southeast Region Rookie of the Year. Pasha was also named a member of the SEC All-Freshman Team and the ITA National Indoors All-Tournament Team.
“We’ve got two great competitors playing in the BB&T Atlanta Open,” said UGA men’s coach Manuel Diaz. “Nathan Pasha has been a standout player for us as a freshman who has won numerous honors. Ignacio Taboada will be a stalwart on doubles based on a great career at Georgia.”
“Kevin has earned the honor to represent Georgia Tech in both singles and doubles. His doubles victory last year over the top seeds was a highlight for the Yellow Jackets,” Georgia Tech coach Kenny Thorne said. “We’re pleased to be a part of the BB&T Atlanta Open as it brings together Georgia-based players for a chance to test themselves against world-ranked pros.”
Weeklong tickets and individual tickets are on sale now at www.BBTAtlantaOpen.com and through our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/ATChampionships.
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