Area players earn high standings in state rankings
By NANCY MORGAN
Published January 15, 2004
Players enter tournaments for a variety of reasons. Some like the competition, and others are motivated by earning a ranking.
When Florida's adult singles rankings were released last month, more than 30 local men earned top-20 rankings in singles, as did three women.
In the National Tennis Rating Tennis Program tournament action, three women finished in the top seven in the state.
Finishing No. 1 in adult singles were New Port Richey's Ria Graham in the women's 65-and-older, Treasure Island's Jeff Chambers in the men's 35, Lutz's Matthew Bydalek the 30 and St. Petersburg's Victor Downer the 90.
"I wasn't thinking about the ranking when I began entering tournaments," Graham said. "It was interesting to meet all the players, many that have a lifetime of tennis experience.
"One of the things that I've learned is the mental process. You always have to think with these seasoned players. Their strategy is so good, and that's been a good influence on me."
Graham, who also was ranked No. 1 in the 60 division a few years ago, earned a 10-4 singles record in the 65 to assure her first-place finish. Last month Graham was a team member representing Florida in the U.S. Tennis Association Intersectional Team Championships. There, Graham won four singles matches to help Florida place third.
Last weekend Graham competed in Les Grandes Dames at Ballen Isles and played to a third-place finish in singles and a second in doubles with Winter Park's Mary Ann Plante.
"Playing in the Grande Dames events is really interesting," Graham said. "There are players competing that were either strong junior players or competed in events like the French Open. Suddenly you're faced with them.
"Jana Novotna was competing in the 35 division, and it was fascinating to see her play and then perhaps meet her while in the locker room."
Bydalek always enjoyed traveling to play tournaments, and last year entered quite a few to earn a 17-9 match record, along with the top ranking in the 30 division.
"I'm extremely pleased to finish No. 1 and look forward to this new ranking season," Bydalek said. "This year I'm eligible for the 35 division and plan to play in both the 30 and 35. I know the 35 is a lot tougher, but I'm ready to compete."
Bydalek credits his performance in the state designated tournament in August for creating the momentum to move to the forefront in his division.
"Even though I lost in the main draw, I felt like I could play with anyone in my division," Bydalek said. "In the feed-in consolation, I beat the No. 7 and No. 2 seeds. That tournament increased my momentum for the rest of the year."
Other area players with top rankings were Al Sarmiento (No. 9), Peter Crewe (No. 6), Leo Poulin (No. 10), Hank McCusker (No. 13), Gerard Ronan (No. 25), Earl Concors (No. 28) and Dick Zimmerman (No. 30) in the 70 division.
Bob Meyerdierks placed No. 2 in the 75, followed by Sarmiento at No. 3, George Vodopalas (No. 12) and Bud Steckman (No. 17).
Tom Avirett is ranked No. 7 in the 80, and Jim Vuille is No. 2 in the 90. Jeff Shue of St. Petersburg earned a No. 18 ranking in the 35.
For the women, in addition to Graham's top ranking is Treasure Island's Jackie Keller at No. 13 in the 45 and Nancy Boyce, tied for No. 16 in the same division.
In the NTRP competition, Jacki Simon started competing in 3.5 NTRP singles tournaments because it was a good way to work on her game without needing a partner. Clearwater's Marilyn Szymanski finished at No. 3 in the 3.5, and Clearwater Beach's Courtney Rodgers was seventh in 4.0.
Palm Harbor's Milan Matous played to No. 22 in the men's 4.0.
Whether for the competition or the ranking, area players came out to compete in 2003 and were rewarded for their efforts.
JUNIORS: Area players that competed in the Copper Bowl Junior Championships, a national junior tournament in Tucson, Ariz., included Morgan Frank (girls 14), Alexandra Moreno-Kaste (12), Anthony Barrancotto (boys 12), James Vuckovic and Joel Samaha (14), Nicholas Berning and Istvan Bolgar (16) and Brandon Pierpont, Konstantin Lazarov and Alex Vuckovic (18).
Frank, seeded 20th, advanced to a semifinal, and Alex Vuckovic played to the round of 16. Lazarov won two rounds in the main draw. Barrancotto, Moreno-Kaste and Samaha each posted a victory.
NET SHOTS: At 3-5:30 p.m. Friday local pros are invited to the "One-on-One Doubles" preview at Hunter's Green Tennis and Athletic Center. Divisions include men's and women's open and men's 35-and-older, 40, 45 and 50 divisions. Call Ed Krass today at (813) 684-9031 for information.
In professional tennis, Wesley Chapel's Ashley Harkleroad played to the final in last week's ASB Classic in New Zealand. Along the way the 19-year old eliminated the tournament's second-seed Anna Smashnova-Pistolesi and No. 8 Anca Barna. In the final Harkleroad, ranked No. 51 worldwide, lost in straight sets to defending champion Eleni Daniilidou, who ranked No. 23 in the world.
COMING UP: Local clubs are hosting state-sanctioned designated junior singles tournaments this weekend. Seminole Lake Tennis Center at (727) 394-1733 is the site for boys and girls 14-and-under, Cheval Country Club at (813) 948-2282 the girls 12s, Royal Racquet Club at (727) 799-3200 the boys and girls 10s, McMullen Tennis Center at (727) 669-1919 the boys 12s and Tampa Recreation at (813) 259-1663 the boys and girls 18. Bardmoor Golf and Tennis Club at (727) 391-2205 is the site for the girls 14 singles and doubles.
Tampa Palms Golf and Country Club hosts its Junior New Years Kickoff this weekend. Call (813) 632-1676 today to enter.
