Future pros hit Clearwater courts
By NANCY MORGAN
Published February 15, 2007
Today through the end of the month, Clearwater's McMullen Tennis Complex is the venue to visit for aspiring professional players and local tennis enthusiasts. The complex is the site for a $25,000 USTA Pro Circuit women's professional event and is surrounded by activities free to the community.
Competition in the Sheriff Jim Coats third annual Clearwater Women's Open began Monday with a pre-qualifier among 50 players. The two finalists earn wildcards into the qualifier.
Sunday and Monday, the qualifier, which includes 32 singles and 16-team doubles draws, will be played with the final eight singles players advancing to the main draw Feb. 20-25.
For the third year, the Clearwater Women's Open benefits the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Suncoast. The club has served youths in Pinellas more than 40 years and has impacted more than 11,000 youths through after-school and summer programs.
There are 95 Pro Circuit contests held around the country with prize money ranging between $10,000 and $100,000. Pro circuits are the stepping stone to the U.S. Open for aspiring pros. Among the players who began at the pro circuit level were Maria Sharapova, Andy Roddick, James Blake and Justine Henin. Local players entered are Erin Heeder, Kara Kucin, Morgan Frank, Becky Bodine and Anna Yakimova.
Florida's girls 16-and-under No. 2-ranked junior Alexandra Cercone was awarded a USTA wildcard into the qualifier, as was 14-year-old Morgan Basil to the main draw.
Along with the tennis to watch are some special community events. Saturday is a Welcome to Tennis Day from 1-4 p.m. Events include Rapid Rally for kids, Cardio Tennis, Kids Carnival, Wilson Racquet Demo and a wheelchair tennis exhibition. Monday from 6-9 p.m. is a Pro-Am event with 24 of the tournament players in a mixed doubles format, along with a USTA Member Appreciation Day from 5-7 p.m.
"The USTA Pro Circuit event has become an integral part of the community, so a host of events have been created to attract people to the complex," said Theresa Victory, tournament director for the Pro Circuit event.
"...We have a variety of sponsors at different levels who are hosting different activities. We have a diverse community, so we have something planned for everyone. We have kicked everything off with the pre-qualifying event this week and have much, much more as we move through this week and next. Saturday's Welcome to Tennis Day is an excellent way to show off our partnerships."
Victory recommends taking in all the events, from Saturday afternoon's schedule to the silent auction, Monday evening's pro-am and the USTA member appreciation. Everything is free, said Victory, except Feb. 24 and 25 when a three-dollar donation is requested to see the semifinal and final rounds.
For more information, call 669-1919 or visit www.clearwateropen.bgcsuncoast.org.
NET SHOTS: Adam Ambrozy defended his top seeding in the boys 10-and-under designated singles tournament in the Orlando area this month.
No. 4 Alex Saltiel finished fourth in the boys 12, as did Lindsay Dvorak in the girls 18.
Julia Jones played to the girls 16 quarterfinal round and Rebecca Bodine was competing in the girls 14 quarters at press time. Edward Corty won two matches in the boys 14 to reach the round of 16, as did Mason Beiler in the 10.
- Local finishes in this month's Adult Winter NTRP at East Lake Woodlands included Melody Raetz in the women's 3.5, top-seeded Matt Fox in the men's 4.5 and Matthew Pfeiffer in the 3.0 round robin. Cindy Swartz was second in the women's 4.0.
Collecting doubles wins were Mark Marconi and Robert Martin in the men's 4.0 and Dolores Claesson and Deborah Owens in women's 3.5.
- Ian Timmons defended his top seeding in the boys 10 division in this month's River Hills Championships. Taylor Kreis was second in the girls 12.
- A USTA-sponsored recreational coaches workshop is 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 3 at the Largo Tennis Center. Anyone interested in learning the basics of teaching tennis at the development level are encouraged to participate. Cost is $25. For more information, contact site host Julie Panton at 744-3966 or julikens@verizon.net.- Registration for the Team Tennis Junior League's spring season is underway. The league begins March 18 and includes competitive match play, on-line registration, schedules and standings. The fall season included 250 youths at 18 facilities. For information, visit www.TeamTennisJuniorLeague.com or call 724-6400.
LEAGUE NEWS: Royal Racquet Club recorded its first team win in the Senior 8.0 Mixed Doubles League with its 2-1 win over McMullen last weekend. Deb McCleery and John McDonnell posted a three-set win in No. 1 for Royal, and Barbara Brutus and Bob Feder won 6-4, 6-4 in No. 2.
- McMullen's 3.0 senior women's team remained unbeaten and collected its sixth win with a 2-1 victory over Largo last weekend. Posting wins for McMullen were Connie Headley and Diane Hennequant in No. 2 and Maryta Jensen and Eileen Kitzmiller in No. 3.
- East Lake Woodlands raised its record to 5-1 in the senior women's 3.5 competition with its 2-1 win over Heritage Springs. Marie Cannon and Bea Lynch won in No. 2 and Jane Gebhart and Susan Hatfield in No. 3.
- The Spa collected its fifth win and remained unbeaten in the 7.0 Super Senior League with its 3-0 win over Largo. Posting wins were Carmelo Mugavero and Frank Ingram in No. 1, Bob Anderson and Michael Johnson No. 2 and John Kuhn and Dick Lashley No. 3.
- A 3-0 record was earned by the Racquet Club in the senior men's 4.5 when it beat the Vinoy 3-0 last weekend. Randy Meisner and Bill Christensen collected a three-set win in No. 1, as did Alex Deeb and Terry Payton in No. 2. Gene Juzwiak and Pat Siracusa won in straight sets in No. 3.
COMING UP: The West Coast Super Seniors Grand Prix at the St. Petersburg Tennis Center begins Monday. Singles and doubles for men in 55-90 age divisions are offered. Call 823-2225. ...Treasure Bay offers a TB Compressed NTRP Tournament, a pilot one-day contest, Feb. 24. Call 547-4575.
News for this column may be faxed to Nancy Morgan, 445-4119; e-mailed to namorgan@tampabay.rr.com or sent to 710 Court St., Clearwater, FL 33756. Please include phone number.