Semifinals are Set at ButlerCars.com Tennis Classic of Macon

ButlerCars.com Tennis Classic of Macon

Presented By The W.L. Amos Foundation

STRATFORD ACADEMY - JAIME KAPLAN TENNIS CENTER * OCTOBER 6-13, 2013

SEMIFINALS SET FOR SATURDAY AT BUTLERCARS.COM TENNIS CLASSIC

MACON, Georgia, (October 11, 2013) Ask ButlerCars.com Tennis Classic tournament director Eric Hayes what his favorite day of tournament week is, and you will hear him say, “they all a great, but Friday, when all the quarterfinals are played is special.”

“For many of the players, Friday is the day that determines whether they had a successful week or not,” offers up Hayes. “If they win, in many cases, they earn enough points to significantly boost their ranking.”

Norway’s Ulrikke Eikeri is looking to boost her ranking back up to where it was before she injured her ankle back in February.  Eikeri was approaching the No. 250 mark in the world rankings when she sustained an injury.

Now, she has put three great matches together in Macon and feels good about her game.

Playing almost flawless tennis, Eikeri took down American and seventh seed Allie Kiick in a little over an hour.

“The first set was perfect,” Eikeri said of the 6-0, 6-3 victory. “I wasn’t making any errors and everything was perfect in that first set.”

Eikeri was happy with the quick victory, that will allow her to spend the rest of Friday resting and recovering.

Eikeri said her confidence has risen since her first round upset over second seeded Michelle Larcher De Brito.

“It has helped my confidence, beating a player like that- it makes me feel like I can beat anyone.”

Eikeri will next face Anna Tatishvili of Georgia, not the state of Georgia, but the Republic of Georgia. Tatishvili, a former world No. 50 took out two-time NCAA singles champ Nicole Gibbs 6-1, 6-3 in a match where Gibbs frequently chided herself for unforced errors.

Tatishvili noticed her opponent Gibbs, get visibly frustrated, but she didn’t let it affect her game.

“I just try to focus on myself and I think it was because her serve was a little off today,” stated the 23-year old from Tbilisli, Georgia.

In the other semifinals, tournament top seed Ajla Tomljanovic jumped on American Julia Boserup quickly, winning the first set 6-2, but she had to hold on in the second, taking it 7-5.

“It was 6-2, 5-2, playing very solidly,” explained Tomljanovic.  “But I have to give credit to her, she really stepped it up and made it more difficult for me to miss some shots I shouldn’t have- but that’s tennis.”

Tomljanovic will face American Madison Brengle in her semifinal match.  Brengle defeated fellow American Jacqueline Cako of Seattle, Washington.

In doubles semifinals action, Emily Harman and Elizabeth Lumpkin defeated Lauren Embree and Allie Kiick and the other doubles semi went three sets with the team of Kristi Boxx and Abigail Guthrie defeating Boserup and Samantha Crawford.

The two singles semifinals will take place on Saturday starting at 11 am.

Thursday’s Results (Winners Listed First)

Starting at 10:00Ulrikke EIKERI (NOR)Allie KIICK (USA) [7] WS6-0 6-3

Starting at 10:00Ajla TOMLJANOVIC (CRO) [1]Julia BOSERUP (USA) WS6-2 7-5

Followed byAnna TATISHVILI (GEO) [4]Nicole GIBBS (USA) [6] WS6-1 6-3

Followed byMadison BRENGLE (USA) [3]Jacqueline CAKO (USA) WS6-2 6-1

Followed byEmily J. HARMAN (USA) / Elizabeth LUMPKIN (USA)Lauren EMBREE (USA) / Allie KIICK (USA) WD7-5 6-4

Followed byKristi BOXX (USA) / Abigail GUTHRIE (NZL)Julia BOSERUP (USA) / Samantha CRAWFORD (USA) WD5-7 7-6(5) [13-11]

ButlerCars.com Tennis Classic Featured on WMAZ in Macon

Suzanne Lawler did a great job with this piece on Allie Kiick and why the ButlerCars.com Tennis Classic of Macon is so important.

Americans Find Success on Wednesday at ButlerCars.com Tennis Classic

MACON, Georgia, (October 9, 2013) More beautiful weather for the continuation of the first round of the main draw on Wednesday, and that played right into the hands of the American players at the ButlerCars.com Tennis Classic of Macon held at the Jaime Kaplan Tennis Center at Stratford Academy.

Wildcard entry and former University of Alabama player Alexa Guarachi took on China’s Di Zhao to start Wednesday’s action. Guarachi, who because of injury issues, doesn’t even currently hold a world ranking started a bit tentatively, but caught fire at the end of the first set edged the world No. 515 6-4, 7-5 in front of a group of family and friends.

“I kind of had a slow start, but thought I played well,” said Guarachi following her win. “My serve helped and it helps me set up what I want to do with the next ball.”

Guarachi next takes on another former college player in former Arizona State Sun Devil Jacqueline Cako. Even after both played four year in college, they have never played each other.

“I’m excited,” stated Guarachi. “I know her game a little and I’ve had some friends that have played her, so I can talk to them.

Another player that did some talking was former University of Florida player Allie Will.

Will fell behind Emma Hayman of New Zealand early and dropped the first set. Will then proceeded to give herself frequent short pep talks as she eeked out a tiebreaker to take the second set to force a decisive third.

The talks appeared to work as Will went on to win the third set and advance.

Also advancing was former USC player and qualifying draw survivor Danielle Lao of Arcadia, California.  Lao came to Macon with no world ranking, but a relaxed attitude and she says that is paying off.

Lao won a battle with fellow American Chiara Scholl 6-4, 6-4 and is content to take it one match at a time.

“I think I decided to play these tournaments a few weeks ago- it was either or going to be great or be a disaster, but so far so good,” offered up Lao.

Lao said she relies on her own instincts when preparing for a match and doesn’t worry about what the stats or percentages say.

"I usually don't check the numbers and stats, but I try to play my game and go out there and access what I need to do.  The numbers don't necessarily lie, but they can be deceiving."

Lao next will face top seeded Adja Tomljanovic.

The tournament’s third seed Madison Brengle cruised through her first round match with a straight set win over Tereza Martincova. Brengle will next face Natalie Pluskota of Sharpsburg, Georgia.

Wednesday’s Results (Winners Listed First)

Starting at 10:00Alexa GUARACHI (USA)Di ZHAO (CHN) WS7-5 6-4

Starting at 10:00Allie WILL (USA)Emma HAYMAN (NZL) WS1-6 7-5 6-3

Starting at 10:00Mari OSAKA (JPN)Asia MUHAMMAD (USA) WS4-6 6-3 6-3

Starting at 10:00Nicole GIBBS (USA) [6]Elizabeth LUMPKIN (USA) WS6-1 6-0

Followed byDanielle LAO (USA)Chiara SCHOLL (USA) WS6-4 6-4

Followed byAlexandra STEVENSON (USA)Caitlin WHORISKEY (USA) WS6-3 1-6 6-4

Followed byPiia SUOMALAINEN (FIN)Samantha CRAWFORD (USA) WS6-4 6-0

Followed byNatalie PLUSKOTA (USA)Angelica MORATELLI (ITA) WS7-6(3) 6-1

Followed byMadison BRENGLE (USA) [3]Tereza MARTINCOVA (CZE) WS6-2 6-4

Followed byRosalia ALDA (USA) / Epiphany B. TURNER (USA)Emma HAYMAN (NZL) / Michelle SAMMONS (RSA) WD6-3 2-6 [13-11]

Followed byKristi BOXX (USA) / Abigail GUTHRIE (NZL)Khristina BLAJKEVITCH (CAN) / Petra JANUSKOVA (CAN) WD6-1 2-6 [10-4]

Followed byAsia MUHAMMAD (USA) / Allie WILL (USA) [1]Nicole GIBBS (USA) / Alexa GUARACHI (USA) WD3-6 6-3 [10-6]

Followed byJennifer ELIE (USA) / Kady POOLER (USA)Ulrikke EIKERI (NOR) / Beatriz HADDAD MAIA (BRA) [4] WD2-0 Ret.

Followed byJulia BOSERUP (USA) / Samantha CRAWFORD (USA)Sanaz MARAND (USA) [3] / Keri WONG (USA) WD6-3 6-3

Qualifying Begins Sunday at the ButlerCars.com Tennis Classic of Macon

ButlerCars.com Tennis Classic of Macon

 
Presented By The W.L. Amos Foundation

 
STRATFORD ACADEMY - JAIME KAPLAN TENNIS CENTER * OCTOBER 6-13, 2013

QUALIFYING BEGINS SUNDAY MORNING

 

MACON, Georgia, (October 5, 2013) 64 women tennis players from all over the world will take to the courts Sunday morning at the Jaime Kaplan Tennis Center at Stratford Academy, for the qualifying draw of the ButlerCars.com Tennis Classic of Macon, presented by the W.L. Amos Foundation- all looking for one of eight remaining spots in the singles main draw.

Players must win three matches to earn one of the coveted spots in the main draw which begins on Tuesday.

"Qualifying matches are typically some of the most competitive matches you will see all week," explains Eric Hayes, tournament director and men's and women's tennis coach at Mercer University. "It's a mix, some of the qualifying draw players are from the area, some are from the other side of the world."

Competitors competing in the qualifying draw include former University of Florida All-American Lauren Embree, Di Zhao of China, former UCLA standout Elizabeth Lumpkin, and a pair of former University of Tennessee products in Caitlin Whoriskey and Natalie Pluskota. Pluskota is from Sharpsburg, Georgia.

"We have an entire week of activities planned, and the qualifying draw just kicks everything off," added Hayes.

Tickets will be available at the gate at Stratford Academy.

This 25K event is mix of rising and established players looking to earn points to finish the year strongly, and in some cases, earn direct acceptance into the 2014 Australian Open.

 *Tournament Fast Facts

 Tournament top seed Ajla Tomljanovic is the highest ranked player in the field (No. 85)

 There are players from 24 countries represented in the BulterCars.com Tennis Classic of Macon

American Nicole Gibbs (Stanford) is the current NCAA singles champion

Coco Vandeweghe is the niece of former NBA great Kiki Vandeweghe

Vandeweghe reached the finals of the WTA Tour's Bank of the West Classic in 2012 before losing to Serena Williams

Alexandra Stevenson reached the semifinals of Wimbledon in 1999. She is also the daughter of NBA Hall of Famer member Julius Erving.

The singles winner on "Finals Sunday"(Oct 13) will receive a check in the amout of $3,919.00 and 50 WTA ranking points.

Players Announced for ButlerCars.com Tennis Classic of Macon

ButlerCars.com Tennis Classic of Macon
Presented By The W.L. Amos Foundation

STRATFORD ACADEMY - JAIME KAPLAN TENNIS CENTER * OCTOBER 6-13, 2013
 PLAYERS ANNOUNCED

MACON, Georgia, (September. 20, 2013) Tennis fans in Macon are in for a rare treat in two weeks as one of the strongest fields to date for a USTA 25K event was announced today for the ButlerCars.com Tennis Classic of Macon, presented by The W.L. Amos Foundation.  The action runs October 6-13 at the Jaime Kaplan Tennis Center at Stratford Academy.

“Wow, it’s the strongest field I’ve ever had in 11 years of running a USTA Pro Circuit event, and that included my 50K events, says Mercer tennis coach and tournament director Eric Hayes.

The field includes one of the fastest rising players in the world in No. 88 Ajla Tomljanovic of Croatia and two Americans looking to improve their rankings in Coco Vandeweghe and Melanie Oudin, who is a former U.S. Open quarterfinalist and is from Marietta, Georgia.

The entire entry list is available at: http://www.itftennis.com/procircuit/tournaments/women%27s-tournament/info.aspx?tournamentid=1100030133

The qualifying draw is equally strong and features Anna Tatishvili of Georgia who was ranked No. 50 in the world a little over a year ago and Nicole Gibbs who has won an NCAA singles title at Stanford. Two University of Georgia players will also be playing the qualifying.

Slated to be the No. 2 seed is Michelle Larcher De Brito of Portugal who upset Maria Sharapova at Wimbledon this summer.

Tickets are now on sale and are available at participating Butler Automotive Group dealerships around Macon and through Mercer tennis coach and tournament director Eric Hayes at (478) 301-2269. Tickets are at priced at $5 per day or $25 for the entire week.

In addition to Butler Automotive Group being the title sponsor, the W.L. Amos Foundation has been added on as the presenting sponsor for 2013.

The tournament will also benefit the Middle Georgia Tennis Foundation.

Anyone interested in volunteering please contact Hayes by email at hayes_ea@mercer.edu or Rick Limpert, tournament press aide at Rick.Limpert@gmail.com.

The tournament offers $25,000 in prize money to the singles and doubles players and a 64-player qualifying tournament will take place during the opening weekend of the tournament.

About the USTA Pro Circuit

With approximately 90 tournaments hosted annually throughout the country and prize money ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, the USTA Pro Circuit is the pathway to the US Open and tour-level competition for aspiring tennis players and a frequent battleground for established professionals. The USTA launched its Pro Circuit 33 years ago to provide players with the opportunity to gain professional ranking points, and it has since grown to become the largest developmental tennis circuit in the world, offering nearly $3 million in prize money. Last year, more than 1,000 men and women from more than 70 countries competed
in cities nationwide. Mardy Fish, Maria Sharapova, Andy Roddick, Caroline Wozniacki, John Isner, Li Na and Andy Murray are among today’s top stars who began their careers on the USTA Pro Circuit.

Jaime Kaplan Tennis Center at Stratford Academy
The Jaime Kaplan Tennis Center is the beautiful new tennis facility at Stratford Academy.  The SP Design Group and Hulsey McCormick & Wallace, Inc. coordinated the design effort with the USTA and the K-12 school for the concession/restroom/locker building and the eight new playing courts. In 2011, the new facility was awarded the USTA Outstanding Facility Award for an educational institution.

Butler Automotive Group
The Butler family has been in the car business for three generations, beginning back in 1933 in Alma, Georgia.  In 1970 Marshall Butler bought a Toyota dealership in Macon, Georgia and over the years has grown his business to include Ford, Honda, Toyota (2), Lexus, Volkswagen, Acura, BMW (2), Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep.

Middle Georgia Tennis Foundation
The mission of the Middle Georgia Tennis Foundation is to raise funds to support tennis programs, especially youth programs in Middle Georgia.  

For more information:
On-site PR contact: Rick Limpert (209) 920-7425 or email: Rick.Limpert@gmail.com
Website: www.ButlerCarsMacon25K.com
Twitter:  @USTAMacon25K