Jankovic Breezes to Semifinals in Charleston

#3 seed Jelena has blitzed her way into the semi-finals without losing a set at the Family Circle Cup in Charleston.  With a new coach, and what she calls a new attitude, the Serb now faces her toughest test in world #1 and top-seeded Caroline Wozniacki.

"I've just been to two tournaments so far with Andrei (new coach Andrei Pavel), and things are going real well so far," says a confident Jankovic.  "He believes in me and that means a lot."

Jankovic, the 2007 champ easily disposed of American Christina McHale in the quarters and all her attention now is on Wozniacki. 

“She runs a lot of balls down. She really doesn’t give you any free points, so you really have to work hard and really have to earn everything.”

Jankovic is 4-1 lifetime against Wozniacki, but Wozniacki won the last meeting earlier this year in Dubai.  The pair has never met on clay.  Many have noticed that Jankovic has spent a great deal of time on the practice courts this week.  Pavel has been working on her being more aggressive with the forehand and it appears to be paying off.

"I’m feeling good," Jankovic said. "My game is getting better and better."

I have a feeling it will have to be good come 1 pm Saturday against Wozniacki.

Family Circle Cup Sponsors Become Part of the Action

Sponsorships and marketing deals are nothing new to the world of sports.  Tobacco companies were major sponsors of baseball back as far as the early 1900’s, and who can forget all the Miller Lite ads in the 1980’s and 90’s that featured ex-jocks promoting sports and beer.

But sometime in the 1990’s sponsors started being called partners as they wanted more say how their marketing dollars were utilized.  Companies wanted more than a name on a scoreboard or sign, they wanted to be identified with the event and venue.  For years sponsorship spending rose by more than 10% a year, says IEG, a Chicago trade publication that follows the sponsorship and naming rights industry.  That all came to a screeching halt in 2009 when spending on sports sponsors hips shrank by $100 million.  Some may blame a weak economy and some attribute it to the changing landscape of sports and all the scandals that started making the front page of newspapers and not just the sports pages.

The Family Circle Cup and it’s rich history is known throughout the world.  This event is lucky to have a stable title sponsor that has been with this great event for almost 40 years.  That is almost unheard of in sports in any era.

Events like the Family Circle Cup need more than a title sponsor to be successful, and they have them.  From Dove, and the City of Charleston to SunTrust, Mohawk and Island House; national and local sponsors are needed for a major tennis event like this.

Who appreciates the sponsors?  Players, fans and tournament officials all have the sponsors to thank.

Companies still receive the usual signage

How is this done in Charleston?

At the Family Circle Cup, sponsors roll out the red carpet for both the players and fans, literally.  Fans entering the Family Circle Cup Tennis Center pass over a plush red carpet with the name Mohawk emblazoned across it.  Genius.  

The red carpets are also visible on center court as the players chairs are placed on top of the Mohawk red carpets.  Great idea!

Speaking of the chairs where the players sit on changeovers, they aren’t chairs at all.  They are plush wicker sofas, something like you will find in your sunroom.  All provided by Island House.  Great exposure and very visible to the fans in the stadium and those watching on ESPN 2.  

Speaking of ESPN 2, the television coverage featuring Cliff Drysdale and Pam Shriver is basically a 2-hour commerical for Charleston and Daniel Island as they wax poetic about the great restaurants, endless shopping and historic sites you can tour.

I’m not event mentioning the presenting sponsor, Dove who is handing out free samples of their products onsite and Dell, who has a huge tent showcasing their computers, tablets, and new technology that is coming in 2011.  

As a nice touch for the local sponsors, the tournament invites them to toss the coin and pose with players before Stadium Court matches and in between matches a local chiropractor led the crowd in exercises to stay fit and pain-free while watching tennis in the South Carolina sun.

Call them what you want, but sponsorships still rule the world of sports.  The Family Circle Cup, being the fan-friendly and special event it is handles sponsorships, err partnerships better than most.  They are unique and blend in with the flavor of the tournament, they don’t stick out like a sore thumb; you remember them and you want to use their products.  A win-win situation for all involved.

 The plush Island House changeover sofas

I've never seen such comfortable chairs for the linespeople

A local doctor tosses the coin before the Melanie Oudin match

Family Circle Cup Helps Japan Throughout the Week

There may only be one woman in the singles main draw at the Family Circle Cup, but Japan is not far from the thought of anyone attending or playing in the event this week.

The Family Circle Cup and its parent company, Meredith Corporation, have partnered with Subaru of Charleston, the tournament’s official vehicle provider, and the American Red Cross in a tsunami relief effort, with all proceeds benefitting the Red Cross Japan relief program.  Marking the tournament’s 39th consecutive year, the Family Circle Cup is scheduled April 2-10, 2011 at the Family Circle Tennis Center in the Best Tennis Town in America, Charleston, SC.

Beginning today and concluding at 1:00 pm on Sunday, April 10^th, fans will have the opportunity to guess the number of tennis balls inside a Subaru Forrester on-site at the Family Circle Cup for just $5.00 per entry.  The closest guess will win the use of a Subaru Forrester for 90 days.

“The Family Circle Cup is a signature event for the Lowcountry, and Subaru of Charleston is excited to be involved,” said Robert Crews, owner, Subaru of Charleston.  “We are also pleased to be partnering with the American Red Cross in efforts to raise money for the Japanese relief fund. Come by and see us by the front entrance.”

Also included in this initiative, a special Family Circle Cup Box Holder reception will be held tonight at the Daniel Island Club, featuring a group of top players who will visit with the tournament’s most dedicated fans.  These special ticket patrons will have the opportunity to bid on a variety of items, including two Dunlop custom-made Family Circle Cup tennis racquets signed by many of the top seeds, and highlighted by two very unique player interaction experiences.  World No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki has donated two Player Box seats for a match, as well as a private meet & greet after the match.  World No. 5 and defending Family Circle Cup champion Samantha Stosur has donated a private 30-minute hitting session including her and her coach during the tournament.

Meredith Corporation, parent company of the Family Circle Cup, holds an annual charity auction with VIP guests during the world class tennis tournament, and 50% of all proceeds at this year’s event on Friday, April 8 will be donated to this relief effort.

The Family Circle Cup will donate $2.00 for every patron who attends the finals on Sunday, April 10^th.

“The Family Circle Cup is truly an international event, hosting players from all over the world, including Japan, so we are proud to do our part in this relief effort.  Our goal is to raise $50,000 for Japan relief through the combination of these events,” said Bob Moran, General Manager, Family Circle Cup. “We’re very excited to include our fans in these fundraising programs because we know they feel just as passionately about this important cause as we do.”

You can help people affected by disasters like the Japanese Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami, as well as countless crises at home and around the world, by making a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief.  Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for and provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance in response to disasters.

Sam Stosur is helping raise money for Japan

Pictures From Family Circle Cup All Access Hour

All top 8 seeds present at today's media hour.

10,000+ Attend Qualifying Days at Family Circle Cup

Some pro tennis tournaments have to give away tickets to get a couple thousand people through the gates for two days of qualifying action, Charleston and the Family Circle Cup played host to 10,484 this weekend as 8 qualifying spots were awarded into the main draw which begins on Monday.

A pair of 3-set marathons highlighted Sunday's qualifying action as Alexandra Stevenson and Monica Puig overcame their nerves and outlasted their opponents for victories.

Both were impressive wins for two players who are on opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to their career.  Stevenson, now in her 30's had her best days in tennis over a decade ago, but she continues to battle through qualifying draws around the world. 

Puig is a fresh young face from Puerto Rico who now will be playing in her first WTA event main draw.  She battled her German opponent tooth and nail for over three hours before pulling out the win.

Here are the rest of Sunday's qualifying results:

Women's
Qualifying Singles - Second Round
Qualifying - A Stevenson (USA) d C Vandeweghe (USA) 62 26 64
Qualifying - S Mirza (IND) d O Savchuk (UKR) 64 63
Qualifying - H Watson (GBR) d L Wienerova (SVK) 61 76(2)
Qualifying - A Tatishvili (GEO) d T Luzhanska (UKR) 62 62
Qualifying - I Falconi (USA) d S Foretz Gacon (FRA) 76(5) 75
Qualifying - E Birnerova (CZE) d E Bychkova (RUS) 63 62
Qualifying - [WC] M Puig (PUR) d T Malek (GER) 57 64 63
Qualifying - S Stephens (USA) d [WC] G Dabrowski (CAN) 63 61