Madison Keys, Rhyne Williams Win Australian Open Wildcards

Fun weekend of pretty good tennis in Norcross, as Madison Keys repeats, and former Tennessee player Rhyne Williams wins his first Australian Open wildcard.

Keys defeated Mallory Burdette and Williams beat Tim Smyczek.

Madison Keys Wins USTA Australian Open Playoffs

Madison Keys defeats Gail Brodsky to win Australian Open Wildcard

Listen to what Madison has to say about her big win and how excited she is to be playing in the Australain Open.

Robby Ginepri in Main Draw of Atlanta Tennis Championships

Good news for Atlanta tennis fans.  Atlanta native and former top 15 player Robby Ginepri has been given a wild card into the Atlanta Tennis Championships, the first event in the 2011  Olympus US Open Series at the Racquet Club of the South, July 18-24.

Ginepri has won three ATP World Tour titles in his career dating back to 2003, where he captured his first in Newport. His other two came in Indianapolis in 2005 and 2009. He is back on tour after rehabilitation sidelined the ATP Tour vet from Kennesaw for the first half of 2011. Last September he fell off of his bicycle when trying to avoid hitting a squirrel at Kennesaw Mountain, breaking his left elbow.

Ginepri hasn't played in a tour level event since last year's U.S. Open.  He's grateful for the opportunity in Atlanta.  "I'm so thankful to be back playing tennis, and for the opportunity to play in front of my hometown fans in Atlanta," Ginepri said. "It's a great tournament, and I hope that people from all over the area can come out and support me and the other amazing professionals."

At least six Americans are entered into the main draw.  Qualifying matches begin Saturday morning. 

Robby Ginepri at the 2010 ATC

Maria Sharapova Passes on Wildcard in Charleston

World No. 13 Maria Sharapova has rescinded her wild card entry, and will not appear in the 2011 Family Circle Cup.  The tournament continues to be highlighted by four Top 10 players including World No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki, World No. 5 Samantha Stosur, World No. 7 Jelena Jankovic, and World No. 10 Marion Bartoli, as well as former Cup champions Nadia Petrova and Sabine Lisicki.  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.

“Maria Sharapova is a superstar talent, and her presence in our player field will be missed by the tournament and the fans alike,” said Bob Moran, Family Circle Cup General Manager.  “We knew there was a chance she would withdraw depending on her performance in Miami when she accepted our wild card in January, and we congratulate Maria on her success at that event.  Despite the loss of one high profile competitor, our draw still boasts four of the Top 10 players in the world, as well as four Family Circle Cup champions and a host of other marquis players.”

Qualifying matches continue today and main draw action begins Monday.



USTA Australian Open Wildcard Playoffs: Women's Day 2

CoCo Vandeweghe is one match away from gaining entrance to the main draw at the 2011 Australian Open.  Vandeweghe's power game proved too much for Beatrice Capra today at the USTA Australian Open Wildcard Playoffs held at the Racquet Club of the South outside of Atlanta, GA.

Vandeweghe ended Capra's hopes with a 6-1, 6-4 victory. 

Vandeweghe will have her hands full with a youngster who is on quite a roll.  Fresh off a victory at the Dunlop Orange Bowl, Lauren Davis of Gates Mill, OH defeated Krista Hardebeck 6-2, 6-1 to earn her spot in the finals.  Davis said coming off her first round win yesterday that her legs felt a bit tired.  She will need to be in top form to stand up to the powerful Vandeweghe on these fast indoor courts.

Lauren Davis