‘It’s the best entry list I think we’ve ever had,” says Sue Jollensten, Tournament Director for the 2013 ColemanVision USTA Pro Circuit Women’s Tennis Tournament.
What would make Jollensten say that? The fact that her email and voicemail boxes are filled with messages from players without an automatic bid to this year’s tournament, asking for a wild card. Many are players that were automatic entries into the qualifying or main draws in previous years.
Alison Riske (USA) comes to Albuquerque fresh off her round of sixteen play at the US Open. Riske is currently ranked 81 in the world. She and her doubles partner, Melanie Oudin made it to the round of 32 in the US Open. Oudin will also play this year in the shadow of the Sandias. Other American women in the tournament include Asia Muhammed, Grace Min, Irina Falconi and CoCo Vandeweghe, all of whom have had success here in the past.
Don’t discount the international players in the field, hungry for part of the $75,000 prize money. Michelle Larcher De Brito from Portugal was a spoiler this year at Wimbledon, defeating Maria Sharapova. Andrea Hlavackova (CZE) and Anna Tatishvili (Geo) are both on the verge of breaking into the top ranks.
The tournament receives 3 wild cards to be given into the Singles Qualifying Draw and 1 wild card for the Singles Main Draw and 1 for the Doubles Main Draw. Last year’s singles champion, Maria Sanchez (USA), will get a chance to defend her title on a main draw wild card. Two local players are selected to play on wild cards in the qualifying draw. Albuquerque’s Gabrielle Otero will take time off from her current Louisiana State University schedule to play and University of New Mexico player Michaela Bedzdickova will play as well.
The qualifying matches begin Sunday, September 15 with 28 players and the Main draw will begin Tuesday, September 17, at the Tanoan Country Club, Albuquerque.
ABOUT THE USTA PRO CIRCUIT:
This circuit is a pathway to 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. Past CVTC players have gone on to play and win in the Grand Slam events.
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For more information, contact
Cee Ann Vaughan, Tournament Press Aide
Cell: 478-973-4388
E-mail:
wyolobo@comcast.net