Laurel Oak Country Club Hosts $100,000 USTA Pro Circuit Event thru April 21
(Latest results, Friday’s schedule attached.)
\SARASOTA, Fla., April 18, 2019 – Defending champion and top seed Hugo Dellien of Boliva was knocked out of the tournament on court two, by Asian Karatsev (RUS), 7-6(4), 6-2. At the same time of the upset by Karatsev, Second-seed, Tennys Sandgren (USA) saved four set points in the first set to thwart Brazil’s Guilherme Clezar, 7-6 (5), 6-2. Sandgren was down 15-40 in his service games at 4-5 and 5-6 but summoned some sensational tennis to escape severe trouble, including a second serve, kick serve ace down the tee on one of the set points.
Three other Americans advanced to the quarterfinals – Tommy Paul, Sebastian Korda and Marcos Giron. Three other Americans lost three setters today. Jenson Brookby, an 18 year old from Sacramento, CA, lost 7-6 in the third set to Peter Polansky, coming back from 2-6 down in the final tiebreaker but then losing the next two points.
Bjorn Fratangelo to Andrea Collarini 6-3 in the third set. Collarini, the 27 year old Argentine ranked in the mid 300s, later had his tennis bag stolen near the tournament office. Police are still investigating the theft.
And Noah Rubin lost control of his match with Italian Paolo Lorenzi, retiring in the third set at 1-4 down due to cramps or some kind of leg injury. Rubin was up a set and locked at 4-4 but could not finish off the tenacious veteran from Italy, who was supported today by friend Mirjana Lucic, whose husband is partners owning a restaurant with a Lorenzi pal named Gianni.
Matches resume at 10 am Friday with stormy weather conditions in the forecast.
Elizabeth Moore Sarasota Open
A USTA Pro Circuit Event
Thursday, April 18, 2019
Laurel Oak Country Club
Sarasota, Fla.
Purse: $108,320
Surface: HarTru
2019 ELIZABETH MOORE SARASOTA OPEN – SARASOTA, FL, USA
$108,320
15 – 21 APRIL 2019
RESULTS – APRIL 18, 2019
Men’s
Singles – Third Round
[ITF] A. Karatsev (RUS) d [1] H. Dellien (BOL) 76(4) 62
[2] T. Sandgren (USA) d G. Clezar (BRA) 76(5) 62
[5] P. Lorenzi (ITA) d [9] [WC] N. Rubin (USA) 26 76(4) 41 Retired
[11] M. Giron (USA) d [6] H. Laaksonen (SUI) 76(3) 16 63
A. Collarini (ARG) d [7] B. Fratangelo (USA) 64 16 63
[8] P. Polansky (CAN) d [WC] J. Brooksby (USA) 62 36 76(6)
[15] T. Paul (USA) d D. Galan (COL) 26 61 61
[WC] S. Korda (USA) d [Alt] A. Vukic (AUS) 64 26 64
Men’s
Doubles – Quarterfinals
[1] L. Bambridge (GBR) / J. O’Mara (GBR) d A. Lawson (USA) / P. Polansky (CAN) 63 63
[3] N. Lammons (USA) / A. Qureshi (PAK) d [PR] T. Huey (PHI) / F. Martin (FRA) 67(4) 64 10-8
M. Cuevas (URU) / P. Lorenzi (ITA) d [4] R. Maytin (VEN) / F. Romboli (BRA) 67(5) 75 10-7
[WC] B. Arias (BOL) / S. Bangoura (USA) d M. Krueger (USA) / M. Reid (AUS) 64 64
ORDER OF PLAY – FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2019
JAMES T. DRISCOLL COURT start 10:00 am
[15] T. Paul (USA) vs [5] P. Lorenzi (ITA)
[8] P. Polansky (CAN) vs [2] T. Sandgren (USA)
[1] L. Bambridge (GBR) / J. O’Mara (GBR) vs [3] N. Lammons (USA) / A. Qureshi (PAK)
ELIZABETH MOORE COURT start 10:00 am
[ITF] A. Karatsev (RUS) vs A. Collarini (ARG)
[11] M. Giron (USA) vs [WC] S. Korda (USA)
Artwork of Sebi Korda by Laurel Oak resident and artist Karin Billings who won a silver medal at the 1972 Olympics in Equestrian.
catherine · April 20, 2019 at 1:47 am
Lots of tennis going on around the world but no comments on T-P. I’m a bit surprised.
Scoop Malinowski · April 20, 2019 at 7:09 am
Djokovic lost to Medvedev but as James Blake noted he lacked passion and intensity, possible code for tank plus Medvedev just joined lacoste. Rafa is dominant as usual. Fognini rising again, used fake wrist injury to stall match. Sarasota semis are collarini vs Paul and Sandgren vs giron.
catherine · April 20, 2019 at 10:56 am
Fed Cup news – Belarus split v Aust : Sabalenka another 3 set wonder v Stosur and Barty takes Azarenka in SS – first set close. Next, Barty v Sabalenka and I predict Ash to do this in SS. Aryna will try to outhit her.
Germany bt Latvia in Riga – Penko lost both her matches – to Petko and Mona Barthel. Germany were without Kerber but that probably made little difference. Angie has flu. She is expected to w/d from Stuttgart. Not really the flu season but it is April, which we know is the cruellest month 🙂
Simona starts well v France, bts Kiki.
Canada are without Bianca but have a new up-and-coming junior – Hartt might know about her.
catherine · April 20, 2019 at 11:10 am
The Canadian is Leylah Fernandez and she’s 16.
catherine · April 20, 2019 at 11:58 am
Fake wrist injury or not Fognini beats Nadal in SS.
Hartt · April 20, 2019 at 12:39 pm
Leylah Annie Fernandez has had some success in juniors, but this was a big ask to play against a top 50 player, Marketa Vondrousova in such an impotant match. “The youngest player EVER to compete in a @FedCup World Group Play-off tie: Leylah Annie Fernandez.” (Tennis Canada twitter)
Tennis Canada was simply desperate, with both Andreescu and Abanda out with shoulder problems, and Bouchard taking an extended break to deal with her own problems, including recurring abdominal injuries.
Actually, the youngster played pretty well under the circumstances, winning 5 games in the 2 sets. But she is small, as well as inexperienced, so she was no match for the more powerful Marketa. But she is a fierce competitor, and has a promising future.
Hartt · April 20, 2019 at 12:43 pm
Along with many other people, I was shocked to see Fognini have a relatively easy win over Rafa in the Monte Carlo SF. From what I saw, Fabio was in the zone, and Rafa looked perplexed, and did not help his cause by having UFEs at key moments. So it will be Lajovic vs Fognini in the final. Somehow I doubt that ANYONE predicted that. 🙂
Scoop Malinowski · April 20, 2019 at 5:27 pm
Fognini once again summons his greatest tennis to beat Nadal for the third time. He plays his best tennis vs Nadal. Nadal is not winning the French open this year, Djokovic or someone else. Sandgren edged Giron in three sets 76 36 63. Awesome match, good crowd, 99% for Sandgren. Sandgren is well liked and popular and his playing style thrills the crowd, he is an awesome player to watch. Giron was tough but somewhat limited in comparison. Giron beat Deminaur in IW last year, in three sets. Paul smoked Collarini 61 63. Very interesting final. Brian Gottfried was there today. Big crowd today.
Scoop Malinowski · April 20, 2019 at 5:28 pm
Fernandez lost the AO junior final to the Nordic girl Tauson, both are pretty young 15 and 16. Great experience for the Ecuadorian Canadian girl.
catherine · April 21, 2019 at 3:10 am
As expected Barty bt Sabalenka SS in Fed Cup – Ash served 12 aces, Aryna 8 dfs. Some good rallies from the bits I saw but Barty by far the more consistent and varied. Aryna won more points at the net but she’s not particularly agile there – her body build isn’t right for quick turns. Her balance isn’t always great. Azarenka obliterated Stosur.
Keys lost her Fed Cup singles badly. Maddy doesn’t seem able to think on her feet tennis-wise.
Stuttgart – Sharapova withdrew a few days ago – I really have doubts about her playing again. Stuttgart is usually hit by withdrawals – the clay is not the same as following clay court tournaments so some players tend not to give it priority. Osaka is there and Kerber is still down to play Donna Vekic tomorrow. Angie does not much like Stuttgart but since she drives a Porsche (she’s a very good driver) and it’s a Porsche tournament she probably is expected to show up.
Scoop Malinowski · April 21, 2019 at 8:06 am
Sabalenka may be the year’s biggest disappointment, keys with another abysmal loss. heading to Tallahassee Challenger tomorrow, first time there. I really like these low key Challengers in Florida, the players are so accessible and the relaxed atmosphere of these events is especially charming compared to the huge crowds and high energy of the big money tournaments. Hopefully these Challengers in USA can grow. https://tallahasseechallenger.com/
catherine · April 21, 2019 at 9:05 am
You can’t fault Sabalenka’s committment or intensity – there’s a lot of expectation for a young player coming from Belarus which isn’t traditionally a power in the tennis world – she was apparently in tears before the crucial doubles match – a close 3 set affair won by Aus who now find themselves in the Fed Cup final for the first time in over 20 years. All down to Barty.
Scoop Malinowski · April 21, 2019 at 9:27 am
Hope Sabalenka gets back on track, she looked so fearsome last year, now she looks like an ordinary player. Barty is emerging now as a superstar.
catherine · April 21, 2019 at 10:25 am
Three hour epic between Garcia and Halep – won by Simona and put Roumania through to the final. Caroline brings out her best for Fed Cup – if only she could find that motivation and strength in the big tournaments.
catherine · April 21, 2019 at 10:31 am
Scoop – wouldn’t say Aryna is an ‘ordinary’ player since she’s ranked 10 – but opponents are getting used to her erratic ways and emotional vulnerability. Also, the more I see of her the more I notice her top-heavy build – nothing she can do about that but it does restrict her movement. She can go in a straight line from A to B but if a player like Barty can anticipate and mix things up Aryna’s in trouble.
Is the slice finally on its way back ?
catherine · April 21, 2019 at 1:15 pm
Fed Cup update – Parmentier bts Begu so France/Roumania are down to the doubles. GB bts Kazakhstan and gets promoted – Boulter bts Dias. LTA will be pleased. Quite a good crowd in Copper Box which is a small arena and right for this competition.
Scoop Malinowski · April 21, 2019 at 9:00 pm
Sabalenka reminds me of Mauresmo Catherine, her physical presence. Very physically imposing.
catherine · April 22, 2019 at 1:29 am
Kiki and Caroline win for France and they’ll meet Australia. Heart breaking for Roumania to come so close but France have the better team. Roumania is a team of 1.
Scoop Malinowski · April 22, 2019 at 9:03 am
Kikicaro reunited after a long hiatus, they did not play together for over a year. How was their chemistry this time?
catherine · April 22, 2019 at 1:06 pm
I think they’ve been reconciled for a while – I noticed last year when Caroline was playing Sharapova in some tournament Kiki was in the stands looking on so I imagine they’d patched things up by that time.
They played as well as ever in the doubles – not showy but efficient so I hope they stick together and get a few titles. Could be close Fed Cup final – Aus dependent on Barty in singles and doubles.
Scoop Malinowski · April 22, 2019 at 7:01 pm
Frank dancevic is here in Tallahassee playing doubles with polansky. Frank is one of my favorite interviews in tenmis. He shared some very interesting insights about Felix which I will share later this week.
catherine · April 23, 2019 at 6:54 am
Halep, Muguruza withdraw from Stuttgart – Simona exhausted and injured after Fed Cup. So now seeded No 2 Kerber avoids Donna Vekic in her first match but could meet Kvitova before qf. In 2018 Petra inflicted a bruising defeat on Angie during the Fed Cup tie in Stuttgart so she may not have the best memories.
Meanwhile, a slightly bonkers pre-tournament interview has the press puffing Kerber’s Roland Garros hopes and Angie telling us in very simple English how she takes one match at a time. RG would be nice but I don’t see it in my crystal ball. Weirdly, there are supporting quotes from Wim Fisette, chatting to media in August last year – little did he know……