Southern players and organizations are constantly making their mark in the world of tennis. Here's a list of recent awards, achievements and news in April 2016.
Brian Baker serves while partner Ryan Harrison awaits the return. Photo: Jacob Stuckey |
Baker back on comeback trail
Oft-injured Tennessean Brian Baker teamed with Louisiana native Ryan Harrison to win the $50,000 St. Joseph's/Candler Savannah Challenger doubles crown. The wild card team defeated Puav Raja/Divij Sharan 5-7, 7-6(4), 10-8.
In a 13-year pro career, Baker has gone under the knife for multiple surgeries for a series of injuries. In 2012 he advanced to the Nice final on the ATP World Tour. In 2013 he played seven pro matches and none in 2014-2015.
Hrastar, Tanguilig take Easter Bowl crowns
Ava Hrastar was seeded 12th at the 2016 USTA National Spring Tounrament, better known as the Easter Bowl. But, she was still favored over her opponent, Skyler Grishuk, the 13th seed.
Duluth, Ga.'s Hrastar delivered, downing her California opponent, 6-2, 6-1, in the girls' 14s singles.
Winning the girls' 12s doubles championship was Carson Tanguilig, of Alpharetta, Ga. She teamed up with Elise Wagle, of Niskayuna, N,Y, to defeat the top-seeded Mya Byrd and Robin Montgomery 8-2.
Arkansas, Georgia teams win USTA League Invitationals
Two USTA Southern 65 & Over teams scored wins in the 2015 USTA League 65 & Over National Invitational Championships.
The women's 6.0 team from Hot Springs Village, Ark., defeated USTA Eastern team from Mt. Kisko, N.Y., 2-1. The team's captain is Helen Baggett and it's co-captain is Jamie Federick. The team plays out of the Coronado Tennis Center.
The men's 8.0 team captained by Mark Levy won its title by beating USTA Southwest 2-1. Levy's team is based in the Cooper Creek Tennis Center in Columbus, Ga., and its opponent is from Sun Lakes, Ariz.
Taylor Townsend takes three doubles crowns, reaches Dothan final
Atlanta's Taylor Townsend and her partner, Asia Muhammad, have had an April to remember with three doubles titles on the USTA Pro Circuit.
They prevailed in Dothan, Ala. at the Haredee's Pro Classic by crushing Caitlin Whorisky and Keri Wong 6-0, 6-1. At the Wilde Lexus Women's Open in Osprey, Fla., they defeated Americans Louisa Chirico and Katerina Stewart 6-1, 6-7(5) [10-4]. Both tournaments were at the $50,000 level.
At the $25,000 Legacy Credit Uniton Women's Pro Circuit Challenger in Pelham, Ala., Townsend and Muhammed defeated Whoriskey and Sophie Change 6-2, 6-3 in the final
Townsend also reached the Dothan single final but fell to the second-seeded Rebecca Peterson of Sweden.
In Februay, Townsend and Muhammad, who was born in Long Beach, Calif., won the $25,000 Rancho Santa Fe tournament.
Here's more information on Townsend from WTATennis.com
College honors for Eubanks, Daniell
Two college players from Georgia scored notable college honors.
Chris Eubanks, from Atlanta, was named ACC Men's Player of the Year. The Georgia Tech sophomore was ranked No. 7 nationally and 11-1 in ACC play. Read story
Andie Daniell, who hails from Douglasvile, Ga., was named SEC Women's Rookie of the Year. Daniell leads the Alabama Crimson Tide with 20 singles wins throughout her freshman campaign, nine of which have come against nationally-ranked opponents. Read story
Lauren Herring competes for UGA. Photo: Bill Kallenberg |
Min takes Jackson and Pelham, Herring reaches doubles final
Grace Min, a long-time resident of Lawrenceville, Ga., won the USTA Women's $25,000 Challenger of Jackson (Miss.) with a 1-6, 6-2, 6-4 victory over Spaniard Paula Badosa Gibert. She followed it up the next week with a 6-2, 6-2 drubbing of Keri Wong in the final to win the $25,000 Pelham title.
Lauren Herring, a former Univ. of Georgia five-time All-American, and American Yuki Kristina Chiang lost a 6-2, 6-3 final to top-seeded Sharon Fichman and Jamila Wolfe in Jackson. Herring is a native of Greenville, N.C.