Mercer Tennis Classic: All-American Semifinals in Macon

MACON, Ga. - The rain held off on Friday at the 2019 Mercer Tennis Classic. That gave a chance for four title hungry Americans to advance into the semifinals in Macon.

South Carolina native, Shelby Rogers, was ready for a battle with former world No. 7 Coco Vandeweghe in what would appear on the surface to be a monster battle for the quarterfinals of a USTA Pro Circuit event.

That was until Rogers unleashed a barrage of forehands, keeping Vandeweghe off-balance and frustrated for 60 minutes of tennis on Court 1.

The 6-0, 6-0 result surprised everyone, including Rogers.

"She's an incredible competitor and intimidating when you walk on the court," said Rogers following the victory. "Not 100% on the court for her today, which was tough, but not enjoyable for me. It's tough, we are friends and I know what she is going through coming back from injuries."

Rogers advances to take on an upstart Grace Min, who defeated Whitney Osuigwe 6-1, 6-3.

Saturday's second semifinal will feature Katerina Stewart, who ended Irina Falconi' run in Macon and Danielle Lao, who is making a nice run of herself so far this week, winning each of her matches in straight sets.

Lao outclassed the Swiss player, Stefanie Voegele 6-1, 6-2.

"It's been great," stated Lao. "I never think there is an easy match to be honest. Going into the semis with three clean wins against quality opponents is great for (my) confidence."

Lao's nickname is "The Little Giant" but this week she says there is no fear, because she's making it a point to be more confident.

"Definitely something I've been working on. I've been getting better at it and the performance is shining through right now. Even is there is a bad week, it's ok."

Semifinals set for Saturday afternoon.

Starting at 10:00 WD final Jaimee FOURLIS (AUS) / Valentini GRAMMATIKOPOULOU (GRE) vs. Usue Maitane ARCONADA (USA) [3] / Caroline DOLEHIDE (USA)

Starting at 12:30 WS semi final Katerina STEWART (USA) vs. Danielle LAO (USA)

Followed by WS semi final Shelby ROGERS (USA) vs. Grace MIN (USA)

Doubles final is Saturday at 10am.

Friday's Results:
Shelby ROGERS (USA) def. Coco VANDEWEGHE (USA) 6-0 6-0
Grace MIN (USA) def. Whitney OSUIGWE (USA) [2] 6-1 6-3
Katerina STEWART (USA) def. Irina FALCONI (USA) 6-4 7-6(2)
Danielle LAO (USA) def. Stefanie VOEGELE (SUI) [3] 6-1 6-2

Usue Maitane ARCONADA (USA) / Caroline DOLEHIDE def. Suzan LAMENS (NED) / Marina MELNIKOVA (RUS) 6-2 7-5
Jaimee FOURLIS (AUS) / Valentini GRAMMATIKOPOULOU def. Alexandra MUELLER (USA) / Sophia WHITTLE (USA) 6-3 5-7 [10-8]

The top seeded doubles team for the week, Johanna Larsson and Mandy Minella were defeated in the second round.

On Wednesday, the Mercer Tennis Classic hosted a Net Generation Kid's Day attended by up to 100 junior tennis players.

Mark your calendars for a week of events.

Saturday October 26 - Doubles Final followed by semifinal matches
Sunday October 27 - Singles Final

For 2019, the Tennis Channel will once again be in Macon. This year they will cover the first rounds on its online platform, and the semifinals and finals will be live on Tennis Channel

"It's a testament to how much our event has grown and the quality of field we get each year that the Tennis Channel would want to come to Macon and show live coverage. This is unprecedented coverage and exposure for not only Mercer, but for the city of Macon and Middle Georgia."

Now in its seventh year and third year as an 80K event, the Mercer Tennis Classic will once again feature a weeklong 32 player singles draw and 16 doubles teams in Macon. It's seven days of fan friendly tennis and now the second biggest professional tournament in the state of Georgia in terms of prize money (ATP World Tour 250 event - BB&T Atlanta Open in July, is the largest). It is also the longest running professional women's tennis tournament in the state of Georgia.

The Mercer Tennis Classic has featured players with major titles. 2014 Macon singles champ, Kateryna Bondarenko, of Ukraine, and her sister, Alona, teamed with to win the 2008 Australian Open Doubles title. The Bondarenko Sisters have played doubles in Macon. In 2017, 2010 French Open singles champ, Francesca Schiavone of Italy was the top seed.

Players come to Macon to play for $80,000 in prize money, valuable WTA ranking points and in the past, a spot in the first major of 2020, the Australian Open in Melbourne. A women's wild card will be awarded to the American with the highest cumulative total of WTA singles ranking points earned from upcoming events. Only Americans who do not earn direct entry into the Australian Open are eligible. In the event of a tie, the player with the best WTA singles ranking, will be awarded the wildcard.

Highlights of the week include the Tuesday Pro Am and Player/Sponsor party, and an annual event with free lessons, food and more. Also the players will make visits to area schools to promote tennis as a lifetime sport and the professional event, along with surprises during the week!

Tournament volunteers are needed and any help is always appreciated. Call Mercer tennis coach and tournament director Eric Hayes at (478) 301-2269.

Tournament Facts:
Mercer Tennis Classic
A USTA Pro Circuit Event
Oct. 21-27, 2019
Leroy Peddy Tennis Center
Macon, Ga.
Purse: $80,000
Surface: Hard-Outdoor
Tournament Director: Eric Hayes

About the Leroy Peddy Tennis Center
The LeRoy Peddy Tennis Center is the home for Mercer University men's and women's tennis. The facility is located just inside the South campus entrance, nestled among its pine tree lined western perimeter and adjacent to MU's softball stadium and practice fields. The Center features a total of eight courts, aligned in a picturesque bi-level configuration (four courts each on the upper and lower tiers). With a digital scoreboard featuring real-time scoring of matches, the lighted venue also has ample parking and seating for fans on either level and a park-like walkway for access between the two sections.

About the USTA Pro Circuit
With approximately 90 tournaments hosted annually throughout the country and prize money ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, the USTA Pro Circuit is the pathway to the US Open and tour-level competition for aspiring tennis players and a frequent battleground for established professionals. The USTA launched its Pro Circuit in 1979 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. Last year, more than 1,000 men and women from more than 70 countries competed in cities nationwide. Victoria Azarenka, Eugenie Bouchard, John Isner, Madison Keys, Andy Murray, Kei Nishikori, Sam Querrey and Caroline Wozniacki are among today's top stars who began their careers on the USTA Pro Circuit.

Middle Georgia Tennis Foundation
The mission of the Middle Georgia Tennis Foundation is to raise funds to support tennis programs, especially youth programs in Middle Georgia.

For more information:
On-site PR contact: Rick Limpert (209) 920-7425 or email: Rick.Limpert@gmail.com
Website: www.ustamaconclassic.com
Twitter: @USTAMacon80K
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MaconTennisClassic/
Instagram: wl_amos_tennis

Mercer Tennis Classic: All-American Semifinals in Macon

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