2021 Mercer Tennis Classic Singles Final Set
10/23/2021 4:37:00 PM | Women's Tennis
Brengle and Diyas Gleason/Harrison Take Doubles Title
MACON, Ga -Â Once again, beautiful fall weather, temperatures in the 70s greeted players and fans on Saturday at the Mercer Tennis Classic. On Saturday the two singles semi-finals were played along with the doubles final.
Â"This was a historic Saturday for our tournament," stated Tournament Director and Mercer Head Men's and Women's Tennis Coach, Eric Hayes. "We've never had four players ranked as high in our semis."
Two WTA Tour veterans took to the main court Saturday morning. Beatriz Haddad Maia of Brazil is coming off a great showing in Indian Wells and Zarina Diyas is making her first trip to Macon.
There wasn't much margin between the two as the first set started. Diyas found her groove at 4-4 and was able to win the final two games of the set on Maia unforced errors. Haddad Maia took a bathroom break between sets, but it wasn't enough to stop Diyas and her consistency and Kazach claimed the match 6-4, 6-1.
Top-seed Madison Brengle has spent more time on the singles court than anyone this week and she's been one of the sharpest players. Brengle was able to jump out to a quick lead in the opener and held on to a 6-3 win. The second set was closer, with a few close line calls making all the difference in the end along with Brengle's mental toughness. Brengle 6-3, 6-4.
All American doubles final on Saturday featuring Alycia Parks and Alana Smith vs. Quinn Gleason and Catherine Harrison.
Gleason and Harrison jumped out to an early break in set one and held it throughout. More excellent play from Gleason and Harrison in the second as they raced out to a 5-1 lead before claiming the title. The 12th ITF doubles title for Gleason and the ninth for Harrison.
Singles final at 1pm on Sunday.
ÂNotes:
13 different countries were represented in the singles main draw this year.Â
Special events held during the week:
Tuesday October 19 - Mercer Night with free admission with Mercer ID
Wednesday October 20 - Macon Tennis Legends Night
Thursday October 21 - Hero's Night - Honoring NJTL, Autism Awareness and Veterans
Now in its ninth year and fifth year as an W80 event, the Mercer Tennis Classic will once again feature many of the best women tennis players in the world. It is the second biggest professional tournament in the state of Georgia in terms of prize money (ATP World Tour 250 event - Truist Atlanta Open in July, is the largest). It is also the longest running professional women's tennis tournament in the state of Georgia. The event has been showcased on the Tennis Channel.
Tickets will be available onsite and online this year. $5 per day and $20 for the entire week.
The Mercer Tennis Classic has featured players with major titles, including 2014 Macon singles champ, Kateryna Bondarenko, of Ukraine, and her sister, Alona, who she teamed with to win the 2008 Australian Open Doubles title, and 2010 French Open singles champion Francesca Schiavone, of Italy, who was the tournament's top seed in 2018.
The event will adhere to all government-mandated COVID-19 restrictions.
This tournament will be streamed live on www.usta.com/procircuit.Â
Tournament volunteers are needed and any help is always appreciated. Call Mercer tennis coach and tournament director Eric Hayes at (478) 301-2269.
About the John Drew Smith Tennis Center
The John Drew Smith Tennis Center (JDSTC) is regarded as one of the top 25 public municipal facilities in the nation by Tennis Magazine and the United States Tennis Association. It has 24 tennis courts, 6 pickleball courts, a beautiful observation deck and pro shop. The facility is a haven for programming for juniors, adults, and everyone in the community. John Drew Smith Tennis Center is renowned for hosting local, state, and national tennis events. Tennis players not only from the state of Georgia but all over the country, are familiar with JDS. Almost every competitive junior player from the state of Georgia in the last 30 years has played at this renowned facility. The activity is so extensive and the atmosphere is so conducive to tennis that, in 2005, Racquet Sports Industry (RSI) named John Drew Smith Tennis Center the Municipal Facility of the Year.
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.
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
