| Wednesday April 16, 2008 | Update 005 |
Arkansas players advance on Day 1 of the Main Draw |
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The opening day of the main draw proved favorable for the players representing Arkansas in the tournament. Little Rock native Peter Shults (USA), pictured left, defeated Alexander Sadecky (SUI) in his first match of this year’s main draw, 6-4, 6-2. Shults entered the tournament ranked 627 in the world, and is returning to his hometown to compete in the tournament for the second year in a row. In doubles competition, Raul Bermudez (VEN) and Dinko Halachev (BUL) advanced after beating the team of Adam El Mihdawy (USA) and Richard Ruckelshausen (AUT), 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (10-7). Bermudez runs the Bermudez Tennis Academy out of Rebsamen Tennis Center in Little Rock. Halachev attended the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, where he competed as the No. 1 in singles. According to the UALR website, Halachev recorded one of the biggest singles victories in school history defeating former No. 1 Todd Paul of Wake Forest. Todd Paul (USA) is currently ranked 793 and is also here this week playing in both the singles and doubles draws. He had convincing wins in both divisions today (6-3, 6-4 in singles and 6-2, 6-4 in doubles). Next he'll face the #1 seed Artem Sitak (RUS). Former University of Arkansas standout and Little Rock native, Matt Roberts (USA), will take on Shane La Porte (USA) tomorrow afternoon following the day’s first two rounds. Matches will begin at 10 am. It's not every year that we have such talented local players in the tournament. Complete order of play is on our website.
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1PM |
Little Rock's Matt Roberts (USA) will play Shane La Porte (USA). |
After 1PM match |
Adam El Mihdawy (USA) vs. Jean-Michel Durango (ECU). Last year this time Adam was a senior in high school. He turned 18 last September and has been playing the Pro Circuit. With success in the qualifying rounds and a few main draw wins, he's poised to make a move. He's definitely an American rising star to watch. |
Order of Play and Draws at www.newoutlooktennis.com
The St. Vincent tournament is run by an army of volunteers. Some who have a little time to help with one or two important tasks and others who jump in with both feet and seem to be everywhere.
Carol ("Mugs") is part of the second group. She joined the committee last year and is a true "go to" person when something has to be done. In her short time on the committee she has touched almost every part of the event including ordering trophies, distributing flyers, coordinating other volunteers and helping with the social and finals events.
Her and her husband are housing two of the players this year - Whit Livingston (USA) on the far left and Haydn Lewis (BAR) on the right.
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Thursday at 6:30pm - PVCC Ballroom CLICK HERE for details and to make your reservation. |
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