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JULY 2012 CATCH A RISING STAR...TODAY! www.procircuit.usta.com

SUCCESSES ABOUND ON 2012 PRO CIRCUIT he USTA Pro Circuit posted successes across the board in the first half of 2012, from the players to the tournaments and from sponsorship to cross-functional Tcollaboration. In all, the USTA Pro Circuit once again carried out its goal of devel- oping the next generation of world-class players—and delivered plenty of fun to local communities throughout the country in the process.

The men’s USTA Pro Circuit began the year with a tournament title from rising star —the 2010 US Open boys’ singles champion and 2011 US Open mixed doubles champion— and witnessed the impressive ascent of , who began the year ranked in the 400s and put a bow on June by advancing to the fourth round Brian Baker at Wimbledon to crack the Top 100.

I N S I D E :

In between, established himself as a player to USTA PRO CIRCUIT HOSTS watch, winning three singles and three doubles titles on the USTA ANNUAL TOURNAMENT Pro Circuit to rise more than 250 spots in the world rankings. DIRECTORS WORKSHOP The women’s USTA Pro Circuit featured a few The USTA Pro Circuit staff hosted the Melanie rising stars of its own. , the 2011 annual USTA Pro Circuit Tournament Oudin US Open girls’ singles champion, won three titles Directors Workshop April 27-29 at the in four finals in the first half of 2012, highlighted Hyatt Regency in Coral Gables, Fla. by a victory at the $50,000 event in Indian Harbour The theme of the gathering was Beach, Fla., to surge from No. 414 in the world “Back to Basics.” rankings to No. 169. also had a standout first half, claiming doubles titles (with Yasmin Schnack) at 10 AND UNDER TENNIS three events and winning the singles title at the $50,000 event in A HIT IN PELHAM Sacramento, Calif. In total, Min added 228 WTA points by Several hundred kids participated in playing on the USTA Pro Circuit and Sanchez added 200. 10 and Under Tennis demonstrations and clinics at an event held in conjunc- The USTA Pro Circuit also continued its close collaboration with USTA Player Development by utilizing the Pro Circuit to deter- tion with the $25,000 USTA Pro Circuit mine the USTA wild cards (one men’s, one women’s) awarded event in Pelham, Ala. for the 2012 . Brian Baker and claimed those wild cards by earning the most ATP and WTA points, BRIAN BAKER TIMELINE respectively, at select clay-court USTA Pro Circuit events, and both Brian Baker jump-started his career on recipients used the wild cards to good measure, each advancing to the USTA Pro Circuit and vaulted into the second round at Roland Garros. This new format was such a the Top 100. Here’s a timeline of his success that it will be repeated this summer to determine one men’s remarkable ascent up the rankings. and one women’s into the 2012 US Open. AROUND THE CIRCUIT page 2 F I R S T S E R V E S

US TA Pro Circu it H osts Tourn a men t Directors Workshop

The annual USTA Pro Circuit Tourna- ment Directors Workshop was held April 27-29 at the Hyatt Regency in Coral Gables, Fla., hosted by the USTA Pro Circuit staff. Attendees included tournament directors from the men’s and women’s Futures events ranging in prize money from $10,000 to $25,000. The theme of the workshop was “Back to Basics,” which covered a wide range of topics from securing part- nerships to court set-up.

Tennis Channel Tallahassee’s 20th Highlights Backing the USTA 2012 Anniversaries Pro Circuit The Tallahassee Challenger in Tallahassee, Fla., celebrated its 20th year on the UST A Pro has supported the Circuit in 2012, placing it among USTA Pro Circuit the longest-running c urrent and its endeavors USTA Pro Circuit events. this year, including a special “Court Tallahassee wasn’t the only

Report” that fea- men’s event to cele brate a m ile- tured Jack Sock and Grace Min stone anniversary on the UST A

during their runs at the Plantation Pro Circuit in 2012, with the

Futures in Plantation, Fla., in Futures events in Harlingen,

Harlingen Tournament Director Tallahassee Tourna ment Director January. The “Court Report” also Texas, and Tampa, F la., bein g Andy C arter and USTA Pro Karen Vogter and USTA Pro Circuit provided some background on honored for 10 years. Circuit Director Brian E arley Senior Manager Danielle Gooding the USTA Pro Circuit, including the

number of events, prize money, participants and alumni.

In addition, Tennis Channel has USTA Pro Circuit Adds New Features

begun running scrolling USTA Pro to Website, Draw Sheets Circuit results on its ticker through-

out the year, and the Tennis Channel The USTA Pro Circu it homep age on USTA.com has news production team has been added a couple of n ew featu res fo r 2012 , including added to the USTA Supervisor “Circuit Spotlight” and “Did You Know?” distribution lists for daily results and schedules. Every month, a new highlight will be sho wcased,

whether it’s player- or tour-

To cap things off, a link to the nament-related. In other Dallas Challenger’s live streaming USTA Pro Circuit house- was posted on TennisChannel.com keeping items, tourn ament and footage from the Challenger logos are now featu red w /procircuit in Savannah, Ga., was used for a www.itftennis.com on all distrib- # Seeded Players # Lucky Losers Replacing Draw date/time: 03 JUN 2012 15:36 Tennis Channel story on Brian 1 SANDGREN, Tennys 1 SANTIAGO, Mico GRAY, Will Last Direct Acceptance uted fact 2 OUELLETTE, Gregory JUNG, Jason 3 MCCLUNE, Michael Player representatives Baker. CNN International also used 4 TAKEUCHI, Kento Chris WETTENGEL sheets and 5 WOLMARANS, Fritz footage from Savannah for a piece 6 BENNETEAU, Antoine Signature draws. 7 BRITTON, Devin # Protected Ranking: Name it did on Baker.) 8 KING-TURNER, Daniel David LITTLEFIELD AROUND THE CIRCUIT page 3

USTA PRO CIRCUIT TOURNAMENT NEWS —WOMEN

RANCHO MIRAGE RAISES MORE

THAN $110,000 FOR CHARITY

The Childhelp Desert Classic, the $25,000 event in Rancho Mirage, Calif., raised just over $110,000 in February during its signature fundraiser, the “Childhelp Desert Classic Fireside Chat,” which was moderated by Charlie Pasarell and featured five-time US Open champion .

The fundraiser was organized by Tournament Director Lornie Kuhle and Co-Tournament Director Jackie Cooper. The proceeds benefitted the Childhelp Merv Griffin Village, a residential treatment center for abused children.

Jimmy Connors and Charlie Pasarell

The women’s event in Osprey, Fla., made a successful debut as a $50,000 event in March 2012. Shown above is presenting sponsor Rich Chojnacki, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, with champion .

Tournament Director Erik Stenberg (left) promoted the USTA Pro Circuit event in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., to 2,000 attendees at a local trade show. The $25,000 event returned to the USTA Pro Circuit in March 2012 following a one-year hiatus. AROUND THE CIRCUIT page 4

USTA PRO CIRCUIT TOURNAMENT NEWS —WOMEN

10 AND UNDER TENNIS

A HIT IN PELHAM

Several hundred kids participated in 10 and Under Tennis demonstrations and clinics at an event held in conjunction with the $25,000 USTA Pro Circuit event in Pelham, Ala.

The event took place in April at both the Valley Inter- mediate School in Pelham and the Pelham Racquet Club, which hosted the USTA Pro Circuit event. It was a true cross-functional effort on behalf of the USTA, involving multiple departments in the national office as well as section staff and countless volunteers.

Professional players and teaching pros joined in the fun and offered tips on how to get started using the smaller courts, slower-moving and lower-bouncing balls, and lighter, shorter racquets of 10 and Under Tennis. Pelham, is, in fact, one of the USTA’s target markets for 10 and Under Tennis, meaning the USTA has invested time, money and resources into growing the initiative in this vital area.

A USTA PRO CIRCUIT DOUBLE: TWO EVENTS IN ONE YEAR FOR WILLIAMSBURG

In June, Williamsburg, Va., hosted its second $10,000 women’s clay-court event in less than one year, when Tournament Director Kevin Dry seized the opportunity to host a June date after Cleveland came off the calendar. Williamsburg also hosted a $10,000 event in October 2011.

Previous winners in Williamsburg include 2009 champion Beatrice Capra, who the following year qualified and reached the third round of the US Open; , who earned wild cards into the main draws of the 2011 and the ; and Danielle Collins, a promising junior who went on to the win the 2011 National Spring Championships Anne-Liz Jeukeng (center) and a number of USTA Pro Circuit players took time out to visit the kids and stage a 10 and Under Tennis clinic at Central The Kingsmill Resort & Spa Manor Elementary School during the $10,000 in Williamsburg, Va. event in Landisville, Pa.

NEW SACRAMENTO EVENT UNVEILS TOURNEY LOGO

The new $50,000 event in Sacra- mento, Calif., held in May, unveiled its tournament logo. Here’s a look: AROUND THE CIRCUIT page 5

USTA PRO CIRCUIT TOURNAMENT NEWS —WOMEN

HELLOS AND GOODBYES

ON THE WOMEN’S USTA PRO CIRCUIT

For 2012, the USTA Pro Circuit women’s calendar bids a fond adieu to the events in ; Boston; Cleveland; St. Joseph, Mo.; Kansas City, Mo.; and Bayamon, Puerto Rico.

Joining the calendar are a series of new tourna- ments, including four in the month of July alone. Here’s a look at the new events:

• Sacramento, Calif., which held a $50,000 The Dr. Eddie Floyd Florence Tennis Center in Florence, S.C., features 24 asphalt courts, event in May at the Gold River Racquet Club; six Har-Tru clay courts and a tennis activity center with outdoor decking.

• Denver, the $50,000 event that launched July 2 • New Orleans, a $10,000 event scheduled • Florence, S.C., which will at the Colorado Athletic Club at Inverness; for July 23 at New Orleans University; as the final $25,000 event of the season, starting October 22. • Yakima, Wash., which held a $50,000 • Fort Worth, Texas, a $10,000 event starting event starting July 9 at the Yakima Tennis Club; July 30 at Texas Christian University; and

NEW AND FAMILIAR FACES AT WOMEN’S PRO CIRCUIT EVENTS A number of tournament directors are back on the USTA Pro Circuit, many in new locations.

Linda Cappel will take the lead as tournament director at the $10,000 event in Fort Worth, Texas. Cappel previously worked as a volunteer at the event when it was last held in 2007.

Also, Susan Wild assumed the role of tournament director at the $10,000 event in Sumter, S.C., following Tom Ruth’s departure; Brian Parkkonen will be the tournament director at the new event in Florence, S.C., (Parkkonen Brandon Frazier (third from right), previously served as the tournament Pat Van Der Meer (third from left) director at Hilton ); and and the doubles finalists at the $10,000 event in Hilton Head held Brandon Frazier assumed his new earlier this year. role as tournament director in Hilton Head. AROUND THE CIRCUIT page 6

USTA PRO CIRCUIT TOURNAMENT NEWS —MEN

NEW $100,000 EVENTS OFF

TO STRONG STARTS

The two winter/spring events that moved up to $100,000 purses— Dallas and Sarasota, Fla.—both got off to solid starts in 2012, boasting impressive draws and strong at- tendance numbers.

Part of the impetus behind an increased number of $100,000 events on the USTA Pro Circuit was to give U.S. players more chances to earn more ATP ranking points close to home, and the Americans obliged by taking home the titles at both events. In Dallas, took a big step toward rejoining the Top 100 by claiming the title with a straight-sets win over ’s , while in Sarasota, Sam Querrey continued to work his way back from elbow surgery, knocking off ’s in a three-set final.

SCHEDULE CHANGES FOR 2012 NEW LOGOS FOR AUSTIN, MEN’S PRO CIRCUIT SCHEDULE JOPLIN, SACRAMENTO AND There are a number of changes to the 2012 calendar for the VERO BEACH second half of the USTA Pro Circuit men’s season. They are as follows: The Futures events in Austin, Texas; Joplin, Mo.; Sacramento, Calif.; and Vero Beach, Fla., have all unveiled new tournament • There will no longer be a Challenger held during the week of logos for their events. Here’s a first look: Sept. 10. Tulsa, Okla., had been the host city for the week.

• The $10,000 Futures in Pensacola, Fla., will move to an earlier week at the end of the year. Pensacola’s new week is Oct. 29.

• Bluewater Bay Tennis Center in Niceville, Fla., now under Management, will return to the USTA Pro Circuit calendar to host a $10,000 Futures during the week of Nov. 5.

• Due to conflicts with its scheduled renovations, Amelia Island Plantation will not be able to host the men’s Futures during the week of Nov. 12.

• The IMG Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Bradenton, Fla., will replace Amelia Island on the calendar, hosting a $10,000 clay- court Futures during the week of Nov. 12.

Also, in the first half of the year the $10,000 Futures in Sunrise, Fla., hosted by the Sunrise Tennis Club, made its debut as the second clay-court event of the year. AROUND THE CIRCUIT page 7

USTA PRO CIRCUIT TOURNAMENT NEWS —MEN

CHARITIES SHARE TA LLAH ASS EE GIVES B A CK It was a busy tournament for the Tallahassee Challenger, which held a THE SPOTLIGHT AT 2012 Special Olympics Tennis Carnival for Leon County-area children with intel- lectual disabilities during this year’s event and also hosted a 10 and Under Tennis festival. The Sarasota Open, the $100,000 clay-court Challenger held in April, was the site of great The Special Olympics event tennis again in 2012. But this year tennis shared drew 270 Special Olympians the spotlight with a series of local charities that and their caregivers to the were showcased throughout the event. $50,000 men’s tournament. The event was organized by The Warren Backpack Foundation got a big boost the tournament in conjunc- on Sunday when Madisyn Mays, the reigning USA tion with the USTA Pro National Miss Florida Pre-Teen, made an appear- Circuit, USTA Florida and ance in support of the organization, promoting its the city of Tallahassee Parks efforts to enrich the lives of local youth in need. and Recreation Department, The foundation, which has its roots in Sarasota, making it a total team effort: USTA Florida Executive Director Doug Booth assists last year served more than 98,000 meals to more The tournament provided at the Special Olympics Tennis Carnival in Tallahassee. than 600 area children. equipment and lunch; USTA Florida paid for buses to shuttle the children from their schools; and ice Also benefitting from its allegiance with the cream was donated by Blue Bell Ice Cream. Sarasota Open was The Panda Foundation, based in Bradenton, which has a mission to help change In addition, Tallahassee Parks & Rec set up a shaded area for half of the lives of at-risk children ages 6 to 10 and to help the kids to eat lunch, and Melba Jacobs, Adapted Physical Education facilitate their journey into productive adulthood. Resource Teacher for Leon County Schools, found the children to attend, The foundation’s mascot, Destiny the Panda, distributed T-shirts and ordered the buses. Finally, Kelly Tucker, the tour- visited the Sarasota Open during the week and nament’s special events chair, and Kelly Hetherington organized the event the foundation set up a booth with information and recruited the 60 volunteers on hand to help out. about its services.

Also, for the fifth consecutive year, the Tallahassee Challenger brought And finally, Taking Back Lives was again in second grade classes from four local elementary schools to the attendance. As an organization that combines the Forestmeadows Tennis Complex to learn and play 10 and Under Tennis. compassion and ingenuity of our country’s youth The tournament also donated $400 in 10 and Under Tennis equipment to to positively impact the world, both at home and each of the schools so that the children could play tennis in their physical in Malawi, Africa, the goal of the organization is to education classes. As with the Special Olympics event, USTA Florida provide educational opportunities for Malawians funded the transportation costs to and from the tournament, and the so they, in turn, can better their lives. During the event featured local volunteers as well as USTA Florida and USTA tournament, Taking Back Lives hosted a silent and national staff. an online auction and provided informational materials.

Madisyn Mays with The $15,000 Futures (left) and Brian Baker in Harlingen, Texas, held an exhibition and a wheelchair clinic during this year’s event to benefit the Miracle Kids of South Texas, a charity working with mentally and physically challenged children. In addition, the event invited kids from local schools to attend the week’s matches. AROUND THE CIRCUIT page 8

USTA PRO CIRCUIT TOURNAMENT NEWS —MEN

PLAYERS TAKE TIME TO VISIT WITH SUPPORTS

KIDS DURING HONOLULU CHALLENGER ADOPT-A-UNIT EFFORT

The players competing at the Honolulu Challenger in was one of the many players January took some time away from the courts to visit who took part in Military Appreciation Day, part the Kailua Boys and Girls Clubhouse, promoting the of the USTA’s Adopt-a-Unit effort, during the game and sharing their experiences on tour. Honolulu Challenger in January.

The players in attendance included former USTA Now in its second year partnering with the White Boys’ 18s champion Michael McClune, Taiwan team member House’s Joining Forces campaign, the USTA Hsin Han Lee and ’s Bumpei Sato. The players engaged in a Q&A with Military Outreach effort aims to provide tennis the kids, shared their warm-up rituals and conducted an exhibition on the programming and resources to military service adjacent basketball court. Coach Peter Dungca, who teaches at numerous members, veterans, and their families across the parks within the USTA Hawaii Pacific Section, facilitated a 10 and country. Under Tennis clinic and gave Adopt-a-Unit efforts were also held last year each child an at USTA Pro Circuit events in Tallahassee, Fla., opportunity Raleigh, N.C., and Mansfield, Texas. to rally with the pros. Robby Ginepri The kids also attended the event, held at The Kailua Racquet Club, to watch the matches on Wednesday.

PALM COAST COURTS FANS AT THE TRACK

The Palm Coast Futures in Florida made a bold new play for fans this year, advertising its event at the Daytona 500. (Daytona Beach, Fla., is located just 30 miles south of Palm Coast.)The tournament also acquired two new sponsors in its title sponsor, The Daytona Beach News Journal, and primary sponsor, Bright House Networks. Both of these media companies are deeply rooted with the Daytona Speedway and are sponsors of the Rolex 24-hour race that takes place Jan. 26-29, or one day before the start of the Futures event. AROUND THE CIRCUIT page 9

USTA PRO CIRCUIT TOURNAMENT NEWS —MEN

VERO BEACH LAUNCHES USTA WEBSTREAMING RETURNS TO

PRO CIRCUIT’S FIRST APP DALLAS CHALLENGER IN 2012

The Futures in Vero Beach, Fla., The Dallas Challenger continued its tradition of streaming held in April, launched the first matches live during its event, with links provided by the known app on the USTA Pro Circuit. vendors’ website as well as on the tournament website and The app allowed fans and USTA.com. In all, tournament action was streamed more than participants to follow the event 130,000 times and was viewed by fans from 153 countries. with photos, tournament information, draws, schedules In addition, Dallas featured a serve speed radar display, and more. It was also used to which proved a big hit with fans during and outside matches, sell tickets. when fans were allowed to test their own speed serves.

LIVE SCORING NOW REQUIRED AT ALL CHALLENGERS

The distribution of live scores is now required at all Challenger- level events, enabling fans to better keep up on the latest USTA Pro Circuit results from Challengers around the country. Live scores are available USTA PRO CIRCUIT EN ESPANOL on the left toolbar on USTA.com. The Tour De Paul Pro Tennis event in Little Rock, Ark., which features the longest- running event on the USTA Pro Circuit— a $15,000 Futures in April, which cele- brated its 32nd year in 2012—translated the 30-second public service announcement distributed by the USTA Pro Circuit into Spanish for distribution during its event. AROUND THE CIRCUIT page 10 USTA PRO CIRCUIT SPONSORSHIP NEWS

SACRAMENTO SPONSOR A LEADER IN DIVERSE BUSINESS

Sponsors of USTA Pro Circuit events come from companies big FSP is a freight-forwarding company that has worked with Dell, and small, old and new, and for the $50,000 USTA Pro Circuit IBM and Panasonic. women’s event in Sacramento, Calif., from one of the leading minority-owned and run businesses in the country. Freight The USTA Pro Circuit values partnerships forged at the local level Solution Providers is the title sponsor of the FSP Gold River that also reflect USTA initiatives to leverage diversity and inclusion, Women’s Challenger. The Sacramento-based company was to “grow the game of tennis” and to make all aspects of the founded by CEO Lielanie Steers, an avid tennis player who has sport representative of American diversity. been featured in DiversityBusiness.com magazine, among others.

Lielanie Steers (center) is the tournament title sponsor of the $50,000 Sacramento women’s event.

BASE BALL IS A GAM FOR T E OF NUMBER HE ORIOLES IN S. BASEBALL BACKS TENNIS AS THE ORIOLES SARASOTA... SUPPORT THE SARASOTA CHALLENGER IT’S 365. In an unusual collaboration between baseball and tennis, the Baltimore Orioles served as a presenting sponsor for the 2012 Sarasota Challenger in Sarasota, Fla., the spring training home of the Major League Baseball team. As part of the sponsorship, the Orioles hosted a grand celebration at their newly built complex in Sarasota, Ed Smith Stadium.

The proceeds from the event hosted by the The B altimore Orio a les’ presence nd Spring Tr in Sarasota aining. Our p County goes activities, hilanthropic well beyond charitable c OriolesREAC baseball Orioles allowed the Sarasota Open charity Taking main auses and c H initiatives e tain two top-fl ivic priorities mbrace yout ight, multi-use year-round. h local staff liv sports faciliti We manage es and works es for shared and -- there’s here full time hometown use much more to . Thanks for th s. And our come from yo e warm welco Back Lives to build a new orphanage in Malawi, ur Baltimore me, Sarasota Orioles and O riolesREACH. Africa, this summer for more than 100 girls under the age of 18. Both the Orioles and the Sarasota Open are looking forward to an even greater collaboration in 2013. AROUND THE CIRCUIT page 11 USTA PRO CIRCUIT SPONSORSHIP NEWS

SPONSORS NEW AND OLD BOLSTER MEN’S EVENTS IN 2012

YP (the new Yellow Pages) re-upped as the title sponsor for the Dallas Challenger in 2012, while two new sponsors came on board to solidify two Florida events, with the design firm Robrady joining up with Sarasota, Fla., and Dale Sorensen Real Estate backing the event in Vero Beach, Fla. In addition, American Savings Bank signed on to sponsor the Honolulu Challenger.

WELCOME NEW WOMEN’S SPONSORS

The USTA Pro Circuit would like to thank the following new sponsors of women’s events for 2012 in Denver; New Orleans; Fort Worth, Texas; and Williamsburg, Va. AROUND THE CIRCUIT page 12

USTA PRO CIRCUIT PLAYER NEWS

BRIAN BAKER, THE USTA PRO CIRCUIT AND A RISE UP THE RANKINGS

Pittsburgh Futures: July 2011 – Baker makes his return to professional tennis after a four-year absence following multiple hip surgeries and elbow surgery, entering the qualifying at the USTA Pro Circuit Futures in Pittsburgh. Baker wins three matches in qualifying and five in the main draw to take the tournament title without dropping a set. Later that month he enters the ATP World Tour rankings at No. 752.

Knoxville Challenger: November 2011 – Baker qualifies and advances to the final at the in his home state of , improving his : April 2012 – Baker qualifies and takes ranking to No. 460. the title at the Savannah Challenger for his first Challenger title of his comeback. The victory also propels Baker into the Top 300 and helps him secure the USTA wild card (see page 1 for more) into the 2012 French Open.

Nice, : May 2012 – Baker qualifies for the ATP event in Nice, France, and advances to the final, posting wins Weston Futures: over Gael Monfils and and rising to a January 2012 – Baker wins career-best No. 141. his second USTA Pro Circuit tournament title of his come- back, taking the title at the French Open: May/June 2012 – Futures in Weston, Fla., to In his first main draw crack the Top 400. since the 2005 US Open, Baker defeats at the French Open before falling to No. 11 seed in five sets.

Wimbledon: June/July 2012 – Baker backs up his showing at Roland Garros by qualifying for Wimbledon, where he advances to the fourth round at Wimbledon to break into the Top 80.

Costa Mesa Futures: March 2012 – Baker adds a third Futures crown in less s e g

than a year, winning the a m I

y t t

Futures in Costa Mesa, Calif., e G / m a

without dropping a set. h l i G

l u a P AROUND THE CIRCUIT page 13

USTA PRO CIRCUIT PLAYER NEWS

GRACE MIN STAGES PRO BREAKTHROUGH ON THE USTA PRO CIRCUIT

$25,000 Clearwater: March 2012 – Min wins three three-set matches to advance to the final in Clearwater, Fla., to boost her ranking from No. 281 to No. 257. s e g a m I

y t t e G / l l i k s n u r B

e v i l C US Open Junior Championships: September 2011 – Min, the reigning Wimbledon girls’ doubles champion, knocks off the top two seeds to win the US Open girls’ singles title without drop- ping a set. With the victory, she improves to No. 4 in the world junior rankings.

$50,000 Troy: October 2011 – Min wins three matches to qual- $50,000 Indian Harbour Beach: April/May 2012 – ify for the USTA Pro Circuit event in Troy, Ala., and advances to Min captures the biggest prize of her young professional career, the quarterfinals to break into the Top 500 in the world. knocking off Top 100 player en route to the title at the event in Indian Harbour Beach, Fla., to climb toward the Top 200. $75,000 Phoenix: November 2011 – Buoyed by a runner-up finish at the $25,000 event in Rock Hill, S.C., Min qualifies and advances to the quarterfinals in Phoenix to move into the Top $25,000 Raleigh: May 2012 – One week after her victory in 400, a jump of more than 250 places from Indian Harbour Beach, Min adds a second consecutive title— five months prior. and third of the year—in Raleigh, N.C. The victory vaults Min into the Top 200 and makes her the first player to sweep these two titles back-to-back since Melanie Oudin in 2009, just months before Oudin reached the fourth round at Wimbledon and the quarterfinals at the US Open.

Birmingham, England: June 2012 – Min wins two matches to qualify for the WTA event in Birmingham, her first WTA main draw of the year. By qualifying, she bumps her ranking up to a career-best No. 177, which gains her direct entry into the Wimbledon qualifying draw.

$25,000 Innisbrook: January 2012 – s e g Min gets her first full season playing professional events off to a m I

y t t a rousing start by qualifying and winning the clay-court event in e G / r e g u

Innisbrook, Fla. In the process, she lifts her ranking from No. 352 r K

n a entering the tournament into the Top 300. J AROUND THE CIRCUIT page 14

USTA PRO CIRCUIT PLAYER NEWS

BACK ON TRACK, OUDIN WINS M elanie Oudin THE FIRST WTA TITLE OF HER CAREER IN BIRMINGHAM

In a run that harkened back to her magical 2009 season, Melanie Oudin in June claimed the first WTA title of her career by defeating Jelena Jankovic in the final of the AEGON Classic in Birmingham, England. The victory also earned Oudin a wild card into the 2012 Wimbledon main draw.

In 2009, Oudin excelled during the USTA Pro Circuit’s clay-court swing, winning the events in Raleigh, N.C., and Indian Harbour Beach, Fla., before heading on to fame with a strong result on grass courts that included a victory over Jankovic en route to the fourth round at Wimbledon. That served as a precursor to her magical run to the US Open quarterfinals.

This year, after a rocky 2011 that saw her ranking plummet out of the Top 300, Oudin again excelled during the USTA Pro Circuit’s clay-court swing, winning the $50,000 event in Charlottesville, Va., on her way to earning the USTA wild card into the French Open. She followed her second-round run in Paris by claiming the title in Birmingham, and she now has her sights set on a successful hard-court run this summer.

LEPCHENKO, STEPHENS ADVANCE TO SECOND WEEK AT FRENCH OPEN

The USTA Pro Circuit was well-represented at the 2012 French Open, with unseeded Ameri- cans and Sloane Stephens advancing to the second week. Lepchenko upset former world No. 1 Jelena Jankovic in the second round and champion and 2011 runner-up in the third round before falling to No. 4 Petra Kvitova in the round of 16, while Stephens toppled fellow American Bethanie Mattek-Sands before falling to the reigning US Open champion , 7-5, 6-4, in the fourth round. Varvara Lepchenko, 26, is a longtime stalwart of the Lepchenko USTA Pro Circuit. A native of , she faced travel restrictions while awaiting her U.S. citizenship (achieved last year) and thus spent a lot of time in the states. In all, she has a v reached 20 singles finals on the USTA Pro l A

r e b

Circuit, winning 11 titles, which was tied for m A third all-time entering 2012.

Stephens, 19, won the doubles title at the $10,000 event in Wichita, Kan., with fellow up-and-comer Christina McHale in 2008, and in 2010 she reached the singles quarterfinals at the $75,000 event in Albuquerque, N.M., and the $25,000 event in Bayamon, P.R. AROUND THE CIRCUIT page 15

USTA PRO CIRCUIT PLAYER NEWS

YOUNG STARS LAUNCH

THEIR CAREERS ON THE USTA PRO CIRCUIT

Three young standouts from the USTA Training Center-East based at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing, N.Y., launched their professional careers this May, competing at the $10,000 event in Landisville, Pa., under the watchful eyes of their USTA coaches.

Denise Starr, Rima Asatrian and Louisa Chirico all train in Flushing as part of the USTA Player Development program, developing their games and training along- side top pros including 2009 US Open quarterfinalist Melanie Oudin, current No. 2 American woman Christina McHale and Varvara Lepchenko, who L to R: Rima Asatrian, Louisa Chirico advanced to the fourth round at the French Open. and Denise Starr

For 16-year-olds Asatrian and Chirico, Landisville marked their first pro tournament after competing exclusively on the junior tour. Starr, 17, had prior experience, reaching the semifinals at the $10,000 event in Bethany Beach, Del., in 2011.

Starr had the most success in Landisville, winning three matches to qualify and then two more to advance to the quarterfinals of the main draw. She and Chirico also teamed to qualify in doubles, advancing to the quarterfinals of the main draw.

Chirico made the most of her experience in Landisville, where she qualified and reached the round of 16. In her next event, at the $10,000 tournament in Sumter, S.C., she won four matches to qualify and then five more in the main draw to claim her first professional singles title in only her second event.

Asatrian won her first matches in qualifying at both Landisville and Sumter before falling in the second round.

SANDGREN LEADS YOUNG GUNS ON MEN’S USTA PRO CIRCUIT

Tennys Sandgren turned pro last Palm Coast, Fla., and the Tennys Sangren, second from right, won the singles title summer after a successful two- in Little Rock in April. quarterfinals oTf atyhleo rS Taovwannseanhd year stint at the University of Challenger earlier this year to Tennessee and promptly break into the Top 300. And secured back-to-back Futures Jack Sock, 19, the 2010 US titles to jump more than 800 Open boys’ singles champion spots in the world rankings to and 2011 US Open mixed No. 538 at year’s end. The doubles champion (with Melanie Tennessee native has continued Oudin), got off to a stellar start that ascent in 2012, adding to the year—a victory in the three more singles and three opening Futures of the year, in doubles titles on the USTA Pro Plantation, Fla., and a quarterfi- Circuit. The six total titles are nal showing at the Honolulu the most on the men’s side Challenger—before an injury through the first half of the year. set him back. His ranking improved to No. 266 at the beginning of July. All three, plus 19-year-old USTA Pro Circuit and Top 200 player Sandgren, who turns 21 in July, , now have their

has company in his rise. His fellow All-American at Tennessee, sights set on the 2012 US Open, with many stops on the hard e m a , 21, reached the singles final at the Futures in courts of the USTA Pro Circuit to prepare in advance. N