Press Releases
Second Harvest Day at the Challenger tomorrow!
Tuesday is America’s Second Harvest Day at the Challenger and we are asking the audience to bring canned food or cash donations. To make this day even better, we are having $2 beer and wine at the food court after 4pm – just in time for Mardy Fish’s match against Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo.
NEWS RELEASE
April 21, 2013
Olympic Medalist Advances at Savannah Challenger
SAVANNAH, Ga. – Two time Olympic gold medalist Nicholas Massu of Chile survived a second set tie-breaker to win in straight sets over Michael Venus of New Zealand 6-4, 7-6 (4) in the second round of qualifying play at the Savannah Challenger.
This victory sets up a final qualifying meeting tomorrow with Armstrong favorite Georgi Rumanov, who advanced over Kyle Edmund of New Zealand 6-4, 6-2. Main draw action kicks off at 10 am with seeds Rhyne Williams (5), Jack Sock (6) and Tim Smyczek (8) featured in first day matches. All match times are available on the website www.SavannahChallenger.com.
The 2013 Savannah Challenger is a USTA Pro Circuit Event. All special activities and matches are open to the public. For news, schedules and draws or general information, please visit www.savannahchallenger.com. The Landings Club on Skidaway Island is a private membership club. For more information, call (912) 598-8050 or visit www.landingsclub.com.
NEWS RELEASE
April 20, 2013
Contact:
Scott Mitchell; Director of Tennis
(912) 598-3501;
Scott.Mitchell@landingsclub.com
Armstrong Players Advance in Savannah Challenger
SAVANNAH, Ga. – Number one nationally ranked singles player Georgi Rumenov from AASU came from behind for victory over American Greg Ouellette in the first round of qualifying at the Savannah Challenger 6-7, 6-1, 6-3. Rumenov’s doubles partner Daniel Regan outlasted AASU teammate Sven Lalic in a close 6-3, 6-3 match.
“I hadn’t played on clay since last year,” said Rumenov, “ but I love playing out here.” Tournament Director Scott Mitchell announced the awarding of a wild card doubles entry to the duo of Rumenov and Regan, currently nationally ranked first in Division II doubles. Doubles action is expected to begin Tuesday.
Two-time Olympic gold medalist and former world number 7, Nicholas Massu of Chile advanced in straight sets over American Michael McClune 6-2, 6- 3.
Live scoring from the Savannah Challenger is available on its website at www.SavannahChallenger.com. The 2013 Savannah Challenger is a USTA Pro Circuit Event. All special activities and matches are open to the public. For news, schedules and draws or general information, please visit www.savannahchallenger.com. The Landings Club on Skidaway Island is a private membership club. For more information, call (912) 598-8050 or visit www.landingsclub.com.
Savannah Media NotesSavannah Challenger announces Har-Tru Sponsorship
SAVANNAH, Ga. – The Landings Club is excited to announce that Har Tru, the nation’s leading clay court tennis contractor, will serve as sponsor for the USTA Pro Circuit event. The tournament, which will feature 32 world-ranked tennis professionals, will take place April 20-28 at The Landings Club on Skidaway Island and is open to the public.
The Savannah Challenger, a part of the USTA Pro Circuit, will now be an event on the Har-Tru USTA Pro Circuit challenge, which also features challengers in Tallahassee, Florida and Sarasota, Florida. The American player who accumulates the most points in the Har-Tru USTA Pro Circuit challenge tournaments will be rewarded with a wild card into the main draw of the 2013 French Open.
Mardy Fish to participate in this year’s Savannah Challenger!
After focusing on his off court training and playing with new-found confidence, a streamlined Mardy Fish enjoyed a breakthrough year in 2010. Winning a career-best 11 straight matches, Fish compiled a 28-5 record after Roland Garros, including making the finals of Queens Club and then taking back-to-back titles at Newport and Atlanta. At Cincinnati, Fish advanced to the finals after claiming upsets over Fernando Verdasco, Andy Murray and compatriot Andy Roddick, his former Boca Raton Prep high school housemate. With modest success at the majors, Fish has made it to Grand Slam quarterfinals three times, at the 2007 Australian Open, the 2008 U.S. Open and the 2011 Wimbledon. In 2011, Fish opened the year advancing to the semifinals in three of his first six tournaments. He opened the American summer hard-court season winning 11 of 13 matches, beating John Isner to win Atlanta, losing to Ernests Gulbis in the L.A. final and falling to Novak Djokovic in the Montreal Masters final. Fish qualified for the season-ending ATP World Tour finals for the first time and finished 2011 as the highest-ranked American man at No. 8. In 2004, Fish earned the Silver medal at the Athens Olympics. In 2008, Fish married Stacey Gardner, a suitcase-holding model on the game show Deal or No Deal.
Mark Oljaca Wins $50,000 Savannah Challenger Wildcard Tournament
SAVANNAH, Ga. – Mark Oljaca of Bradenten, Florida won the $50,000 Savannah Challenger Wildcard Tournament over Nicholas Kunz of Hilton Head, South Carolina. In a solid three set match, the scores were 2-6, 6-1, 6-2. Oljaca earned a wildcard entry into the qualifying draw for the $50,000 Savannah Challenger benefitting America’s Second Harvest, which begins April 20 at Franklin Creek Tennis Center.
“I have been training hard for this tournament and was ready to play a lot of matches” said Oljaca. “I am really looking forward to coming back in April.” Oljaca played for the University of South Florida, before turning professional in 2010.
The $50,000 Savannah Challenger is a USTA Pro Circuit event. For more information, visit www.savannahchallenger.com. The Landings Club on Skidaway Island is a private membership club. For more information, call (912) 598-8050 or visit www.landingsclub.com.