|
|
|
 News from Around Banderas Bay | May 2008 
Futures 8 Professional Tennis Tournament at Canto Del Sol May 19-25
 Bob Cohen - PVNN
| | Juan Manuel Elizondo, a favorite of fans in Puerto Vallarta and winner of the Copa Pacifico will be competing for the Championship. | | |
Update: Friday, May 23rd - After a two day qualifying that took the 48 players to the 8 that won their matches to reach the main draw, which completed the tournament field of 32, play has reached the semifinals.
The semifinals will be played today at 3:00 PM and the other semifinal following at 5:00 PM. The survivors in the well played tournament are all seeded players and will feature players from four different countries.
Top seed Luigi D'Agord of Italy who won 6-1, 6-4 yesterday will face Austria's 3rd seeded M. Matosevic who won yesterday 6-3, 6-3 over popular Juan Manuel Elizondo.
The other semifinal will have 2nd seed Miguel Gallardo-Valles of Mexico who won yesterday 6-1, 5-7, 6-1 against 5th seed Nima Roshan from the United States. Roshan won a tough match over Jonathon Kinsella of Great Britian yesterday in to tiebreaks 7-6, 7-6.
Following the semifinal singles matched will be the doubles final, expected to be played at 7:00 PM. The singles final will be played Saturday, but the time is not yet set, but expected to be 3:00 PM. Check back with BanderasNews for the semifinal update.
The Canto Del Sol Resort and Tennis Club will be host to the largest professional tennis tournament held in Puerto Vallarta in a number of years. The event is the ITF (International Federation of Tennis) F8 Futures - Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco. The total purse is $10,000 USD and will draw not only Mexican professionals, but players from the United States, Italy, Austria, France, New Zealand, Venezuela, Canada, Guatemala and Peru are confirmed entrants in the main draw of 32. The tournament will be played on the hard court surface.
Qualifying slots are also available and 8 players out of a possible 64 will begin play on May 17th and concluding May 19th to battle just to get into the tournament. The qualifying players will include many of our local Puerto Vallarta professionals. If there are 64 players in the two day qualification, it will take three (3) consecutive victories over the grueling two day span to reach the main draw. There should however be closer to 32 qualifying players.
Already confirmed from Mexico in the main draw are Miguel Gallardo-Valles, Daniel Garza and the popular Juan Manuel Elizondo, who is no stranger to Puerto Vallarta tournaments. Elizondo won the Copa Canto Del Sol the last time he played here and was a finalist the previous three tournaments. There is also a list of 20 alternates, so the competition promises to be intense and tennis fans will be treated to superb play.
Also included in the tournament is a doubles component of 16 teams, which means that play will begin early in the morning and conclude late in the evening. As players reach the quarterfinals, the schedule will be less grueling with only the best reaching that point.
The tournament director will be Martin Parra, the director of the Canto Del Sol Tennis Club. For information, one can call locally (322) 226-0123 ext. 4187. The public is invited and there is no charge for spectators. Come out and enjoy the competition! |
| |
|
Vallarta Weddings
Tell a Friend
Site Map
Print this Page
Email Us