Black Tennis Pros

American Taylor Townsend, Day 6 of 2019 Oracle Challenger Series-Houston.

On Friday, November 15th, the 2019 Oracle Challenger Series returned to action on the courts of the George R. Brown Tennis Center at Rice University in Houston, Texas.  The rain and cold weather that began to take shape on Wednesday afternoon, came in full force on Thursday causing the shutdown of all court activity, leading into a very match laden Friday.  The schedule had all third-round winners playing two singles matches – and some even had to play a third match of doubles.

One of the first matches of the day was contested by two Americans, No. 2 seeded Taylor Townsend and 14th seed Caroline Dolehide.  While the weather was still a bit cold, Dolehide hit the court very competitively and took the first set.  In the second and third sets Townsend met, then superseded Dolehide's game, taking the match 5-7, 6-2, 6-3.

One court over, American Sekou Bangoura was up against the towering Croatian Ivo Karlovic. Bangoura has displayed very impressive athleticism and strategy throughout the tournament, and while he continued his gameplay, even taking the second set, Karlovic's powerful tree line serve alone wreaks havoc on most of his opponents, as it did Bangoura. Karlovic took the match 7-6, 2-6, 6-4

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American Taylor Townsend in Round 2 of 2019 Oracle Challenger Series-Houston.

The 2019 Oracle Challenger Series-Houston has met its own challenges with an unusually cold weather factor that has caused significant match suspensions and delays, but it hasn't prevented players from bringing their best efforts when they've been able to hit the courts.

On Wednesday, clad in warm attire, No. 2 seed American Taylor Townsend defeated Anna Danilina of Kazakhstan 6-2, 6-4.  Townsend continued her very strategic gameplay that entails a net game not commonly seen, at least not the way it's brought by Townsend.  This is the first event she's played since her ultra fab run at the 2019 U.S. Open where she reached the round of 16. 

On Thursday morning Townsend is scheduled to play fellow American Caroline Dolehide.

Unable to overcome their opponents, tenth seed Donald Young was defeated by qualifier Alexis Galarneau 6-3, 3-6, 0-6, ninth seed Whitney Osuigwe was taken out by Hungarian Dalma Galfi 5-7, 6-2, 2-6, and Mari Osaka of Japan was greatly dominated by sixth seed American Catherine McNally 2-6, 0-6.

American Donald Young

American Whitney Osuigwe

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American Sekou Bangoura into Oracle Challenger Series Round of 16

Severe cold and windy weather in  Houston, Texas added to the challenges that players faced in the 2019 Oracle Challenger Series on Tuesday.  Nonetheless, the players braved the weather and completed matches that were suspended on Monday, as well as those scheduled for today on the courts of the George R. Brown Tennis Center at Rice University.

WOMEN'S SINGLES

Sachia Vickery, USA[15]   def. by   [WC]CoCo Vandeweghe, USA   5-7, 3-6

Hailey Baptiste, USA   def. by   Kirsten Flipkens, BEL   6-3, 3-6, 6(4)-7


MEN'S SINGLES

Sekou Bangoura, USA[16]   def.   Peter Heller, GER   0-6, 6-4, 6-2

Darian King, BAR[7]   def. by   Gonzalo Escobar, ECU   6(3)-7, 5-7

[Q] Olukayode Alafia Damina Ayeni,USA   def. by   Flip Cristian Jianu, ROU   4-6, 2-6

American Sachia Vickery

American Olukayode Alafia Damina Ayeni

American Hailey Baptiste

Barbadien Darian King

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American Hailey Baptiste, Day 2 of 2019 Oracle Challenger Series, Houston, Texas.

Though the weather on the campus of Rice University in Houston, Texas was mildly warm, cloudy and overcast, it did not prevent exciting player action on the courts of the George R. Brown Tennis Center on Day Two of the 2019 Oracle Challenger Series.  Though some of the matches were suspended due to the serious weather issues that presented colder temperatures, rain and wind in the late afternoon, those matches that were completed provided impressive play, and brought out generous fan support. Two of those matches were played by Americans Hailey Baptiste and Evan King.

Hailey was able to defeat Bulgarian Elitsa Kostova 6-2, 6-4 and advance to the second round where she will meet Kirsten Flipkens of Belgium.

               Sherry Dishman, Hailey's Mom

Evan King

Americans Evan King and Raymond Sarmiento filled the seats on Court No. 1 with a match that drew lots of energy and excitement from the stands during the two plus hours of play.  Both players clearly wanted to see second round action, although it was Sarmiento that managed to claim the victory and defeat King 4-6, 6-4, 7-5.

Suffice it to say, the defeat lay strictly on the court, the two young men are good friends.  Sarmiento, who played collegiately at the University of Southern California, and King, who played at the University of Michigan, displayed their camaraderie at the net at the end of the match with an embrace.

“I’ve known Evan for years now,” said Sarmiento. “We’ve grown up together and we’re good buds. So, it’s tough playing a good friend on tour, but it was also one of the most fun matches I’ve ever had. Unfortunately, one of us had to lose.”

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Leeds Mercury. June 25, 1924. pic.twitter.com/pV4rSanIml

— Hyder Jawád (@HyderJawad) October 22, 2019

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American Serena Williams into 2019 U.S. Open to vie for 24th Grand Slam title.

What can you say??...  There's nothing new here.  American Serena Williams holds 23 Grand Slam titles, she just earned her 100th match victory at this event, and to top all of that, she's now a wife and a mother. #ThisMama  The elements of the journey that she is on are only satisfied when she achieves her best in all aspects.

On Day 10 of the 2019 U.S. Open, in the semi-final 6-3, 6-1 defeat of Ukrainian Elina Svitolina, Serena made her efforts look so common.  Elina Svitolina certainly made an attempt to overcome the strategies coming across that net, but her efforts were to no avail.

Watching Serena play in this year's Open you can practically see a return to the mental calm, focus and determination that had previously been frustrated by injuries and losses.  Tonight's win over Svitolina did one thing, open another door to a place where Serena enjoys excellence - a grand slam final.

"I don't think about it, I just come out here and, you know, do what I can."

"I couldn't have done it without this crowd, you guys are... literally.  Been with me for twenty years and I'm still here, so."

"Yeah, you know, I ahh, this is the biggest stadium for tennis period, in the whole planet, so... I, I think of it that way.  And if you think about it that way, it's such an honor for me and my opponent to be out here and play in front of these crowds. They come to watch us, and like, it's amazing. And so, I really enjoy it.  I enjoy the opportunity to be out here, and you know, just to do my best."

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FLUSHING, N.Y., September 5, 2019 – World No. 1 and 2018 US Open champion Naomi Osaka and 2019 US Open quarterfinalist Diego Schwartzman were awarded the women’s and men’s 2019 US Open Sportsmanship Award, respectively, on Thursday. The award is presented to the professional tennis players who best demonstrate excellence in sportsmanship throughout the US Open Series and the US Open.

"Naomi and Diego are both tremendous competitors and athletes, but at this year's US Open, and throughout the entire summer, they have demonstrated a level of sportsmanship that is even more impressive than their play on the court," said Todd Martin, co-chair of the US Open Sportsmanship Award Selection Committee.  "We are incredibly pleased to present them with this year's US Open Sportsmanship Awards, and thank them for being true role models and inspirations for all those that play the game."

Eligibility requirements for winners include participating in at least two Series tournaments, as well as the 2019 US Open. Each US Open Sportsmanship Award winner receives a trophy and a $5,000 donation to the charity of his or her choice.

The USTA started a Sportsmanship Committee in 2011. Its charge is to “educate and inspire youngsters and their parents to develop and exhibit a high degree of sportsmanship and an attitude of fair play and mutual respect on and off the tennis court. Underlying the charge is the ethical imperative that fairness is more important than winning.”

The USTA Sportsmanship Award Selection Committee is comprised of USTA representatives, former players and journalists, including Co-Chairs Todd Martin and Lars Rosene, Jon Vegosen, Mary Carillo, Mary Joe Fernandez, Chanda Rubin, Joel Drucker, Steve Flink and Matt Cronin.

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That was quick!

On Day 9 in the quarterfinal round of 2019 U.S. Open, Serena Williams summarily dismissed Qiang Wang of China in 44 minutes, to the tune of 6-1, 6-0.  Ouch!

Wang clearly had a clinic run on her, however, it appears that she could use some additional weapons in
her game.  Her ability to defend Serena's tremendously offensive game was unfortunately very inept.  Given Wang's recent record, perhaps nerves or something got the better of her this evening.

This quarterfinal match acquired so much more than a spot in the semifinals against Ukrainian Elina Svitolina.  In front of a staggering crowd, celebrities and her family, Serena earned an incredible 100th match win at the U.S. Open.

"I love what I do, I love coming out in front with you guys. It's so special, I never want to let it go.

When asked if she felt like she should sing the Elton John song, "I'm Still Standing," Serena gave the interviewer a peculiar look, "Oh God, I thought you were going to ask me to sing. Listen, I'm not trying to lose fans, I'm trying to keep them on my side."

"Being American, and being able to play at your home grand slam is always interesting and fun. I grew up watching the U.S. Open and I grew up always wanting to get here and then I watched so many great champions come, and then Arthur Ashe Stadium opened and I played on it. It's like a dream come true, it's the first place I ever won one of my 23 grand slams, so it's always something special to come out on this court."

An interviewer stated, "As a parent, I've wondered if you have a new appreciation, or a deeper appreciation for what your father envisioned and the goals he set for you."

"Yeah, my Dad is amazing, personally I could never have done what he has done, not only with myself, but with Venus.  It's shocking, and as a parent, to do something every single day is very difficult, and, I can't do something with my daughter every single day.

"I remember being young, and everyday we went out and we trained and we practiced and we didn't miss a day, and to have that discipline actually makes me look at myself as a player, as a parent, and just really appreciate my dad so much more than I ever have in the past.  It just makes me see it totally different.  And, I love him to death, and he's watching all my matches, he's probably already texting me right now, like, you know Serena, you need to do this a little bit more', and I'm like okay dad I got this..."

"I'll see what he says today, but I always still take his advice. You know, he's my dad and I love him to death.

 

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