By Randy Walker
@TennisPublisher
Vasil Kirkov has gone from the courts of Vero Beach to the courts of the US Open.
The 17-year-old, who reached the semifinals as a lucky loser in the Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation Tennis Championships, competed in the qualifying rounds of the 2016 U.S. Open at the Billie Jean King USTA National Tennis Center.
Kirkov, however, suffered an early exit, falling 62 75 in the first scheduled match of the competition to Yannik Reuter of Belgium, ranked No. 242 in the world.
Kirkov, ranked No. 1146 in the world, played the match on Court No. 5 – the shadow of the new Arthur Ashe Stadium retractable roof – in front of an audience of about 200 people that included U.S. Olympic men’s tennis coach Jay Berger, former US Davis Cup Captain Tom Gullikson and Hallof Famer – and Vero Beach resident – Ivan Lendl, who works with Kirkov as part of his advisory role with the USTA Player Development program.
Kirkov was awarded a wild card entry into the U.S. Open qualifying tournament by the U.S. Tennis Association after, not only his strong result in Vero Beach, that saw his ATP ranking rise almost 1000 spots, but by reaching the final of the USTA National Boy’s 18 Championships in Kalamazoo, Mich., where he lost to another Vero Beach Futures alumnus Michael Mmoh.
Kirkov is expected to compete in the U.S. Open junior championships in two weeks.
Vasil Kirkov
Seventeen-Year-Olds Shapovalov, Kirkov Reach Mardy Fish Semifinals
In the span of 24 hours, Denis Shapovalov played two of the most dramatic matches at the Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation Tennis Championships.
The 17-year-old from Canada withstood the spirited challenge from qualifier Juan Benitez of Colombia Friday advancing into the semifinals at The Boulevard Tennis Club with a 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 win.
Against Benitez, Shapovalov took a 4-1 lead in the second set after dropping the first, but was not able to sustain his lead. He needed to grind out a service break in the 10th game of the second set, with Benitez showing signs of fatigue and cramping, to force the third set and stave off elimination.
“It was definitely massive,” said Shapovalov of breaking Benitez to close out the second set. “At that point I could already see that Juan was already starting to feel his calf a little bit. I knew that game was a very big turning point. I knew if he held serve there, it would have been very tough for me to win that set. I managed to hit a few big shots I played a very big point on break point and managed to win the set.”
Shapovalov cruised in the final set as Benitez suffered cramping in his legs and hands, playing the last three points left-handed as his right-hand cramped so badly that he could not hold the racquet.
“It was very courageous of him to finish the match,” said Shapovalov.
Thursday night, Shapovalov escaped in a third-set tiebreak, defeating another qualifier, Michael Zhu of Princeton, N.J., 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (1) to continue his impressive streak of success in pro tennis. Friday’s quarterfinal win for Shapovalov was his 13th singles win in his last 14 matches this month and his eighth in a row after winning the singles title last week in Orange Park, Fla., just outside Jacksonville. Since January, Shapovalov has won three “Futures” level minor league tournaments and has seen his ranking improve 678 spots to his current perch of No. 452.
In Saturday’s semifinals, Shapovalov will face Jonas Luetjen, a 25-year-old from Germany who was the last player directly accepted into the Vero Beach field. Leutjen defeated No. 2 seed Deiton Baughman of Carson, Calif., 6-3, 6-2 Friday.
Ranked No. 915 on the ATP World Tour computer, Luetjen was not originally a direct entry into the 32-player event, but slid into the field after a few players withdrew from the event, saving him from having to win four qualifying round matches just to enter the main draw of the tournament.
“Playing in the qualifying is brutal,” said Leutjen. “Even though you may win some of the matches easily, it drains you and hurts you in the main draw.”
After finishing his college career at the University of Mississippi in 2013, Luetjen played six months on the Futures and Challenger tour, before having cartigledge problems with his right knee that kept him off the courts for seven months. In early 2015, he then missed eight months of play due to a groin injury that required surgery. His pro career has taken as far as Iran and Sri Lanka in search of ATP points.
The other semifinal Saturday will feature Martins Podzus of Latvia against 17-year-old Vasil Kirkov of Tampa, Fla. Kirkov, who is a lucky-loser entry into the event after losing in the final-round of the qualifying tournament on Monday, defeated Ecuador Davis Cupper Roberto Quiroz 7-6 (5), 6-4. Kirkov has been a frequent visitor to Vero Beach training at The Windsor Club with Ivan Lendl, who is a coaching consultant for the USTA’s Player Development program.
Podzus defeated 18-year-old Chilean Juan Manuel Barrios Vera 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 in Friday’s first quarterfinal.
“It was very tough match,” said Podzus of his quarterfinal victory. “I was sad to lose the first set from being up 2-0, 40-0. It was disappointing. The second set was also tough. I was lucky that I won in the third set.”
Podzus was a quarterfinalist in Vero Beach in 2013 and now, in his second appearance at this event, has advanced at least one round better by reaching the semifinals. He is in Vero Beach with his twin brother Janis, whom he partnered with in the doubles competition, losing in the semifinals. Martins is right-handed while Janis is left-handed, drawing some comparisons to another set of twins, the Bryan twins, Bob and Mike Bryan, the all-time greatest doubles team in tennis history.
“We are twins but we don’t look the same like the Bryans,” said Podzus. “Our height is almost the same He’s lefty. I am righty. Our parents gave us racquets when we were two years old and said ‘Go guys. Let’s play some tennis.’ I didn’t know any other sport. Just tennis was all.”
Saturday’s singles semifinals start at 1 pm with the second semifinal to follow, to start not before 2 pm. Sunday singles and doubles finals begin at 11 am.
Friday’s Quarterfinal Results
Martins Podzus, Latvia d. Marcelo Tomas Barrios Vera, Chile 3-6, 6-2, 6-3
(LL) Vasil Kirkov, United States d. Roberto Qurioz, Ecuador 7-6(5), 6-4
(3) Denis Shapovalov, Canada d. (Q) Juan Manuel Benitez Chavarriaga, Colombia 3-6, 6-4, 6-1
Jonas Luetjen, Germany d. (2) Deiton Baughman, United States 6-3, 6-2
Saturday’s Schedule
Stadium (Starting at 1PM)
(3) Denis Shapovalov, Canada v. Jonas Luetjen, Germany
Not before 2PM
(LL) Vasil Kirkov, United States v. Martins Podzus, Latvia
Fans can follow news and developments on the tournament on Facebook and on Twitter at @VeroFutures and by going to the website www.TennisVeroBeach.com
Tournament match start times are as follows:
1 pm Saturday, April 30, Singles semifinals
11 am Sunday, May 1 (likely doubles championship match first, followed by singles championship match at 1 pm, depending on if a player is competing in both finals)
Starting in 2016, the Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation is the new operator of the $10,000 “Futures” tennis tournament in Vero Beach, one of the longest-running and best attended events on the U.S. Tennis Association Pro Circuit. The tournament, now called The Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation Tennis Championships, benefits the Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation, the non-profit tennis foundation benefiting children, named for Vero Beach native son Mardy Fish, a former top 10 tennis star, U.S. Davis Cup hero and silver medalist at the 2004 Olympic Games. The event was managed for 20 years by Vero Beach tennis teaching professional Mike Rahaley, who made the annual Vero Beach stop one of the crown jewels on the USTA Pro Circuit. The 2016 tournament will be held April 22 through May 1 at The Boulevard Tennis Club.
Founded in 2007, the Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation (www.MardyFishFoundation.com and @MardyFishFound on Twitter) currently supports over 2,100 children in 15 elementary schools and six middle schools in Indian River County, Florida by providing after-school exercise, nutritional and enrichment programs in a safe environment to prepare them for healthy, productive and successful lives. The Foundation introduced the “Six Healthy Habits” in 2012 which are Get Sleep; Drink Water; Exercise Daily, Eat Healthy; Brush and Floss; Make Friends.” Mardy Fish recently completed his ATP professional tennis career at the 2015 U.S. Open, highlighted by a career-high ranking of No. 7, six ATP singles titles, eight ATP doubles titles and an Olympic silver medal in singles at the 2004 Olympics. He reached the quarterfinals at the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open and was a mainstay on the U.S. Davis Cup team from 2002 to 2012.
Some of the past competitors in Vero Beach have gone on to succeed at the highest levels of professional tennis, winning major singles and doubles titles, Olympic medals and Davis Cup championships and earning No. 1 world rankings. Andy Roddick, the 2003 U.S. Open champion who attained the world No. 1 ranking and helped the United States win the Davis Cup in 2007 competed in Vero Beach in 1999. Thomas Johansson of Sweden, who reached the second round of the Vero Beach Futures in 1995, won the Australian Open seven years later in 2002. Nicolas Massu, the 1998 singles runner-up in Vero Beach, won the singles and doubles gold medals at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, beating Fish in the gold medal singles match. Kyle Edmund, the 2013 champion in Vero Beach, helped Great Britain to the Davis Cup title in 2015. Other notable former competitors in Vero Beach include former world No. 2 Magnus Norman, former world No. 4 Tim Henman, 2016 Australian Open semifinalist Milos Raonic among others. Former Vero Beach competitors have combined to win 19 titles in singles, doubles and mixed doubles at Grand Slam tournaments. Six former Vero Beach players have gone on to play Davis Cup for the United States – Roddick, Fish, Taylor Dent, Jared Palmer, Donald Young and Ryan Harrison.
Sponsors and supporters of the event are as follows:
Grand Slam Sponsors
SorensenRealEstate.com
Boston Barricade
Laser Spine Institute
George E. Warren Corp.
Indian River Medical Center
Syde Hurdus Foundation
PNC Bank
Backhand Sponsors
John’s Island Real Estate
Coastal Van Lines Storage
Indian River Press Journal / TCPalm.com
Barbara Ettinger
Dr. Larry Landsman
Dr. John Sarbak
Citrus Grillhouse
White Orchid Day Spa
Gene Simonsen
Michael & Kathleen Pierce
Center Court
Publix
Indian River Oxygen
Forehand Sponsors
Rosato Plastic Surgery Center
Kay C. Betancourt, DMD
Jeff & Rosanne Susi
Mello Financial
Jean Ueltschi
Sam & Susie Bell
Cravings
Sue Powell Rentals
William Barhorst
Peter Bernholz Family
Don & Linda Proctor
The Whole Person Project, Inc.
Ocean Drive Plastic Surgery
Ocean Drive Elite Physiques
Huryn Construction
Riverside Café
Barker Air Conditioning
Bill & Laurie Stewart
Steve McCloud / Wells Fargo Private Mortgage Banking
Coggin BMW of Ft. Pierce / Mercedes of Ft. Pierce
Twig Swim & Sportswear Shop
Osceola Bistro
Supporting Sponsors and Patrons
The Moorings Yacht & Country Club
New Leaf Designs
A Pampered Life / Disney Spa
Carpe Antiperspirant Hand Lotion
Robert Kowalczyk – Moorings Yacht & Country Club
Win Detergent
Calvetti & Company
NewChapterMedia.com
Steve Hardin – Twin Oaks Tennis Club
Aurelija Merrill – John’s Island Club
Carol Donnelly
Roy & Tish Wissel
Boast
Hutchinson’s Florist
Casey’s Restaurant
Chelsea’s Market
Tennis Resort at the ESPN Wide World of Sports at Disney
Sassy Boutique
Quail Valley Club
Bottle Shop
Busy Bee
Veranda
Avanzare
Maison Beach Gifts
Center for Advanced Eye Care
Diamond Resorts International
Monreal London
Rock City Gardens
Tina Simone Company
Pogues, Inc.
Kevin Healy, M.S., D.S.
Chiropractic Nutrition and Wellness
Treasure Coast Sports Commission
Saddlebrook Academy
Nailtiques
Sam Garcia – Quail Valley Club
Dr. Raymond Della Porta, D.M.D.
Yulin Day Spa
Pat Gorman – Bent Pine Golf Club
Frosting
Grind & Grape bar & grill
JMcLaughlin
Vero Beach Yoga Barre
Ken & Annette Krasnow
Indian River County School District
Body Network
Studio Gabriel
Quinn Hiaason
Tommy Falcone
Sandy Malone
Spring Hill Suites by Marriott
Vero Beach Inn & Suites
Seaside Grill
Swarovski Jewelry
Minuteman Press
Dr. Michele Maholtz
Jony Leitenbauer and Tom Fish – Windsor Club
Lucky Loser Lendl Apprentice Kirkov Continues Run At Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation Tennis Championships
The luck streak of Vasil Kirkov continued Thursday at the Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation Tennis Championships.
The 17-year-old American from Tampa, one of the apprentices of Vero Beach’s Ivan Lendl, advanced into the event’s quarterfinals when his opponent, Mexican Davis Cupper Daniel Garza, quit the match with a muscle strain in his left leg in the third set.
Kirkov’s 4-6, 6-4, 4-1, (ret.) match victory was highlighted by Garza’s frequent attempts to drop shot the young American. The Mexican, the 2011 tournament champion who lives in Vero Beach part time, would also go for outright winners in rallies, attempting to shorten points in the hot conditions.
“You don’t know what’s coming, you don’t get any rhythm,” said Kirkov of Garza’s eclectic style of tennis. “I just tried to play my game and execute my shots.”
Kirkov is only into the 32-player $10,000 USTA Pro Circuit “Futures” level due to the withdrawal of Alejandro Gomez of Colombia. Kirkov was placed into the draw as a “lucky loser” being randomly drawn among the players who lost in the final round of qualifying to replace Gomez. He made the most of his “lucky” opportunity in the first round on Tuesday defeating Alejandro Mendoza of Bolivia. His win over Garza places him his first-ever quarterfinal at a professional event.
In Friday’s night’s 6 pm featured match, Kirkov will face Roberto Quiroz of Ecuador, who defeated another 17-year-old Lendl apprentice Gianni Ross 6-7 (2), 6-4, 7-5 in two hours, 41 minutes.
Quiroz comes from a strong tennis pedigree as his uncle is long-time Top 10 player and 1990 French Open champion Andres Gomez. His cousin, Emilio Gomez, also plays on the tour and is ranked No. 308
Quiroz felt pressure as he dropped the first set in a tiebreak and had to come back from a set down after a spirited performance from Ross was too much to handle in the early goings. In the last two sets, though, Quiroz was in control as he only had to face one break point after facing nine in the first set. Ross appeared nervous and tentative in the final game as Quiroz broke his serve to close out the match.
Quiroz recently graduated from the University of Southern California – where he played alongside U.S. Davis Cup team member Steve Johnson for one season – and is still adjusting to life on the professional circuit.
“I haven’t been playing my best tennis in the last couple weeks,” said Quiroz, who is currently ranked No. 832, almost 350 places off his best ranking of No. 483. He said he sometimes leans on his uncle for help and inspiration.
“We’re always consulting him,” said Quiroz of Gomez. “To be able to have someone like him, it’s such a great asset for me…we’ve trained with him since we were little kids.”
Another winner on Thursday was the No. 2 seed Deiton Baughman of Carson, Calif. The 20-year old took out former world No. 46 Evgeny Korolev of Russia in a three-set battle 6-3, 5-7, 6-1.
A solid performance in the first set from Baughman made it difficult for Korolev to get into the match, but after a few games, the Russian began to make his presence felt on the court.
“When he’s hitting his shots, it’s dangerous, you can see why he was Top 50,” said Baughman of Korolev.
The powerful game of Korolev was on display throughout the second set as he was able to apply pressure on Baughman’s serve, especially at 5-5 in the second set.
“That’s just well played, too good,” said Baughman of Korolev’s returns in that game that gave him the break and eventually the set.
Korolev couldn’t keep that level of play up through the third set, and Baughman took full advantage.
“In the third set, I feel like he just got tired…I was just making him play,” said Baughman. The American’s level of fitness is something that he and his coach take pride in, and that allowed him to hold on for the win.
“I’ve watched him play before plenty of times when I was younger…it’s cool to play a guy who actually was at that level,” said Baughman in regards to Korolev being a former Top 50 player, “It’s cool for me to say hey, I was able to manage it…I played my game and played pretty well toward the end.”
Baughman is the top-seeded player remaining the tournament after No. 1 seed Gonzalo Escobar, also of Ecuador, was defeated by 18-year-old Marcelo Tomas Barrios Vera of Chile 6-4, 6-3. Barrios Vera, a top 10 ranked junior player last year, will face Latvia’s Martins Podzus who beat Juan Sebastien Gomez 6-0, 6-3. Germany’s Jonas Luetien defeated Peruvian Davis Cupper Mauricio Echazu of Peru 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 and will face Baughman.
Thursday’s Second Round Results
Marcelo Tomas Barrios Vera, Chile d. (1) Gonzalo Escobar, Ecuador 6-4, 6-3
Martins Podzus, Latvia d. (5) Juan Sebastian Gomez, Colombia 6-0, 6-3
Roberto Quiroz, Ecuador d. (WC) Gianni Ross, United States 6-7(2), 6-4, 7-5
(LL) Vasil Kirkov, United States d. Daniel Garza, Mexico 4-6, 6-4, 4-1 Ret.
(Q) Juan Manuel Benitez Chavarriaga, Colombia d. (Q) Ty Trombetta, United States 7-5, 6-2
(3) Denis Shapovalov, Canada d. (Q) Michael Zhu, United States 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(1)
Jonas Luetjen, Germany d. Mauricio Echazu, Peru 6-2, 3-6, 6-2
(2) Deiton Baughman, United States d. (Q) Evgeny Korolev, Russia 6-3, 5-7, 6-1
Thursday’s Doubles Semifinal Results
(1) Deiton Baughman, United States/Anderson Reed, United States d. Gonzalo Escobar, Ecuador/Roberto Quiroz, Ecuador 1-6, 6-4, 13-11
Miomir Kecmanovic, Serbia/Jonas Luetjen, Germany d. Janis Podzus, Latvia/Martins Podzus, Latvia 7-6(5), 4-6, 10-4
Friday’s Schedule
Stadium (Starting at 11AM)
Marcelo Tomas Barrios Vera, Chile v. Martins Podzus, Latvia
Not before 1PM
(2) Deiton Baughman, United States v. Jonas Luetjen, Germany
Not before 3PM
(3) Denis Shapovalov, Canada v. (Q) Juan Manuel Benitez Chavarriaga, Colombia
Not before 6PM
(LL) Vasil Kirkov, United States v. Roberto Quiroz, Ecuador
Fans can follow news and developments on the tournament on Facebook and on Twitter at @VeroFutures and by going to the website www.TennisVeroBeach.com
Tournament match start times are as follows:
11 am Friday, April 29 Not before 6 pm Night Match
1 pm, 3 pm Saturday, April 30, Singles semifinals
11 am Sunday, May 1 (likely doubles championship match first, followed by singles championship match at 1 pm, depending on if a player is competing in both finals)
Starting in 2016, the Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation is the new operator of the $10,000 “Futures” tennis tournament in Vero Beach, one of the longest-running and best attended events on the U.S. Tennis Association Pro Circuit. The tournament, now called The Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation Tennis Championships, benefits the Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation, the non-profit tennis foundation benefiting children, named for Vero Beach native son Mardy Fish, a former top 10 tennis star, U.S. Davis Cup hero and silver medalist at the 2004 Olympic Games. The event was managed for 20 years by Vero Beach tennis teaching professional Mike Rahaley, who made the annual Vero Beach stop one of the crown jewels on the USTA Pro Circuit. The 2016 tournament will be held April 22 through May 1 at The Boulevard Tennis Club.
Founded in 2007, the Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation (www.MardyFishFoundation.com and @MardyFishFound on Twitter) currently supports over 2,100 children in 15 elementary schools and six middle schools in Indian River County, Florida by providing after-school exercise, nutritional and enrichment programs in a safe environment to prepare them for healthy, productive and successful lives. The Foundation introduced the “Six Healthy Habits” in 2012 which are Get Sleep; Drink Water; Exercise Daily, Eat Healthy; Brush and Floss; Make Friends.” Mardy Fish recently completed his ATP professional tennis career at the 2015 U.S. Open, highlighted by a career-high ranking of No. 7, six ATP singles titles, eight ATP doubles titles and an Olympic silver medal in singles at the 2004 Olympics. He reached the quarterfinals at the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open and was a mainstay on the U.S. Davis Cup team from 2002 to 2012.
Some of the past competitors in Vero Beach have gone on to succeed at the highest levels of professional tennis, winning major singles and doubles titles, Olympic medals and Davis Cup championships and earning No. 1 world rankings. Andy Roddick, the 2003 U.S. Open champion who attained the world No. 1 ranking and helped the United States win the Davis Cup in 2007 competed in Vero Beach in 1999. Thomas Johansson of Sweden, who reached the second round of the Vero Beach Futures in 1995, won the Australian Open seven years later in 2002. Nicolas Massu, the 1998 singles runner-up in Vero Beach, won the singles and doubles gold medals at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, beating Fish in the gold medal singles match. Kyle Edmund, the 2013 champion in Vero Beach, helped Great Britain to the Davis Cup title in 2015. Other notable former competitors in Vero Beach include former world No. 2 Magnus Norman, former world No. 4 Tim Henman, 2016 Australian Open semifinalist Milos Raonic among others. Former Vero Beach competitors have combined to win 19 titles in singles, doubles and mixed doubles at Grand Slam tournaments. Six former Vero Beach players have gone on to play Davis Cup for the United States – Roddick, Fish, Taylor Dent, Jared Palmer, Donald Young and Ryan Harrison.
Sponsors and supporters of the event are as follows:
Grand Slam Sponsors
SorensenRealEstate.com
Boston Barricade
Laser Spine Institute
George E. Warren Corp.
Indian River Medical Center
Syde Hurdus Foundation
PNC Bank
Backhand Sponsors
John’s Island Real Estate
Coastal Van Lines Storage
Indian River Press Journal / TCPalm.com
Barbara Ettinger
Dr. Larry Landsman
Dr. John Sarbak
Citrus Grillhouse
White Orchid Day Spa
Gene Simonsen
Michael & Kathleen Pierce
Center Court
Publix
Indian River Oxygen
Forehand Sponsors
Rosato Plastic Surgery Center
Kay C. Betancourt, DMD
Jeff & Rosanne Susi
Mello Financial
Jean Ueltschi
Sam & Susie Bell
Cravings
Sue Powell Rentals
William Barhorst
Peter Bernholz Family
Don & Linda Proctor
The Whole Person Project, Inc.
Ocean Drive Plastic Surgery
Ocean Drive Elite Physiques
Huryn Construction
Riverside Café
Barker Air Conditioning
Bill & Laurie Stewart
Steve McCloud / Wells Fargo Private Mortgage Banking
Coggin BMW of Ft. Pierce / Mercedes of Ft. Pierce
Twig Swim & Sportswear Shop
Osceola Bistro
Supporting Sponsors and Patrons
The Moorings Yacht & Country Club
New Leaf Designs
A Pampered Life / Disney Spa
Carpe Antiperspirant Hand Lotion
Robert Kowalczyk – Moorings Yacht & Country Club
Win Detergent
Calvetti & Company
NewChapterMedia.com
Steve Hardin – Twin Oaks Tennis Club
Aurelija Merrill – John’s Island Club
Carol Donnelly
Roy & Tish Wissel
Boast
Hutchinson’s Florist
Casey’s Restaurant
Chelsea’s Market
Tennis Resort at the ESPN Wide World of Sports at Disney
Sassy Boutique
Quail Valley Club
Bottle Shop
Busy Bee
Veranda
Avanzare
Maison Beach Gifts
Center for Advanced Eye Care
Diamond Resorts International
Monreal London
Rock City Gardens
Tina Simone Company
Pogues, Inc.
Kevin Healy, M.S., D.S.
Chiropractic Nutrition and Wellness
Treasure Coast Sports Commission
Saddlebrook Academy
Nailtiques
Sam Garcia – Quail Valley Club
Dr. Raymond Della Porta, D.M.D.
Yulin Day Spa
Pat Gorman – Bent Pine Golf Club
Frosting
Grind & Grape bar & grill
JMcLaughlin
Vero Beach Yoga Barre
Ken & Annette Krasnow
Indian River County School District
Body Network
Studio Gabriel
Quinn Hiaason
Tommy Falcone
Sandy Malone
Spring Hill Suites by Marriott
Vero Beach Inn & Suites
Seaside Grill
Swarovski Jewelry
Minuteman Press
Dr. Michele Maholtz
Jony Leitenbauer and Tom Fish – Windsor Club
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Randy Walker – 917 770 0843
RWalker@NewChapterMedia.com
American Teenager Vasil Kirkov Makes Most Of "Lucky Loser" Status
Seventeen-year-old Vasil Kirkov was at his hotel eating lunch Monday when his fortunes at the Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation Tennis Championships turned lucky.
It was there that he learned that he had received a “lucky loser” entry into the main draw of the tournament after losing in the final-round of qualifying earlier on Monday.
“I got a phone call from my coach saying that I got in,” said Kirkov. “I was kind of shocked.”
The American from Tampa, Fla., who trains part-time in Vero Beach with Tennis Hall of Famer Ivan Lendl, was able to cash in on his good fortune by beating Alejandro Mendoza of Bolivia Tuesday in the first round 6-4, 7-6(4).
After losing in the final round of the qualifying tournament to fellow American Hady Habib, Kirkov’s chances of getting into the main draw of the tournament appeared over. However, when Alejandro Gomez of Colombia pulled out of the tournament, Kirkov was the lucky recipient of that vacant spot in the draw, what is known in tennis as a “lucky loser” spot. Kirkov’s name was randomly drawn among the players who lost in the final round of qualifying to replace Gomez.
Against Mendoza, not much separated Kirkov with the nine-years senior Mendoza as nine of their 22 games, not including the tiebreak, went to deuce, but what won the match for Kirkov was his mental game.
“I did a good job of being aware of what I had to do and what was going on,” said Kirkov.
That mental strength can be attributed, in part, to his work with Lendl, an eight-time major champion working as a coaching consultant for the USTA Player Development program.
Kirkov’s aggressiveness and willingness to come to the net often was what allowed him to apply pressure on Mendoza and eventually pull out the win, a valuable one that earned him his second ATP ranking point and will see him enter inside the Top 2000 of the ATP rankings, though Kirkov is not too concerned about that.
“Mostly experience and playing against these big guys,” is what Kirkov said he takes out of these “Futures” level professional tournaments. “It still helps to have [the rankings points].”
Kirkov’s next match will be played against the winner of the No. 6 seed Federico Zeballos of Bolivia or the 2011 Vero Beach champion Daniel Garza of Mexico.
Another notable winner on Tuesday was Jonas Luetjen, a 25-year-old from Germany who played college tennis at Ole Miss. Luetjen defeated the No. 8 seed Peter Nagy, a Davis Cup team member from Hungary, 6-3, 6-4.
“It makes me feel really good…I expected a tough game, but I was ready for it,” said Luetjen of his win over Nagy.
“Second set I got a little tight…but I stayed mentally strong, physically strong and I’m glad I got through in straight sets.”
Luetjen has battled injuries throughout his career but is glad to be back on court and playing well again. “I’ve played the whole year without injuries and that’s the biggest thing…I’m feeling very well and I’m blessed to be out here still playing.”
The 25-year old may not have been playing in this tournament, or any professional tournament in 2016, if it weren’t for his experience at Ole Miss, claiming “if I would not have gone to college I would not be out here still playing.”
The experience helped him become a better player and has prepared him for the grueling life on the tour.
“These four years were probably the best of my life and you can develop so much physically, mentally,” he said. “I would do it all over again.”
Luetjen, who has already reached a final and two quarterfinals in 2016, will face off next against either 17-year old qualifier William Howells of Boca Raton, Fla., or Peruvian Davis Cupper Mauricio Echazu.
In the late doubles match, Mike Alford, the teaching pro at the Quail Valley Club in Vero Beach, and his former Florida Gator teammate Billy Federhofer lost 6-3, 7-5 to Hungarian Davis Cupper Peter Nagy and 17-year-old Canadian upstart Denis Shapovalov.
First Round Singles Results
Marcelo Tomas Barrios Vera, Chile d. (WC) Adam Ambrozy, United States 6-3, 6-3
Martins Podzus, Latvia d. Jorge Montero, Chile 6-2, 6-4
(5) Juan Sebastian Gomez, Colombia d. Matias Franco Descotte, Argentina 6-2, 6-2
(LL) Vasil Kirkov, United States d. Alejandro Mendoza, Bolivia 6-4, 7-6(4)
Jonas Luetjen, Germany d. (8) Peter Nagy, Hungary 6-3, 6-4
First Round Doubles Results
(1) Deiton Baughman, United States/Anderson Reed, United States d. (WC) Antonio Balau, Brazil/Igor Schattan, Brazil 6-3, 6-1
Peter Nagy, Hungary/Denis Shapovalov, Canada d. (WC) Michael Alford, United States/William Federhofer, United States 6-3, 7-5
Ruben Gonzales, Philippines/Dennis Nevolo, United States d. (4) Mauricio Echazu, Peru/Federico Zeballos, Bolivia 4-6, 6-2, 10-7
Gonzalo Escobar, Ecuador/Roberto Quiroz, Ecuador d. (WC) Thomas Cook, United States/Nathan Pasha, United States 6-3, 6-3
Miomir Kecmanovic, Hungary/Jonas Luetjen, Germany d. Brian Battistone, United States/Isaiah Strode, United States 6-4, 7-6(9)
(3) Juan Sebastian Gomez, Colombia/Felipe Mantilla, Colombia d. Geronimo Espin Busleiman, Argentina/Eduardo Agustin Torre, Argentina 6-4, 6-2
Janis Podzus, Latvia/Martins Podzus, Latvia d. Alexander Merino, Peru/Michael Zhu, United States 6-3, 6-1
Jose Daniel Bendeck, Colombia/Alejandro Mendoza, Bolivia d. Jack Vance, United States/Jamie Vance, United States 6-0, 6-2
Wednesday’s Schedule
Stadium (Starting at 10AM)
(1) Gonzalo Escobar, Ecuador v. Miomir Kecmanovic, Serbia
(3) Denis Shapovalov, Canada v. Eduardo Agustin Torre, Argentina
(Q) William Howells, United States v. Mauricio Echazu, Peru
Janis Podzus, Latvia/Martins Podzus, Latvia v. Jose Daniel Bendeck, Colombia/Alejandro Mendoza, Bolivia
(Q) Evgeny Korolev, Russia v. (WC) Sam Riffice, United States
Grandstand (Starting at 10AM)
(4) Dennis Nevolo, United States v. (WC) Gianni Ross, United States
(2) Deiton Baughman, United States v. Junior Alexander Ore, United States
(6) Federico Zeballos, Bolivia v. Daniel Garza, Mexico
(Q) Hady Habib, United States v. (Q) Ty Trombetta, United States
(1) Deiton Baughman, United States/Anderson Reed, United States v. Peter Nagy, Hungary/Denis Shapovalov, Canada
Court 4 (Starting at 10AM)
(7) Felipe Mantilla, Colombia v. (Q) Juan Manuel Benitez Chavarriaga, Colombia
Roberto Quiroz, Colombia v. (Q) Raleigh Smith, United States
(Q) Michael Zhu, United States v. (WC) Pietro Rimondini, United States
(3) Juan Sebastian Gomez, Colombia/Felipe Mantilla, Colombia v. Miomir Kecmanovic, Serbia/Jonas Luetjen, Germany
Ruben Gonzales, Philippines/Dennis Nevolo, United States v. Gonzalo Escobar, Ecuador/Roberto Quiroz, Ecuador
Fans can follow news and developments on the tournament on Facebook and on Twitter at @VeroFutures and by going to the website www.TennisVeroBeach.com
Tournament match start times are as follows:
10 am Wednesday, April 27, Not before 6 pm Night Match (Main Draw)
10 am Thursday, April 28, Not before 6 pm Night Match (Main Draw)
10 am Friday, April 29 Not before 6 pm Night Match (2nd Doubles Semifinal)
1 pm, 3 pm Saturday, April 30, Singles semifinals
11 am Sunday, May 1 (likely doubles championship match first, followed by singles championship match at 1 pm, depending on if a player is competing in both finals)
Starting in 2016, the Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation is the new operator of the $10,000 “Futures” tennis tournament in Vero Beach, one of the longest-running and best attended events on the U.S. Tennis Association Pro Circuit. The tournament, now called The Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation Tennis Championships, benefits the Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation, the non-profit tennis foundation benefiting children, named for Vero Beach native son Mardy Fish, a former top 10 tennis star, U.S. Davis Cup hero and silver medalist at the 2004 Olympic Games. The event was managed for 20 years by Vero Beach tennis teaching professional Mike Rahaley, who made the annual Vero Beach stop one of the crown jewels on the USTA Pro Circuit. The 2016 tournament will be held April 22 through May 1 at The Boulevard Tennis Club.
Founded in 2007, the Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation (www.MardyFishFoundation.com and @MardyFishFound on Twitter) currently supports over 2,100 children in 15 elementary schools and six middle schools in Indian River County, Florida by providing after-school exercise, nutritional and enrichment programs in a safe environment to prepare them for healthy, productive and successful lives. The Foundation introduced the “Six Healthy Habits” in 2012 which are Get Sleep; Drink Water; Exercise Daily, Eat Healthy; Brush and Floss; Make Friends.” Mardy Fish recently completed his ATP professional tennis career at the 2015 U.S. Open, highlighted by a career-high ranking of No. 7, six ATP singles titles, eight ATP doubles titles and an Olympic silver medal in singles at the 2004 Olympics. He reached the quarterfinals at the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open and was a mainstay on the U.S. Davis Cup team from 2002 to 2012.
Some of the past competitors in Vero Beach have gone on to succeed at the highest levels of professional tennis, winning major singles and doubles titles, Olympic medals and Davis Cup championships and earning No. 1 world rankings. Andy Roddick, the 2003 U.S. Open champion who attained the world No. 1 ranking and helped the United States win the Davis Cup in 2007 competed in Vero Beach in 1999. Thomas Johansson of Sweden, who reached the second round of the Vero Beach Futures in 1995, won the Australian Open seven years later in 2002. Nicolas Massu, the 1998 singles runner-up in Vero Beach, won the singles and doubles gold medals at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, beating Fish in the gold medal singles match. Kyle Edmund, the 2013 champion in Vero Beach, helped Great Britain to the Davis Cup title in 2015. Other notable former competitors in Vero Beach include former world No. 2 Magnus Norman, former world No. 4 Tim Henman, 2016 Australian Open semifinalist Milos Raonic among others. Former Vero Beach competitors have combined to win 19 titles in singles, doubles and mixed doubles at Grand Slam tournaments. Six former Vero Beach players have gone on to play Davis Cup for the United States – Roddick, Fish, Taylor Dent, Jared Palmer, Donald Young and Ryan Harrison.
Sponsors and supporters of the event are as follows:
Grand Slam Sponsors
SorensenRealEstate.com
Boston Barricade
Laser Spine Institute
George E. Warren Corp.
Indian River Medical Center
Syde Hurdus Foundation
PNC Bank
Backhand Sponsors
John’s Island Real Estate
Coastal Van Lines Storage
Indian River Press Journal / TCPalm.com
Barbara Ettinger
Dr. Larry Landsman
Dr. John Sarbak
Citrus Grillhouse
White Orchid Day Spa
Gene Simonsen
Michael & Kathleen Pierce
Center Court
Publix
Indian River Oxygen
Forehand Sponsors
Rosato Plastic Surgery Center
Kay C. Betancourt, DMD
Jeff & Rosanne Susi
Mello Financial
Jean Ueltschi
Sam & Susie Bell
Cravings
Sue Powell Rentals
William Barhorst
Peter Bernholz Family
Don & Linda Proctor
The Whole Person Project, Inc.
Ocean Drive Plastic Surgery
Ocean Drive Elite Physiques
Huryn Construction
Riverside Café
Barker Air Conditioning
Bill & Laurie Stewart
Steve McCloud / Wells Fargo Private Mortgage Banking
Coggin BMW of Ft. Pierce / Mercedes of Ft. Pierce
Twig Swim & Sportswear Shop
Osceola Bistro
Supporting Sponsors and Patrons
The Moorings Yacht & Country Club
New Leaf Designs
A Pampered Life / Disney Spa
Carpe Antiperspirant Hand Lotion
Robert Kowalczyk – Moorings Yacht & Country Club
Win Detergent
Calvetti & Company
NewChapterMedia.com
Steve Hardin – Twin Oaks Tennis Club
Aurelija Merrill – John’s Island Club
Carol Donnelly
Roy & Tish Wissel
Boast
Hutchinson’s Florist
Casey’s Restaurant
Chelsea’s Market
Tennis Resort at the ESPN Wide World of Sports at Disney
Sassy Boutique
Quail Valley Club
Bottle Shop
Busy Bee
Veranda
Avanzare
Maison Beach Gifts
Center for Advanced Eye Care
Diamond Resorts International
Monreal London
Rock City Gardens
Tina Simone Company
Pogues, Inc.
Kevin Healy, M.S., D.S.
Chiropractic Nutrition and Wellness
Treasure Coast Sports Commission
Saddlebrook Academy
Nailtiques
Sam Garcia – Quail Valley Club
Dr. Raymond Della Porta, D.M.D.
Yulin Day Spa
Pat Gorman – Bent Pine Golf Club
Frosting
Grind & Grape bar & grill
JMcLaughlin
Vero Beach Yoga Barre
Ken & Annette Krasnow
Indian River County School District
Body Network
Studio Gabriel
Quinn Hiaason
Tommy Falcone
Sandy Malone
Spring Hill Suites by Marriott
Vero Beach Inn & Suites
Seaside Grill
Swarovski Jewelry
Minuteman Press
Dr. Michele Maholtz
Jony Leitenbauer and Tom Fish – Windsor Club
Ivan Lendl Pupils Kypson, Kirkov Fall In Qualifying Finals, But One Gets Lucky
Both of Ivan Lendl’s tennis pupils lost in the final round of the qualifying tournament for the Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation Tennis Championships at The Boulevard Tennis Club Monday, but one got lucky.
Patrick Kypson and Vasil Kirkov, both coached on by the Vero Beach resident and Tennis Hall of Famer, were both defeated in their final-round matches, Kypson losing to fellow American Williams Howells 6-4, 1-6, 6-1, while Kirkov lost to another American Hady Habib from Houston, Texas 6-2, 7-6 (2). Kirkov, however, was awarded a “lucky loser” position into the main draw when Alejandro Gomez of Colombia withdrew from the singles draw.
Kirkov will be joined in the 32-player main draw by two other teenage American players, Sam Ruffice and Gianni Ross, who have all been training with Lendl at the Windsor Club many times this year.
Rookie pro Michael Zhu from Princeton, N.J. won a marathon three-set struggle to beat Mexican Davis Cup player Tigre Hank 7-5, 2-6, 6-4 in two hours, 42 minutes in the most dramatic final-round qualifying match Monday. Zhu, who played No. 1 in his senior year at the University of Michigan in 2015, out-hit his flashy left-handed opponent from the baseline on Stadium Court. Tigre, from Tijuana, is the No. 1 player from Mexico and frequently trains in Vero Beach with part-time local resident Daniel Garza, also a Mexican Davis Cupper who won the Vero Beach Futures title in 2011.
Other players qualifying for the main draw of the $10,000 USTA Pro Circuit event include former world No. 46 Evgeny Korolev of Russia who defeated Jonathan Chang 6-2, 6-1 and Ty Trombetta of the United States who defeated Jamaican Davis Cup team member Rowland Phillips 7-6 (5), 6-1.
The main draw of play starts at 10 am with Adam Ambrozy, an 18-year-old from St. Petersburg, Fla., facing Marcelo Tomas Barrios Vera of Chile in the first match on the Stadium Court. Ambrozy, who will attend Columbia University in New York City next year, is one of 14 teenagers in the singles and doubles field this year at the Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation Tennis Championships. The No. 1 seed in the event is Gonzalo Escobar, a member of the Davis Cup team from Ecuador who is ranked No. 346 in the world. Escobar is one of 12 players in the singles or doubles tournament who have played Davis Cup for their country.
Results – Final Round Qualifying
Michael Zhu (USA) def. Tigre Hank (MEX) [1] 7-5, 2-6, 6-4
Eduardo Agustin Torre (ARG) [2] def. Benjamin Hannestad (DEN) [10] 2-6, 6-3, 6-2
William Howells (USA) def. Patrick Kypson (USA) [13] 6-4, 1-6, 6-1
Ty Trombetta (USA) def. Rowland Phillips (JAM) 7-6 (5), 6-1
Hady Habib (USA) def. Vasil Kirkov (USA) 6-2, 7-6(2)
Evgeny Korolev (RUS) def. Jonathan Chang (USA) 6-2, 6-1
Raleigh Smith (USA) [7] def. Javier Naser (CHI) 7-6, 6-2
Juan Manuel Benitz Chavarriaga (COL) [8] def. Michael Lippens (USA) 6-1, 6-2
Main Draw Tuesday’s Schedule of Play
Stadium Starting at 10 am
Adam AMBROZY (USA) vs. Marcelo Tomas BARRIOS VERA (CHI)
Followed by
Vasil KIRKOV (USA) vs. Alejandro MENDOZA (BOL)
Not Before 1 pm
Matias Franco Descotte vs. Juan Sebastien Gomez (COL) (5)
Not Before 3 pm
Miomir KECMANOVIC (SRB) / Jonas LUETJEN (GER) vs. Brian BATTISTONE (USA) / Isaiah STRODE (USA)
Not Before 4:30 pm
Deiton BAUGHMAN (USA) / Anderson REED (USA) vs. Antonio BALAU (BRA) / Igor SCHATTAN (BRA)
Not Before 6 pm
Michael ALFORD (USA) / William FEDERHOFER (USA) Peter NAGY (HUN) / Denis SHAPOVALOV (CAN)
Grandstand Starting at 10 am
Starting at 10 am
Mauricio ECHAZU (PER) / Federico ZEBALLOS (BOL) vs. Ruben GONZALES (PHI) / Dennis NEVOLO (USA)
Not Before 11 am
Peter NAGY (HUN) [8] vs. Jonas LUETJEN (GER)
Not Before 1 pm
Thomas COOK (USA) / Nathan PASHA (USA) vs. Gonzalo ESCOBAR (ECU) / Roberto QUIROZ (ECU)
Not Before 3 pm
Jose Daniel BENDECK (COL) / Alejandro MENDOZA vs. Daniel GARZA (MEX) [2] / Tigre HANK (MEX)
Not Before 4:30
Geronimo ESPIN BUSLEIMAN (ARG) / Eduardo Agustin Gomez (COL) vs. Juan Sebastian GOMEZ (COL) [3] / Felipe Mantilla (COL)
Court 4
Not Before Noon
Martins Podzus (LAT) vs. Jorge Montero (CHI)
Not Before 4 pm
Martins Podzus and Martins Podzus (LAT) vs. Alexander Merino (PER) Michael Zhu (USA)
Monday’s full schedule of play can be seen here: https://s3.amazonaws.com/ustaassets/assets/1/15/schedule520.pdf
The main singles draw can be seen here: https://s3.amazonaws.com/ustaassets/assets/1/15/singles_draw518.pdf
The main doubles draw can be seen here: https://s3.amazonaws.com/ustaassets/assets/1/15/doubles_draw518.pdf
Fans can follow news and developments on the tournament on Facebook and on Twitter at @VeroFutures and by going to the website www.TennisVeroBeach.com
Tournament match start times are as follows:
10 am Tuesday, April 26 Not before 6 pm Night Match (Main Draw Starts)
10 am Wednesday, April 27, Not before 6 pm Night Match (Main Draw)
10 am Thursday, April 28, Not before 6 pm Night Match (Main Draw)
10 am Friday, April 29 Not before 6 pm Night Match (2nd Doubles Semifinal)
1 pm, 3 pm Saturday, April 30, Singles semifinals
11 am Sunday, May 1 (likely doubles championship match first, followed by singles championship match at 1 pm, depending on if a player is competing in both finals)
Starting in 2016, the Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation is the new operator of the $10,000 “Futures” tennis tournament in Vero Beach, one of the longest-running and best attended events on the U.S. Tennis Association Pro Circuit. The tournament, now called The Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation Tennis Championships, benefits the Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation, the non-profit tennis foundation benefiting children, named for Vero Beach native son Mardy Fish, a former top 10 tennis star, U.S. Davis Cup hero and silver medalist at the 2004 Olympic Games. The event was managed for 20 years by Vero Beach tennis teaching professional Mike Rahaley, who made the annual Vero Beach stop one of the crown jewels on the USTA Pro Circuit. The 2016 tournament will be held April 22 through May 1 at The Boulevard Tennis Club.
Founded in 2007, the Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation (www.MardyFishFoundation.com and @MardyFishFound on Twitter) currently supports over 2,100 children in 15 elementary schools and six middle schools in Indian River County, Florida by providing after-school exercise, nutritional and enrichment programs in a safe environment to prepare them for healthy, productive and successful lives. The Foundation introduced the “Six Healthy Habits” in 2012 which are Get Sleep; Drink Water; Exercise Daily, Eat Healthy; Brush and Floss; Make Friends.” Mardy Fish recently completed his ATP professional tennis career at the 2015 U.S. Open, highlighted by a career-high ranking of No. 7, six ATP singles titles, eight ATP doubles titles and an Olympic silver medal in singles at the 2004 Olympics. He reached the quarterfinals at the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open and was a mainstay on the U.S. Davis Cup team from 2002 to 2012.
Some of the past competitors in Vero Beach have gone on to succeed at the highest levels of professional tennis, winning major singles and doubles titles, Olympic medals and Davis Cup championships and earning No. 1 world rankings. Andy Roddick, the 2003 U.S. Open champion who attained the world No. 1 ranking and helped the United States win the Davis Cup in 2007 competed in Vero Beach in 1999. Thomas Johansson of Sweden, who reached the second round of the Vero Beach Futures in 1995, won the Australian Open seven years later in 2002. Nicolas Massu, the 1998 singles runner-up in Vero Beach, won the singles and doubles gold medals at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, beating Fish in the gold medal singles match. Kyle Edmund, the 2013 champion in Vero Beach, helped Great Britain to the Davis Cup title in 2015. Other notable former competitors in Vero Beach include former world No. 2 Magnus Norman, former world No. 4 Tim Henman, 2016 Australian Open semifinalist Milos Raonic among others. Former Vero Beach competitors have combined to win 19 titles in singles, doubles and mixed doubles at Grand Slam tournaments. Six former Vero Beach players have gone on to play Davis Cup for the United States – Roddick, Fish, Taylor Dent, Jared Palmer, Donald Young and Ryan Harrison.