Sock Wins Futures Title in Amelia Island; Giorgi Wins Toronto Challenger; Sarah Taylor Feature; Upcoming Holiday
Wild card Jack Sock lost a set for the first time at the $10,000 Amelia Island Futures tournament this week, but it didn't cost him the match. The 17-year-old from Nebraska, who trains in Kansas City with Mike Wolf, defeated No. 2 seed Artem Sitak of Russia 7-6(5), 1-6, 6-3 to claim his first pro title. As I mentioned yesterday, it is only the fifth pro event he's competed in.
The USTA has already posted a story on the final match here. From the account, which was obviously from someone who was there, it sounds as if the final set was full of drama, but Sock was able to serve it out. Sock is currently listed as an alternate at the Orange Bowl. I assume that if he wants a wild card to play there, his request will be granted.
Another unseeded 17-year-old, Camila Giorgi of Italy, won the $50,000 Tevlin Challenger in Toronto, defeating Aniko Kapros of Hungary 4-6 6-4 6-0. I'm not familiar with Giorgi's game; she has not played a junior slam nor has she played at all outside of Europe until this event. The last junior tournament she played was the 2008 Italian Open, where as a wild card, she lost in the second round. Already ranked 285, this is her second challenger win since September. Definitely one to watch. For a brief story on her win, click here.
Sixteen-year-old Marianne Jodoin of Canada teamed with veteran Maureen Drake to take the doubles, when Sharon Fichman was forced to retire due to a rolled ankle. Fichman and Mashona Washington were the top seeds, while Jodoin and Drake were unseeded. For more on the doubles, see the Tennis Canada website story.
I wasn't familiar with the tennis career of new USTA National Coach Sarah Taylor, so I was happy to read this feature by Mic Huber of the Sarasota Herald Tribune. (There is a typo in it; Taylor reached 68 in the WTA rankings, not 6). It's good to hear of players who turn pro prior to attending college then return to school for a degree.
I've been working on Eddie Herr previews for the Tennis Recruiting Network for publication later this week, but posts for the next few days are likely to be brief, as we head south for Thanksgiving with family in North Carolina, and then on to the big Eddie Herr, Orange Bowl, Junior Orange Bowl trifecta.
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