FORT WORTH, Texas (August 3, 2018) – The top two seeds in the doubles main draw have advanced to the final, while one qualifier remains alive in the singles main draw, as day six of the 2018 Fort Worth Pro Tennis Classic $25K Women’s Pro Circuit Event wrapped up at the Bayard H. Friedman Tennis Center on the campus of TCU.
Friday proved to be a long day for matches as five of the six singles and doubles matches played went into the third set. For the first time in tournament history, the top two seeds on the doubles side will battle it out in the final on Saturday. The No. 1 duo of Ayaka Okuno of Japan and Olivia Tjandramulia of Australia, who have each picked up two doubles titles this year alone, were able to dispatch the No. 3 seeded pair of Nagi Hanatani and Akiko Omae of Japan, 6-3, 6-7 (7), 10-8. They will face the No. 2 seeded pairing of Chieh-Yu Hsu of Chinese Taipei and Marcela Zacarias of Mexico who have won one title together this year. The duo had a slow start to their semifinal match before coming back to defeat the American pair of Pamela Montez and Madison Westby, 1-6, 6-2, 11-9.
On the singles side of the draw, two of the quarterfinal matches stretched more than three hours while three of the matches were decided in three sets. No. 3 seed and former UCLA All-American Robin Anderson of the United States fought hard to take down No. 5 seed Zacarias, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4, and will face the only qualifier left in the draw in the semifinal in Paige Hourigan of New Zealand. The former Georgia Tech All-American downed fellow qualifier Kelly Chen of the United States, 7-5, 6-7 (3), 7-5, to claim her spot in the next round.
Dominique Schaefer of Peru was the only player to get a straight-set victory on the day as she defeated qualifier Rhiann Newborn of the United States, 6-3, 6-4. In the final quarterfinal match, incoming Duke freshman and No. 4 seed Maria Mateas of the United States had to bounce back from a first-set loss to pick up the win over North Carolina rising junior and qualifier Alexa Graham of the United States, 3-6, 6-1, 6-1.
The Fort Worth Pro Tennis Classic $25K USTA Pro Circuit event will be held at the Bayard H. Friedman Tennis Center on the campus of TCU from July 29-Aug. 5. The main draw portion of the tournament will continue on Saturday with matches beginning at 10 a.m. Professional athletes from around the world will be competing for $25,000 in prize money, as well as valuable WTA Tour Ranking points.
About the USTA Pro Circuit
With approximately 90 tournaments hosted annually throughout the country and prize money ranging from $15,000 to $125,000, the USTA Pro Circuit is the pathway to the US Open and tour level competition for aspiring tennis players and a frequent battleground for established professionals. The USTA launched its Pro Circuit 39 years ago to provide players with the opportunity to gain professional ranking points, and it has since grown to become the largest developmental tennis circuit in the world, offering more than $3 million in prize money. Last year, more than 1,000 men and women from more than 70 countries competed in cities nationwide. Andy Murray, Maria Sharapova, John Isner, Sloane Stephens, Kei Nishikori, Victoria Azarenka, and Sam Querrey and are among today’s top stars who began their careers on the USTA Pro Circuit.
By Abby Norman
Tournament Press Aid
Friday, August 3 – RESULTS
Singles – Main Draw Quarterfinal
Robin Anderson, United States (3) d. Marcela Zacarias, Mexico (5), 6-4, 2-6, 6-4
Paige Hourigan, New Zealand d. Kelly Chen, United States, 7-5, 6-7 (3), 7-5
Dominique Schaefer, Peru d. Rhiann Newborn, United States, 6-3, 6-4
Maria Mateas, United States (4) d. Alexa Graham, United States, 3-6, 6-1, 6-1
Doubles – Main Draw Semifinal
Ayaka Okuno, Japan/Olivia Tjandramulia, Australia (1) d. Nagi Hanatani/Akiko Omae, Japan, 6-3, 6-7 (7), 10-8
Chieh-Yu Hsu, Chinese Taipei/Marcela Zacarias, Mexico (2) d. Pamela Montez/Madison Westby, United States, 1-6, 6-2, 11-9