ATP Winston-Salem: Monday Pictures

This is the 4th installment of the ATP Winston-Salem Open coverage.  For previous posts, click here.

I didn't get to watch much on Monday because of the rain delays so I'm going to keep this post short and just post pictures.

Donald Young and his practice partner on PC1.

Donald Young

Donald Young's hitting partner

Spotted Sekou Bangoura, still can't figure out what's sticking out of his hair.

Winston-Salem Open Sunday Recap: Jared Donaldson vs Sam Groth

The 2015 Winston-Salem Open first round match between 18 year old American wildcard, Jared Donaldson, and World No.54 Sam Groth of Australia was a roller coaster ride.  The encounter lasted almost three hours with the big serving Aussie triumphing in three tiebreaks.

Evening match on Stadium Court

Some of my readers are aware that I have been following Donaldson's career for a long time since he was a 16 year old playing juniors in South America.  I have watched him countless times on the streams, but this was my first time witnessing his match in person.  Even though it was not the outcome I had hoped for, it was an entertaining battle filled with some great shot-making and theatrical moments.

ATP Winston-Salem Open: Saturday Part II

This is Part II of the Winston-Salem Open Saturday coverage.  ICYMI Part I.

Saw the beginning of Mischa Zverev and Sanam Singh match but didn't stay long because Court 5 had no place to sit (standing room only).  Per the qualifying draw, Mischa retired trailing 6-4 3-1.

Sanam Singh and Mischa Zverev getting ready for their match

Sanam Singh

ATP Winston-Salem Open Qualies - Saturday Part I

It has been a while since my last post, slacking I know.  Yesterday, I made my annual trip to the ATP 250 event in Winston-Salem.  If you recall, it is at the same facility as the Winston-Salem futures held earlier this summer.  But unlike the lower tournament, this event is much better organized, has bigger crowd and higher profile players. World No.11 and WC recipient, Gilles Simon of France is the top seed and 18 year old Croatian Borna Coric rounds out the Top 8 with an ATP ranking of 38.  The other three wildcards went to former World No.2 Tommy Haas of Germany, 2nd seed Kevin Anderson (RSA), and 18 year old American Jared Donaldson.  For full draw.

Map of the tournament

Qualifying Saturday is the best day of the tournament in my opinion.  Both Qualifying Round 1 and 2 are played on the same day so spectators get their money's worth.  However, because there are so many matches going on at the same time, five to be exact, it is tough to watch everything.  So I made a list of what I wanted to see beforehand.

Semifinal Saturday: Winston Salem Futures

My third and final installment of the 2015 Winston-Salem futures series.

To be honest, I didn't plan on attending the semifinals but these came in the mail earlier than expected.

Pictured key chains of Rhyne Williams and Tennys Sandgren during their time at the University of Tennessee. "Sift" is one of their favorite hashtags. Originally, I planned to give them to the former teammates at the Charlottesville Challenger in November.  When I first followed Rhyne and Tennys, I was fascinated by their friendships and was/still am envied of it.  Hadn't seen anything quite like it.  They even had their own language.  (They lost in the doubles final yesterday, but it was nice to see them playing with each other like old times).

Thursday In Pictures: Winston-Salem Futures

This is the second post on the Wake Forest futures.  ICYM the first one: My First Futures Experience at $15K Winston-Salem.  

They had chairs this time, first come first serve. Three courts in action on the left and one on the right for the second round matches.  A cool and breezy day.

The best thing about attending futures (and challengers) is getting to see the players up close.  Smaller crowd makes it easier to spot and interact with the athletes  Also, they are free of charge most of the time.

Brian Baker and Rhyne Williams watching Tennys Sandgren and Noah Rubin

My First Futures Experience at $15K Winston-Salem

While eyes were on the clay grand slam yesterday, I experienced my first futures at the $15K Winston-Salem (first Men's ITF event in the state of North Carolina that I know of. Edit: according to @jaredmckiernan, they used to have a futures in Elkin years ago).  The on-going event is held at the Wake Forest University Tennis Complex, also home to the ATP Winston-Salem Open in August.  I attended the 250 event every year since 2012 and hope to return again this summer.

Futures are the lowest pro circuit events where players can earn ATP points.  They are not glamorous like the ATP level tournaments and sometimes lack amenities found in challengers (next tier up).  But all players start their career there (stepping stone).  Most spectators are friends, family, players, and hard core tennis fans.  Wouldn't be suprised if I was the only "fan" to show up yesterday.

Playing Courts (a.k.a the practice courts of ATP Winston Salem Open)

Unlike the ATP event, there were no proper sitting arrangements at this ITF tourney.  Viewers either stood or sat on the grass unless they brought chairs with them like Brian Baker (pictured below).