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TUNICA, Mississippi (May 16, 2007)—The Fitz $50,000 USTA Challenger at Tunica National Golf and Tennis swung into full gear last weekend, with a Uruguayan player taking home the singles title and an American team capturing the doubles.
Americans Paul Goldstein and Donald Young won the doubles final against Pablo Cuevas and Horacio Zeballos with a score of 4-6, 6-1, and 10-4. Uruguayan Pablo Cuevas defeated Juan Pablo Brzezicki in the singles final with a score of 6-4, 4-6, and 6-3. The tournament started on Saturday, May 5th and ended with the finals on Saturday, May 12th.
“This is the third year the USTA chose Tunica National’s four indoor clay courts as the place for this prestigious event,” said Keith Evans, director of tennis at Tunica National Golf and Tennis. “This year the tournament was given an even higher rating by the USTA because The Fitz Casino and Hotel agreed to make this an H-level Challenger by providing all of the hospitality and accommodations at their newly renovated hotel.”
While the Tunica Challenger event is only in its third year, it has seen two prominent players reach the finals as part of their comebacks. Current world No. 9 James Blake was the first champion at Tunica National. Last year Mardy Fish, currently ranked No. 30, was runner-up. Fish, the Olympic silver medalist at the Athens games, followed Blake’s path back to the top of the game through the USTA Pro Circuit.
Tunica National was the only Challenger on this year’s schedule of 24 events to be played on indoor clay courts. More than 1,100 men and women from 79 countries competed on the USTA Pro Circuit in 2006 for nearly $3 million in prize money and ranking points making it the world’s largest developmental tennis tour.
At Tunica National Golf and Tennis Club, the four indoor tennis courts are the only Hydro-Grid Har-Tru indoor clay courts south of Washington, D.C. Har-Tru’s granular surface acts as a shock-absorbing cushion, allowing players to slide into their shots, preventing joint-jarring stops. One of the most impressive aspects of the technology is the sub-surface irrigation and the ability to control humidity indoors. Tunica National is managed by KemperSports. Tunica National is located on Highway 61 North near the casinos.
About Tunica National
Located on U.S. Highway 61 North in Tunica, Tunica National features an 18-hole Mark McCumber-designed public golf course, six-hole par-3 practice course, 20,000-square-foot clubhouse, circular driving range, and Golf Training Academy. The four indoor tennis courts are the only Hydro-Grid Har-Tru indoor clay courts south of Washington, D.C. Har-Tru’s granular surface acts as a shock-absorbing cushion, allowing players to slide into their shots, preventing joint-jarring stops. One of the most impressive aspects of the technology is the sub-surface irrigation and the ability to control humidity indoors. Tunica National is managed by KemperSports. For additional information and services provided by Tunica National, call 662-357-0777.
About KemperSports
Northbrook, Ill.-based KemperSports operates golf facilities as well as athletic clubs, lodging venues and major sporting events, including nationally ranked courses and tournament venues such as Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, Dorado Beach Resort & Club, The Glen Club, Gillette Ridge, Harding Park, Bolingbrook Golf Club, and Desert Willow. For more information, visit www.kempersports.com.
About Tunica
Tunica, an area where cotton, rice, soybean fields and catfish ponds still thrive, is “The South’s Casino Capital.” Located 30 minutes south of Memphis, Tunica welcomes more than 15 million visitors annually to its nine world-class casino resorts, with more than 6,300 hotel rooms, over 40 restaurants, championship golf, outdoor recreation, museums, outlet and antique shopping, and much more. For travel information, please visit the Tunica website at www.tunicamiss.com, or call Tunica at 1-888-4TUNICA. |
