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HomeNewsLocal sportsPlayers Ready to Compete at Choice Wireless VI Tennis Tournament

Players Ready to Compete at Choice Wireless VI Tennis Tournament

Adrians Zguns, of Orlando, FloridaTennis players from the U.S. Virgin Islands, Caribbean, U.S. Mainland and World are registered to compete in the Choice Wireless VI Open Tennis Tournament. Set for Feb. 12-16 and hosted at the St. Thomas Yacht Club (STYC), the field is filled with outstanding professional and amateur talent. On the professional side, this includes ATP-ranked Adrians Zguns, of Orlando, Florida, who was eliminated from the Men’s Singles Finals last year by fellow ATP-ranked pro Stefano Ianni.
“The reasons why I am coming back to St. Thomas are the people and the caliber of play, which was very solid last year so I expect the same this year,” said Zguns, who has represented his native country of Latvia in the Davis Cup and who most recently earned his third consecutive Men’s Open Single’s title at the U.S. Professional Tennis Association Hard Court Championships, in October, in Tyler, Texas.
Mariana Correa, of Miami, Fla.The inclusion of a Women’s Open Singles class this year has enticed Mariana Correa, of Miami, Florida, to enter. Correa is a former pro who reached a career high of 26 in the world in juniors with her wins over Anna Ivanovic (former No. 1 WTA in the world) and many other top 100 WTA players. As an adult, Correa has successfully contended all over the world including in London for Wimbledon, in Paris for the French Open, and in Australia for the World Championships. She is the author of the 2014-published book, “Playing Tennis to Win: The Guidebook to Success.”
“I have never been to St. Thomas, but I have heard so many great things about the event, and I am looking forward to competing in such a great atmosphere. My goal is to win, of course, but part of winning is also learning and improving along the way,” said Correa, a native of Ecuador.
The Choice Wireless VI Open Tennis Tournament has become an annual and anticipated event for many Virgin Islands’ players.
“What I like is that everyone from different places comes together in St. Thomas to play some top tennis and to enjoy the island, its food and its nice people,” said George Lewis Jr., the STYC’s tennis director for the past 17 years. Lewis was honored by the V.I. Legislature in 2014 for his contributions to tennis both in the territory as well as representing the U.S.V.I. during his world travels as a pro, including being a member of the Virgin Islands’ first Davis Cup team.
V.I. players who won their classes in 2014 and who will be back this year include Jennifer Coffindaffer. Coffindaffer will participate in Women’s Doubles, which she topped last year, and Mixed Doubles 8.0. Stan Myrie-G, who with Louis Taylor won the Men’s Doubles 60-plus class, will compete in this class again as well as in Mixed Doubles. Taylor, will be back playing Men’s Doubles 60-plus and Men’s Singles 4.5.
All finals will take place on Monday, Feb. 16, at the STYC courts. The eagerly anticipated Men’s Singles finals will start at 9:30 a.m. Grilled hamburgers and hot dogs will be available for sale for lunch.
Players will compete in a total of 12 divisions in this USTA-sanctioned tournament, including Open Divisions for both men and women NTRP ranking 5.0 and above in singles, doubles and mixed doubles. In the B Division, there are two divisions for men’s and women’s singles (NTRP rating 4.5 and 3.5 and under); men’s, women’s and mixed doubles (NTRP rating 8.0 combined and under); and men’s doubles (60-plus years of age). Play will be best of three sets for all divisions.
Matches will take place on newly resurfaced courts at the STYC, the host location for Semi-Finals and Finals play, as well as the courts at the Anchorage Condominiums and Flamboyant On The Bay Resort & Villas at Magens Point. Matches will be officiated by USTA and International Tennis Federation head referee, Hector Figueroa, from Puerto Rico. The public is invited to come out and watch the action.
“This 2015 Choice Wireless VI Open Tennis Tournament is about rewards. Every player taking part in this competition has trained relentlessly to be on top of their game. Regardless of a win, we recognize their dedication to fitness, their drive to excel and determination in reaching for their goals. Choice Wireless is pleased to be the title sponsor of this first class display of sportsmanship and accomplishment,” says Tony Shepherd, CEO and General Manager of Choice Wireless.
Title sponsor Choice Wireless would like to reward athletes, coaches and families with low cost high performance cell phone service while visiting the U.S. Virgin Islands. Share photos and video, Tweet, Google, talk and text with Smartphone rentals for only $5 a day with unlimited data and no roaming fees.
The Choice Wireless VI Open Tennis Tournament is sponsored by Choice Wireless, the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism, St. Thomas Yacht Club and USTA Caribbean.
For more information, call 777-6156 or e-mail: viopen@choice-wireless.vi
 

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