SPIN WEEKLY - November 7, 2014

OTA PICTURE OF THE WEEK

Play Underway at U9 Championships at Rexall Centre

Play got underway today in the second annual U9 Champions tournament at the Rexall Centre in Toronto. This year’s event will see 109 of the top Under 9 competitors in the province compete for $20,000 worth of private coaching from their pro. The two winners, one boy and one girl, will each receive $6,000 worth of private coaching over a two year period, with the two finalists receiving $4,000 worth of private coaching each. The event will be a round robin format to begin with, leading to a knock-out tournament to decide the winners. The event will be on a full size court with modified “Green Dot” tennis balls and a modified scoring system. The tournament began at 8am today and continues all day Saturday, November 8th and Sunday, November 9th starting at 8am. All matches will be played on indoor courts at the Rexall Centre in Toronto, home of the Rogers Cup. Photographer Clive Cohen will be taking pictures of the players all weekend . To check out and purchase his photos, visit www.tennisprints.com. For more information on the tournament as well as a complete list of competitors and their home towns, visit www.tennisontario.com

Send your favorite tennis shot and a brief description to ota@tennisontario.com - each week we’ll pick one and feature it in OTA Spin Weekly!

THIS WEEKS HEADLINES

Dabrowski Wins Tevlin

Canadian Gabriela Dabrowski (Ottawa) captured her first career professional singles title on Sunday, defeating American Maria Sanchez 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(7) in a thrilling duel at Rexall Centre in Toronto to win the Tevlin Challenger, a $50,000 ITF Pro Circuit tournament.

Lasting over two hours, No. 8 seed Dabrowski battled back from deficits in both the first and third sets, as well as the third-set tiebreaker. Both players struggled to find their shots in the early stages of the match, with Sanchez earning the first service hold to go up 4-2. Dabrowski was able to climb back and take the first set though, before No. 258-ranked Sanchez turned up her game to even the match at one-set apiece. An exciting finish ensued with the 22-year-old Canadian down 2-5 in the third set. In grueling fashion, Dabrowski managed to win the next four games, and Sanchez then held to force the tiebreaker. Once again, Dabrowski found herself down 2-5 before engineering another impressive comeback. She saved one match point en route to coming out on top. “I struggled through the whole match finding my range,” Dabrowski said. “I wouldn’t even say that I eventually found it, but some shots I hit were finally more penetrating and deeper so she wasn’t able to come into the net as much. Everyone says take it one point at a time, and that’s really what I did. Being able to come back in the third set, it proves to me that I can come back in those situations. I felt like I had chances all over the place, and I was just missing a lot of them so although I was down 5-2 I felt like if I kept pushing I could get it back and luckily I did.”

With the win, Dabrowski earns US $7,600 and 80 ranking points. Currently ranked world No. 201, she moved to a career-high of No. 164. Also Canada’s highest-ranked female doubles player at world No. 59, Dabrowski is a four-time Tevlin Challenger doubles champion and finished as runner-up this year. She and German partner Tatjana Maria fell to Sanchez and fellow American Taylor Townsend in the doubles championship match on Friday.

TOURNAMENT/EVENT REMINDER

The entry deadline is quickly approaching for the events below. To register, please click on the provided tournament link.

Team Ontario Circuit #3 - ACE Cedar Springs Racquet Club - Nov 14 - 16
Girls U18 Singles and Doubles. 3 Star Event. Entry deadline - Nov 9. For more information or to enter, click here.

Rogers Rookie Tour - Rosedale Tennis Club (Hamilton) - Nov 14 - 16
Girls and Boys U12, U16 Singles. Entry deadline - Nov 9. For more information or to enter, click here.
Provincial Circuit - Welland Youngs Sportsplex - Nov 14 - 16
Girls and Boys U14 Singles. Entry deadline - Nov 9. For more information or to enter, click here.

Team Ontario Circuit #3 - White Oaks Resort (Niagara on the Lake) - Nov 14 - 16Boys U18 Singles and Doubles. 3 Star Event. Entry deadline - Nov 9. For more information or to enter, click here.

Future Stars Tour - Niagara Academy of Tennis - Nov 15 - 16
Girls and Boys U19, U10 Singles. Entry deadline - Nov 9. For more information or to enter, click here. 

Mayfair East – TEAM Tennis Tournament – Sunday November 30th 

Tournament Details: Each TEAM entry includes two men and two ladies. A TEAM match consists of one set of MD, WD and two MXD against other TEAMs. When you are not on court you sit courtside with your teammates. Coaching and cheering is encouraged! Very high energy and great tennis! Your entry fee includes Guarantee of 3 TEAM matches, Players Packages, On and off court Sponsor Contests, and More. Start Time: 1:00 p.m. Spots are limited and the Prizes are Great so make sure you register soon! If you don’t have a full team, just sign up and we will help put a TEAM together.

To Enter: Email Entry@TENNISaccess.com .

For more information visit TENNISaccess.com or call 647-342-TENNIS (8366).

14th Annual Holiday Mixed Tournament – Mayfair Lakeshore – December 12 -14(Note: You will play your first rounds Friday evening OR Saturday afternoon – but not both – please specify which day is better for you when you enter. Everyone will play in the Elimination Draws on the Sunday.) Your Entry Fee Includes: A & B Elimination Draws / Guarantee of 3 matches / Holiday Players' Package / Courtside Treats each Day / Excellent Prizes including His & Her Bolle Sunglasses … and much more! / Plus - Access to Mayfair Lakeshore’s Full Facilities. In addition, this event will include: A HUGE Silent Auction / Sponsor Contests and Events – with Great Giveaways including Prizes for the Most Festively Dressed Players and Team. You Should Know: The draw is limited to 32 teams – and always fills, so make sure you sign up soon!

To Enter: Email Entry@TENNISaccess.com

For more information visit TENNISaccess.com or call 647-342-TENNIS (8366).

4th Annual Turkey TEAM Tennis Tournament – Sunday December 28th

Work off that Turkey and all the Trimmings at this Super Fun TEAM Tennis Event! Taking place at Mayfair West. Tournament Details: Each TEAM entry includes two men and two ladies. A TEAM match consists of one set of MD, WD and two MXD against other TEAMs. When you are not on court you sit courtside with your teammates. Coaching and cheering is encouraged! Very high energy and great tennis! Your entry fee includes Guarantee of 3 TEAM matches, Players Packages, On and off court Sponsor Contests, and More. Start Time: 12:00 p.m. Spots are limited and the Prizes are Great so make sure you register soon! If you don’t have a full team, just sign up and we will help put a TEAM together.

To Enter: Email Entry@TENNISaccess.com

For more information visit TENNISaccess.com or call 647-342-TENNIS (8366).

THIS WEEK'S OTA CLASSIFIEDS

Sports Travel Experts Offers Tennis Trips to Wimbledon, US Open and Jamaica

Sports Travel Experts offers trips to Wimbledon, the US Open and an exclusive tennis holiday at the Half Moon Resort in Jamaica. Half Moon Resort participants can enjoy a great tennis event near the beach, make new friends and learn from top certified professionals. The trip also includes an exhibition match after a fun day on the courts with some of the world’s greatest tennis player’s. In particular the second Jamaica Senior ITF, an event which was enjoyed by a number of Ontario players in 2014, will be held April 23 to 26, 2015. Sports Travel Experts will also offer travel to Wimbledon or the US Open, two of the world’s most prestigious tournaments, with experts who will provide an unforgettable experience. Please visit us at www.sportstravelexperts.com or contact info@sportstravelexperts.com or 1-800-677-5295.

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