Men’s and Women’s international pro tennis returns to Sunderland at the Sunderland Tennis Centre, Sunday 19 – Sunday 26 January 2014.
The Aegon GB Pro-Series Sunderland is an ITF Pro Circuit Women’s $25k event, and Men’s $10k event with a great blend of British and overseas players on the entry list. All the world’s top players sharpened their pro careers at this level, and a number of the players in action at Sunderland are steadily working their way up the rankings in their quest to reach the top.
With the Women’s draw being a higher ranking event, the line-up is particularly strong with the top 7 players all ranked inside the world’s top 200, a number of who will have just returned to Europe having competed in the Australian Open.
British number 2 Johanna Konta is the highest ranked player having climbed to 112 in 2013, who together with British number 4 Tara Moore will head up the British challenge. British number 7 Jade Windley, who used to train in Sunderland, will also be hoping to make a challenge for the title.
Former world junior number 1 (2011), An-Sophie Mestach is another playing returning from Australia, as is 23 year old Stephanie Vogt who reached a junior world ranking of 5 in 2008.
The highest ranked player in the Men’s event is British number 4 Dan Cox, currently ranked 250, whilst two title winner in 2013 Dan Smethurst will be looking to repeat his exploits of last year.
On returning to Sunderland, 23 year old Smethurst said ‘I’m really looking forward to coming back. Obviously I have good memories from last year, winning the singles and doubles titles, plus I won my first ever world ranking point at Sunderland Tennis Centre. We are made to feel very welcome by everyone, and I hope to do well again this year’.
The Women’s qualifying event which is Monday and Tuesday sees some local interest with Sabrina Bamburac, Grace Dixon from Whickham in action. In addition, Farah Abdel-Aziz from Stockton on Tees, and 16 year old Emma Wilson, from Cramlington, are also hoping to make qualifying.
Richard Joyner, Tournament Director, said ‘We’re really looking forward to returning to Sunderland. The women’s singles line up is particularly strong, with a number of players arriving having just been in Australia, and both events have a good blend of British and overseas players. Entry for spectators is free throughout the week, with courtside seating for the Women’s Singles final at 11.00am on Sunday 26 January. The whole week is a great way to see close up some of the world’s up and coming players’.
‘We are made to feel very welcome at the Centre, and in addition to the matches Graham Fowler, Tennis Development Officer for Sunderland, is organizing a number of tennis activities during the week. For further information on this contact Graham on 0191561 5901 or graham.fowler@sunderland.gov.uk.
Men’s qualifying is Sunday 19 & Monday 20 January, with main draw Tuesday 21 to Saturday 25 January, whilst women’s qualifying is Monday & Tuesday, with main draw Wednesday to Sunday.
Entry throughout the week is free to spectators, whilst you can follow the action through live scoring on www.lta.org.uk/aegongbproseries.