Popko Follows Sunrise Win with Orange Park Florida Tennis Title

Kazakhstan’s Dmitry Popko won his second USTA Pro Circuit title in as many weeks on Sunday, defeating No. 4 seed Agustin Velotti of Argentina 6-0, 5-7, 6-3 in the final of the $15,000 Eagle Landing Tennis Classic in Orange Park, Fla.

The unseeded 22 year old was coming off a tournament win in Sunrise, Fla., and is climbing back to the Top 500 toward his career-high of No. 182 reached in 2017.

The 6-foot-3 Russian-born player en route to the final beat American qualifier John Richmond, No. 3 seed Felipe Mantilla of Colombia, Bulgarian Adrian Andreev, and in the semifinals Jose Olivares of the Dominican Republic.

It was Popko’s sixth title this year and 17th of his career. The 26-year-old Velotti, the 2010 French Open boys’ winner, had an 0-5 losing streak entering the tournament, but this year has won consecutive $15,000 ITF events in Anning, China.

In the doubles final Velotti and Argentine compatriot Juan Ignacio Galarza beat No. 3-seeded Americans Harrison Adams and Junior Ore 7-6(6), 6-7(3), 10-5 for the title.

The USTA Pro Circuit is the pathway to the US Open and tour-level competition for aspiring tennis players and a frequent battleground for established professionals. Andy Murray, Maria Sharapova, John Isner, Sloane Stephens, Kei Nishikori, Victoria Azarenka, and Sam Querrey are among today’s top stars who began their careers on the USTA Pro Circuit. For more info go to www.procircuit.usta.com.