U.S. at Uzbekistan in Make-or-Break Davis Cup Playoffs in September
It will be untrodden territory for the U.S. Davis Cup team on Sept. 18-20, 2015 when they travel to Uzbekistan for the first time for the Davis Cup World Group Playoffs round, to be played on a surface of the host’s choice.
The Davis Cup World Group Playoffs round winners will play in the elite World Group in 2016, while the losers will be relegated to zonal play.
The last time the U.S. was bumped from the World Group was 1988 when Boris Becker led a 3-2 victory for Germany, beating John McEnroe 4-6, 15-13, 8-10, 6-2, 6-2 in the opening singles, and in the fifth and deciding match beating Tim Mayotte in five sets.
Uzbekistan is 0-8 in the Davis Cup World Group Playoffs round, and is led by No. 73-ranked Denis Istomin. The current top three U.S. singles players are John Isner at No. 18, No. 31 Jack Sock, and No. 34 Sam Querrey.
In other playoff round matches, 2014 Davis Cup champion Switzerland will host the Netherlands, with Japan at Colombia, the three-time champion Czech Republic at India, Italy at Russia, Germany at the Dominican Republic, Croatia at Brazil, and Slovakia at Poland. Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Poland and Uzbekistan, all hosting ties, have never reached the World Group.
Russia reached the playoffs round by shocking five-time Davis Cup champion Spain, which was without Rafael Nadal, from 0-2 matches down in the tie, relegating the Spaniards to zonal play in 2016.
For more info go to www.daviscup.com.
Gainesville Community Tennis Fundraiser in August
The Gainesville Area Community Tennis Association (GACTA) is hosting its 2nd Annual Bryan Shelton Celebration of Tennis on Friday, Aug. 21 through Saturday, Aug. 22, 2015 to benefit its tennis outreach program Aces in Motion.
“Our two-part event will feature an evening celebration, Aim for the Stars, on Friday at the Gainesville Woman’s Club from 6:30-10 p.m.,” says GACTA Executive Director Addison Staples. “We sold out our tickets last year, and it was great fun. Bright and early Saturday morning, we’ll begin our ‘Let’s Make a Racket’ tennis clinic and exhibition at DB Racquet Club with check-in starting at 8:30 a.m.”
Tickets for the Friday evening celebration are $50 each, and for the Saturday morning tennis event $30 each, with a $10 adult spectator fee. Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.gainesvilletennis.org or at http://gactafundraiser.eventbrite.com.
“Friday evening, Aim for the Stars will feature live music by Gainesville favorites Gosia and Ali,” Staples says. “Dinner will be catered by Southern Charm Kitchen. A raffle and silent auction, keynote speaker Bryan Shelton, UF men’s head tennis coach, and presentations by AIM participants will fill out the evening.”
The Let’s Make a Racket tennis clinic will feature local tennis professionals and an exhibition, with refreshments provided by Bagel Bakery and Mojo Hogtown Bar-B-Que.
The Gainesville Area Community Tennis Association is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization that promotes health, character development and education through tennis. GACTA’s Aces in Motion program focuses on under-served youth of all abilities living in Gainesville, Florida. AIM uses tennis to help improve the lives of primarily low-income students, from elementary school through high school, with an emphasis on physical fitness, character development and improving study skills and academic performance. AIM’s long-term goal is to help participants live healthier lives and develop the skills necessary to escape poverty by enrolling in programs that lead to productive career pathways.
For more information on this fundraising event, the Gainesville Area Community Tennis Association, Aces in Motion, or its other programs, visit www.gainesvilletennis.org. and www.acesinmotion.org
