2013/05/23

Farmers Classic Discontinued; Tournament Sanction Sold to Bogota Group

(November 20, 2012) The Farmers Classic ATP  tournament has been discontinued, with its ATP sanction sold to a group in Bogota, Colombia.

Tennis Panorama News received the following email from the tournament on Tuesday  afternoon from tournament organizers:

 

Dear Loyal Farmers Classic Friend,

Back in 1927, who could have imagined a simple tennis tournament played on the intimate grounds of the Los Angeles Tennis Club would grow into the fantastic ATP professional men’s event held at UCLA. Over the years, we have been blessed to have the greatest names in tennis play on our Straus Stadium court: Connors, McEnroe, Borg, Edberg, Krajicek, Becker, Stich, Sampras, Agassi, Chang, Courier, Ivanisevic, Rafter, Kuerten, Hewitt, Safin, Roddick, Bryans, del Potro, Haas, Blake, Querrey, and Murray, just to name a few.

 

For the past 3-4 years, the Southern California Tennis Association and UCLA have been fighting to keep this historic ATP 250 event alive. The extended US economic slump, combined with the lack of available marquee players, and a scarcity of American tennis stars has now overcome our ability to continue covering the losses generated by the Tournament. The conditions outlined above were also significant factors in the non-renewal of our two principal sponsors, Farmers Insurance and Mercedes-Benz.

 

We have worked closely with the University, the local tennis community, the tennis industry, the ATP, the USTA, and others to find an acceptable solution. However, we have been unable to produce an acceptable resolution for saving the Tournament. Our search for a suitable investor or strategic partner, which would allow us to keep our event in Los Angeles and on the UCLA campus, has included more than a year of exploration and serious meetings, but has not yielded the results we had hoped for and needed. Regrettably, the only viable option is to discontinue holding the Tournament and sell our sanction to an interested party.

 

Therefore, and in consultation with UCLA, the SCTA Board of Directors recently voted to approve the sale of our ATP sanction to tennis interests in Bogota, Colombia. If approved by the ATP Board, the pending sale would take effect in 2013. In the meantime, the SCTA will continue to focus on its core mission of promoting and developing the growth of tennis, and will remain headquartered at UCLA for the foreseeable future.

 

In closing and on the eve of Thanksgiving, thank you very much for your dedicated support of the Farmers Classic and tennis throughout Southern California. Your interest and support have been essential for the ongoing success of the UCLA – Tennis Association partnership and are deeply appreciated.

 

Sincerely,

 

Bob Kramer

Tournament Director

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Querrey Captures Third Los Angeles Title

Sam Querrey has joined the ranks of Andre Agassi, Arthur Ashe and Jimmy Connors in winning his third title at the Farmers Classic in Los Angeles. On Sunday Querrey stopped first-time finalist Ricardas Berankis 6-0, 6-2 to extend his win streak in Los Angeles to 13.

“I feel like I always play well here,” said Querrey. “I grew up kind of playing around this area and I’m really comfortable out there on the courts. It’s fun to play in front of my friends and family. It all came together this week, and especially today.”

“I was nervous in the first set, that’s for sure. I didn’t play as I would like to play,” said Berankis. “In the second set, a couple of games, here and there, I loosened up a little bit. The crowd helped me. The crowd was great and I really enjoyed it. I was trying to stay focused and trying to do my best.”

Berankis had a career week as the first Lithuanian-born player to reach an ATP World Tour final.

Querrey’s win puts him in a first place tie in the Emirates US Open Series with Andy Roddick.

“I’m hoping I can just keep this up and play well the entire summer and keep going,” Querrey  said. “I’ve got Washington D.C. next week, so I’m just trying to continue to ride the train and hopefully play well all the way through the US Open.

“I’d love to be seeded at the Open, that’s one of my goals. I’m going to be pretty close after this week so hopefully with a few more good weeks I can make it into the Top 32 and be seeded there. And I’d love to get back into the Top 20, where I was a year-and-a-half ago, so that’s my big goal right now.”

The 24 year old is projected to move into the top 40 when the next rankings come out.

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Querrey into LA Final

Two-time  champion Sam Querrey advanced to the Farmers Classic final with a 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) win over Rajeev Ram.

2012 Farmers Classic, presented by Mercedes-Benz

Results for Saturday, July 28

Los Angeles Tennis Center-UCLA

SINGLES (Semifinals) – Ricardas Berankis, Lithuania, def. (6) Marinko Matosevic, Australia, 7-5, 6-1; (2) Sam Querrey, U.S., def. Rajeev Ram, U.S., 6-3, 7-6 (7-4).

DOUBLES (Semifinals) – (3) Jamie Delgado, Great Britain / Ken Skupski, Great Britain def. Tobias Kamke, Germany / Bjorn Phau, Germany, 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (10-8).

Evening session – Ruben Bemelmans, Belgium / Xavier Malisse, Belgium vs. Steve Johnson, U.S. / Sam Querrey, U.S.

2012 Farmers Classic, presented by Mercedes-Benz

Order of Play for Sunday, July 29

Los Angeles Tennis Center-UCLA

Straus Stadium (start 1 p.m.)

Singles, Final

Ricardas Berankis, Lithuania vs. (2) Sam Querrey, U.S.

(Not Before 3 p.m.)

Doubles, Final

Ruben Bemelmans, Belgium / Xavier Malisse, Belgium or Steve Johnson, U.S. / Sam Querrey, U.S. vs. (3) Jamie Delgado, Great Britain / Ken Skupski, Great Britain

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Berankis Into First ATP Final

By Curt Janka

Los Angeles – Although Lithuanian qualifier Ricardas Berankis was playing in his first ATP semifinal, he maintained his composure and elevated level of play to beat Marinko Matosevic 7-5, 6-1. With the win, Berankis reaches his first ATP final and is the first player from his country to do so.

 

Berankis was all smiles after his match. “It’s really amazing,” he said. “I really didn’t think of it before coming here. I mean, every athlete has to think of their best in the tournament, but the finalist? When you come to play qualies it’s difficult to think of the final.”

 

The match started out in a dead lock. The players had split their previous two meetings and through 10 games and neither could make a dent in the other’s serve. Serving at 5-5, Matosevic wavered and Berankis seized the opportunity. With the break in hand, Berankis quickly held to close out the first set.

 

Much like his match against Nicolas Mahut, Berankis started out the second set by grabbing the early break. From that point he never looked back. Matosevic had one look at a break when he got the first two points of the game with Berankis serving at 2-1. The frustration from not capitalizing on that opportunity seemed to break Matosevic as his opponent ran away with the rest of the match.

 

The coach who Berankis has been working with for 13 years, and who he calls a “second father,” flew into town today for the match. The coach left Lithuania yesterday for Washington, where they planned to meet after the tourney. Because things were going so well, they decided to get him on a flight at 6am this morning and he got to the tournament just 30 minutes before today’s match.

 

Berankis will play either Sam Querrey or Rajeev Ram in the final of The Farmers Classic.

 

Asked about his chances in the final, Berankis said “My game is improving every day. I’m feeling great on the court at the moment and looking forward to tomorrow.” He added that he would be looking to attack any second serves he gets.

 

While 2011 saw 10 first-time winners on the ATP tour, this year players attempting to win their first title have gone 0-10 in finals. Berankis hopes to add the title to his list of first this week.

 

Along with the other accomplishments Berankis is stacking up, today’s win puts him in a tie for 2nd on the Emirates US Open Series Bonus Challenge standings with Gilles Muller. The winner of the final will be tied for first with Andy Roddick.

 

 

 

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Querrey Eases Into Semifinals

 

Sam Querrey

By Curt Janka

Los Angeles – The Farmers Classic quarterfinal between Xavier Malisse and Sam Querrey looked like it was going to be the match of the day, on paper, but the contest was cut short. Malisse was forced to retire, trailing 2-6, 1-3. It was clear early on that Malisse was bothered by the knee injury he brought into the match. At first, it seemed the problem might have only been with the wrapping, as he had it re-wrapped twice before ultimately conceding the match to his opponent.

 

Asked about the trouble today, Malisse explained, “I’ve been having some knee problems in the last three weeks. It’s on and off every day and I just felt that today it was too tough. I couldn’t move like I wanted to. I felt like it was better for me to quit than to aggravate it. You know next week’s coming up too.”

 

“Sam played well,” he added.

 

Despite his agitated opponent, Querrey came out of the gate playing very well. His two biggest strengths, his serve and his forehand, were both decidedly on. The shame is that Malisse was also striking the ball well when he could get his feet in the right place.

 

Querrey liked his chances at winning regardless of his opponent’s fitness. “We’ve played twice in the past and both have been really close, so if he was healthy it would have been much tougher,” he told Tennis Panorama News. “I still feel like I’m playing well and I believe that I could win.“

 

Querrey will play Rajeev Ram in an all-American semifinal tomorrow. When asked what he has to do beat Ram, Querrey told Tennis Panorama News, “I’ve got to serve well and pass well. He’s one of those few guys that serve and volley. He makes you play some tough slices, so I’m going to have to focus on those two things.“

 

Querrey is looking to win this title for the third time, having won in 2009 and 2010.

Curt Janka is covering the Farmers Classic in Los Angeles for Tennis Panorama News. Follow his updates on twitter @TennisNewsTPN.  His personal twitter is @CurtJanka.
2012 Farmers Classic, presented by Mercedes-Benz

Results for Friday, July 27

Los Angeles Tennis Center-UCLA

SINGLES (Quarterfinals) – Ricardas Berankis, Lithuania, def. (4) Nicolas Mahut, France, 6-4, 6-4; Rajeev Ram, U.S., def. Leonardo Mayer, Argentina, 7-6 (7-3), 6-3; (6) Marinko Matosevic, Australia, def. Michael Russell, U.S., 6-2, 6-3; (2) Sam Querrey, U.S., def. (5) Xavier Malisse, Belgium, 6-2, 3-1 (ret.).

DOUBLES (Quarterfinals) – Jamie Delgado, Great Britain / Ken Skupski, Great Britain def. Rajeev Ram, U.S. / Michael Russell, U.S., walkover (injury default); Steve Johnson, U.S. / Sam Querrey, U.S. def. Raven Klaasen, South Africa / Adil Shamasdin, Canada, 7-6 (5), 6-4.

2012 Farmers Classic, presented by Mercedes-Benz

Order of Play for Saturday, July 28

Los Angeles Tennis Center-UCLA

Straus Stadium (start 1 p.m.)

Singles, Semifinals

(6) Marinko Matosevic, Australia vs. Ricardas Berankis, Lithuania

Doubles, Semifinals

(3) Jamie Delgado, Great Britain / Ken Skupski, Great Britain vs. Tobias Kamke, Germany / Bjorn Phau, Germany

(not before 7 p.m.)

Singles, Semifinals

Rajeev Ram, U.S. vs. (2) Sam Querrey, U.S.

Doubles, Semifinals

Ruben Bemelmans, Belgium / Xavier Malisse, Belgium vs. Steve Johnson, U.S. / Sam Querrey, U.S.

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Berankis Stuns Mahut at Farmers Classic

By Curt Janka

Los Angeles – Qualifier Ricardas Berankis made upsetting the number four seed look routine in a straight sets win over Nicolas Mahut in the first quarterfinal of The Farmers Classic. Ranked No. 141, Berankis needed just one break in each set to dismiss his opponent, 6-4, 6-4.

 

Despite holding the top junior ranking spot in 2007, Berankis has been slow to break through at ATP events. The win earns him his first semifinal on the tour. Bernakis is just 22-years-old and the youngest player left in the draw. Sidelined by an injury for the first half of the season, he’s only been playing since June and is happy with his progress saying, “So far, so good.”

 

Mahut struggled to return the Lithuanian’s serve throughout the match. Berankis further frustrated Mahut by saving all three break chances he faced. On the other hand, Berankis seemed to get more returns in, keeping pressure on Mahut’s serve with nine break chances in the first set alone.

 

The turning point in the match came in the ninth game of the first set. Both players had been holding fairly easily to that point and suddenly Mahut found himself fending off 6 break points before conceding the break after nine deuce points.

“I got lucky on a couple points,” said Berankis. “I’m happy I was able to control my emotions and play well.”

 

Berankis held quickly after that to close out the first set and continued the run by breaking Mahut in the opening game of the second set. From then on, both players protected their serve without much tension until the end of the match. Facing three match points, Mahut was able to save two before Berankis converted on his third chance.

 

This may be the furthest Berankis has advanced in an ATP event, but his run may not end yet. He will either face another unseeded player in Michael Russell or sixth-seeded Marinko Matosevic in the semifinal, which can only be viewed as a golden opportunity to debut in a final. Asked about the opportunity he said, “The first time is always unbelievable and something new. I hope that tomorrow I can continue doing the way I am now.”

 

While Berankis did not qualify for the Olympics this year, he hopes to represent Lithuania at the next games in Brazil.

Curt Janka is covering the Farmers Classic in Los Angeles for Tennis Panorama News. Follow his updates on twitter @TennisNewsTPN.  His personal twitter is @CurtJanka.

 

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Russell knocks out Top Seed Paire in Los Angeles

 

2012 Farmers Classic, presented by Mercedes-Benz

Results for Thursday, July 26

Los Angeles Tennis Center-UCLA

 

SINGLES (Second Round) –  Ricardas Berankis, Lithuania, def. Igor Andreev, Russia, 6-4, 7-5; (6) Marinko Matosevic, Australia, def. Tobias Kamke, Germany, 6-3, 1-6, 6-0; (5) Xavier Malisse, Belgium, def. Matthew Ebden, Australia, 6-4, 6-3; (4) Nicolas Mahut, France, def. Paolo Lorenzi, Italy, 7-5, 7-6 (9-7); Michael Russell, U.S. def. (1) Benoit Paire, France, 7-5, 6-4.

 

DOUBLES (First Round) – Raven Klaasen, South Africa / Adil Shamasdin, Canada def. Flavio Cipolla, Italy / Leonardo Mayer, Argentina, 6-4, 6-2; (3) Jamie Delgado, Great Britain / Ken Skupski, Great Britain def. James Cerretani, U.S. / Igor Sijsling, The Netherlands, 6-4, 2-6, 12-10; Steve Johnson, U.S. / Sam Querrey, U.S. def. (4) Matthew Ebden, Australia / Dominic Inglot, Great Britain, 6-3, 6-3.

            Quarterfinals –Ruben Bemelmans, Belgium / Xavier Malisse, Belgium, def. (1) Santiago Gonzalez, Mexico / Scott Lipsky, U.S., 6-3, 7-5; Tobias Kamke, Germany / Bjorn Phau, Germany, def. Olivier Charron, France / John Paul Fruttero, U.S., 6-4, 4-6, 10-5

 

 

2012 Farmers Classic, presented by Mercedes-Benz

Order of Play for Friday, July 27

Los Angeles Tennis Center-UCLA

 

Straus Stadium (start noon)

Singles, Quarterfinals

(4) Nicolas Mahut, France vs. Ricardas Berankis, Lithuania

 

(not before 2 p.m.)

Rajeev Ram, U.S. vs. (3) Leonardo Mayer, Argentina

Michael Russell, U.S. vs. (6) Marinko Matosevic, Australia

 

(not before 7:30 p.m.)

(5) Xavier Malisse, Belgium vs. (2) Sam Querrey, U.S.

 

Doubles, Quarterfinals

Steve Johnson, U.S. / Sam Querrey, U.S. vs. Raven Klaaasen, South Africa / Adil Shamasdin, Canada

 

 

Grandstand Court (not before 5 p.m.)

Doubles, Quarterfinals

Rajeev Ram, U.S. / Michael Russell, U.S. vs. (3) Jamie Delgado, Great Britain / Ken Skupski, Great Britain

 

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Querrey and Mayer Advance in Los Angeles

2012 Farmers Classic, presented by Mercedes-Benz

Results for Wednesday, July 25

Los Angeles Tennis Center-UCLA

SINGLES (Second Round) – (3) Leonardo Mayer, Argentina, def. Flavio Cipolla, Italy, 6-0, 4-0 (ret.); Rajeev Ram, U.S., def. Paul Capdeville, Chile, 6-3, 6-1; (2) Sam Querrey, U.S., def. Igor Sijsling, The Netherlands, 6-2, 6-2.

DOUBLES (First Round) – Ruben Bemelmans, Belgium / Xavier Malisse, Belgium, def. Paolo Lorenzi, Italy / Benoit Paire, France, 6-2, 7-6 (7-4); Olivier Charroin, France / John Paul Fruttero, U.S., def. Marcel Felder, Uruguay / Dudi Sela, Israel, 7-5, 7-5; (1) Santiago Gonzalez, Mexico / Scott Lipsky, U.S., def. Chris Guccione, Australia / Marinko Matosevic, Australia, 6-4, 6-4.

Late match, Evening session – Rajeev Ram, U.S. / Michael Russell, U.S. vs. Marcos Giron, U.S. / Nicolas Meister, U.S.

2012 Farmers Classic, presented by Mercedes-Benz

Order of Play for Thursday, July 26

Los Angeles Tennis Center-UCLA

Straus Stadium (start noon)

Doubles, First Round

Raven Klaasen, South Africa / Adil Shamasdin, Canada, vs. Flavio Cipolla, Italy / Leonardo Mayer, Argentina

(not before 2 p.m.)

Singles, Second Round

(5) Xavier Malisse, Belgium, vs. Matthew Ebden, Australia

(4) Nicolas Mahut, France, vs. Paolo Lorenzi, Italy

(not before 7:30 p.m.)

Singles, Second Round

(1) Benoit Paire, France, vs. Michael Russell, U.S.

Doubles, First Round

Matthew Ebden, Australia / Dominic Inglot, Great Britain, vs. Steve Johnson, U.S. / Sam Querrey, U.S.

Grandstand Court (start noon)

Singles, Second Round

Igor Andreev, Russia, vs. Ricardas Berankis, Lithuania

Tobias Kamke, Germany, vs. (6) Marinko Matosevic, Australia

Doubles, First Round

James Cerretani, U.S. / Igor Sijsling, The Netherlands, vs. (3) Jamie Delgado, Great Britain / Ken Skupski, Great Britain

Ruben Bemelmans, Belgium / Xavier Malisse, Belgium, vs. (1) Santiago Gonzalez, Mexico / Scott Lipsky, U.S.

Doubles, Second Round

Olivier Charroin, France / John Paul Fruttero, U.S., vs. Tobias Kamke, Germany / Bjorn Phau, Germany

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Farmers Classic – Tuesday Results, Wednesday Schedule

2012 Farmers Classic, presented by Mercedes-Benz

Results for Tuesday, July 24

Los Angeles Tennis Center-UCLA

 

SINGLES (First Round) – Michael Russell, U.S., def. Jesse Levine, U.S., 6-3, 6-4; Igor Andreev, Russia, def. Dudi Sela, Israel, 7-6 (7-4), 6-4; (5) Xavier Malisse, Belgium, def. Nicolas Meister, U.S., 6-4, 6-1; Matthew Ebden, Australia, def. Michael Berrer, Germany, 4-6, 6-2, 7-6 (7-4); Paolo Lorenzi, Italy, def. Bradley Klahn, U.S., 6-4, 3-6, 6-0; Tobias Kamke, Germany, def. James Blake, U.S., 6-2, 5-7, 7-6 (7-4).

 

Evening Session – Chris Guccione, Australia, vs. (6) Marinko Matosevic, Australia; Steve Johnson, U.S., vs. Igor Sijsling, The Netherlands; Ricardas Berankis, Lithuania, vs. (7) Bjorn Phau, Germany.

 

 

2012 Farmers Classic, presented by Mercedes-Benz

Order of Play for Wednesday, July 25

Los Angeles Tennis Center-UCLA

 

Straus Stadium (start 2:00 p.m.)

Singles, Second Round

Flavio Cipolla, Italy, vs. (3) Leonardo Mayer, Argentina

Rajeev Ram, U.S., vs. Paul Capdeville, Chile

 

(Not Before 7:45 p.m.)

Singles, Second Round

Steve Johnson, U.S., or Igor Sijsling, The Netherlands, vs. (2) Sam Querrey, U.S.

Doubles, First Round

Rajeev Ram, U.S. / Michael Russell, U.S., vs. Marcos Giron, U.S. / Nicolas Meister, U.S.

 

Grandstand Court (start 2:00 p.m.)

Doubles, First Round

Ruben Bemelmans, Belgium / Xavier Malisse, Belgium, vs. Paolo Lorenzi, Italy / Benoit Paire, France

Marcel Felder, Uruguay / Dudi Sela, Israel, vs. Olivier Charroin, France / John Paul Fruttero, U.S.

(1) Santiago Gonzalez, Mexico / Scott Lipsky, U.S., vs. Chris Guccione, Australia / Marinko Matosevic, Australia

 

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Farmers Classic Results and Schedule

2012 Farmers Classic Results

Monday, July 23

Los Angeles Tennis Center-UCLA

SINGLES (First Round) – Paul Capdeville, Chile, def. Igor Kunitsyn, Russia, 6-4, 7-6 (7-5); Flavio Cipolla, Italy, def. Jack Sock, U.S.; 6-3, 6-1.

(Evening session) Brian Baker, U.S., vs. Rajeev Ram, U.S.

DOUBLES (First Round) – Tobias Kamke, Germany / Bjorn Phau, Germany, def. Colin Ebelthite, Australia / Jonathan Marray, Great Britain, 6-2, 1-6, 11-9.

QUALIFYING

Singles (Final Round) – Bradley Klahn, U.S., def. Alex Kuznetsov, U.S., 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (7-2); Chris Guccione, Australia, def. Louk Sorensen, Ireland, 6-2, 6-3; Nicolas Meister, U.S., def. Jimmy Wang, Taiwan, 6-4, 7-6 (7-3); Ricardas Berankis, Lithuania, def. Marcel Felder, Uruguay, 6-2, 6-3.

2012 Farmers Classic Order of Play

Tuesday, July 24

Los Angeles Tennis Center-UCLA

First Round

Straus Stadium (start 2:00 p.m.)

Jesse Levine, U.S., vs. Michael Russell, U.S.

(5) Xavier Malisse, Belgium, vs. Nicolas Meister, U.S.

(Not Before 7:30 p.m.)

Tobias Kamke, Germany, vs. James Blake, U.S.

Steve Johnson, U.S., vs. Igor Sijsling, The Netherlands

Grandstand Court (start 2:00 p.m.)

Dudi Sela, Israel, vs. Igor Andreev, Russia

Michael Berrer, Germany, vs. Matthew Ebden, Australia

Bradley Klahn, U.S., vs. Paolo Lorenzi, Italy

Chris Guccione, Australia, vs. Marinko Matosevic, Australia

Ricardas Berankis, Lithuania, vs. Bjorn Phau, Germany

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