2013/06/19

Lauren Davis Beats Shelby Rogers for Party Rock Open Singles Title

Photo by Craig Glover / Party Rock Open

By Steve Pratt
LAS VEGAS (Sept. 30, 2012) – The physical toll of the last three weeks of pro-level tournament tennis – including two consecutive USTA Pro Circuit finals — finally hit Lauren Davis on the final day of the Party Rock Open.
Davis had to call a medical timeout down a set but up 5-2 in the second against 19-year-old Shelby Rogers and got physically sick while seated in her chair. But unlike coming up on the losing end in last week’s Albuquerque final, Davis bounced out of her chair and proceeded to win the next game and then dug deep to win the third set to capture the first Party Rock Open singles title in the Las Vegas USTA Women’s $50,000 Pro Circuit event sponsored by international celebrity Redfoo, 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-2.
“I think I was just dehydrated,” said Davis after the match. “That’s never happened to me in a match like that (throwing up on court), but it has in practice. I had three late night matches and I think it was all just a little bit too much.”
Davis, 18, will crack the world WTA Top 100 rankings for the first time in her career when the new rankings are released on Monday. She will also stop off at the bank to deposit her winning $7,315 check.
“At the start of the year I had a goal to break into the Top 100 before my 19th birthday, so I guess I made it,” said Davis, who turns 19 in two weeks.
The week before Albuquerque, Davis qualified and then reached the quarterfinals of a WTA event in Quebec City.
In the doubles final, the top-seeded team of Anastasia Rodionova and Arina Rodionova beat Elena Bovina of Russia and Edina Gallovits-Hall of Romania, 6-2, 2-6, 10-6.
Sunday’s Final Singles Score
Lauren Davis (2), U.S., def. Shelby Rogers, U.S., 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-2
Sunday’s Final Doubles Score
Anastasia Rodionova, Australia-Arina Rodionova (1), Russia, vs. Elena Bovina, Russia-Edina Gallovits-Hall (4), Romania, 6-2, 2-6, 10-6
The tournament’s official website is www.partyrockopen.com. To learn more about Redfoo and Party Rock Clothing, go to www.partyrockclothing.com.
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Two American Teenagers to Meet in Party Rock Open Final

Photo by Craig Glover / Party Rock Open

By Steve Pratt
LAS VEGAS (Sept. 29, 2012) – Two American teenagers will meet for the inaugural Party Rock Open singles title, battling for the opportunity to be presented with the champion’s trophy by global celebrity Redfoo.
Shelby Rogers, 19, or Charleston, S.C., will take on 18-year-old No. 2-seed Lauren Davis of Cleveland, Ohio, in the 1 p.m. Sunday final at the Party Rock Open, a women’s $50,000 USTA Pro Circuit event sponsored by Redfoo’s Party Rock clothing line.
Davis held on to beat Russian-born Australian Anastasia Rodionova, 6-4, 6-7 (6), 6-4 and Rogers beat qualifier Adriana Perez of Venezuela, 7-6 (5), 6-2.
Just last week in the first round of the Albuquerque, N.M., USTA Pro Circuit event Davis beat Rogers 6-3 in the third. “The match went like three and a half hours,” Rogers said. “That was really a tough one to lose.”
In between the two semifinal matches on Saturday night, a festive crowd of approximately 1,000 looked on as Redfoo sung two of LMFAO’s chart-topping songs while a slew of kids stormed the stadium court at Darling Center in a Flash Mob dance-off.
“Tonight was really an unprecedented night in USTA women’s pro circuit history,” said co-tournament director Tyler Weekes. “We had a seven-time Grammy Award winner on our courts between matches singing his popular songs. It really was an amazing night.”
Added co-tournament director Jordan Butler: “Wow. Just check out our Facebook page to see the energy and excitement the Flash Mob created. Redfoo singing ‘I’m Sexy and I Know It’ and the ‘Party Rock Anthem.’ Las Vegas and the great tennis community here were treated to a special night tonight thanks Redfoo.”
In the doubles final to follow on Sunday, the top-seeded team of Anastasia Rodionova and Arina Rodionova will face Elena Bovina of Russia and Edina Gallovits-Hall of Romania.
Log onto www.RadioTennis.com to hear Ken Thomas do his live Internet stream at the Patry Rock Open through Sunday.
Saturday’s Semifinal Singles Scores
q: qualifier; wc: wild card
Singles Quarterfinals
Shelby Rogers, U.S., def. Adriana Perez (q), Venezuela, 7-6 (5), 6-2
Lauren Davis (2), U.S., def. Anastasia Rodionova (4), Australia, 6-4, 6-7 (6), 6-4
Sunday’s Finals Schedule
Stadium Court starting at 1 p.m.
Lauren Davis (2), U.S., vs. Shelby Rogers, U.S.
Followed by Doubles Finals
Anastasia Rodionova, Australia-Arina Rodionova (1), Russia, vs. Elena Bovina, Russia-Edina Gallovits-Hall (4), Romania,
The tournament’s official website is www.partyrockopen.com. To learn more about Redfoo and Party Rock Clothing, go to www.partyrockclothing.com.
The Party Rock Open is presented by Nevada Orthopedic & Spine Center, Las Vegas’ premier orthopedics group. Other sponsors include: USTA-Nevada, CourtThink, LLC, Agent Atleta, Ltd., WG Communications Group, Cox Communications, ESPN 1110 AM, The Point 97.1, 98.5 KLUC, your local All State Insurance agent Dwain Frazier, Marty Hennessey Foundation, Ryan Wolfington, Granello Bakery, Solinco strings, Western Cab Company, Marquis Aurbach and Coffing, www.10sBalls.com, ASICS, Marcy Saxe at Realty One Group, and Perrier water.
Follow along on Twitter @partyrockopen and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/partyrockopen.com.
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Rogers Advances to Semis of Party Rock Open

Shelby Rogers by Craig Glover / Party Rock Open

By Steve Pratt
LAS VEGAS (Sept. 28, 2012) – Working with her new USTA-appointed travel coach this week, 19-year-old American Shelby Rogers scored a solid 6-3, 6-4 win over former world Top 15 player Elena Bovina of Russia on Friday at the Party Rock Open, a women’s $50,000 USTA Pro Circuit event sponsored by Redfoo of the hit group LMFAO and being played at the Darling Tennis Center.
Rogers said teaming with her new coach Sylvan Guichard from the USTA has been huge for her game in just the short one week they’ve worked together. “He’s just been incredible with me this week,” Rogers said. “I think he’s helped my serve this week. I’ve just been having fun and going after my shots.”
Rogers, from Charleston, S.C., and ranked No. 243 in the world, will play qualifier Adriana Perez of Venezuela in the first semifinal on Saturday at 4 p.m. Perez turned in an impressive performance beating American teenager Jessica Pegula, 2-6, 7-5, 7-6 (5), in another three-hour plus match on Friday.
In the other Party Rock Open semifinal it will be No. 2-seeded Lauren Davis meeting No. 4 seed Anastasia Rodionova of Australia, in the 6 p.m. semifinal. In the late match on Friday, it was Davis beating Mallory Burdette, the No. 7 seed, 6-3, 7-5.
Rogers is playing her third Las Vegas USTA Pro Circuit event and said she just loves all things Las Vegas. “It’s definitely a nice change having the tournament at the Darling Tennis Center,” she said. “It’s been a fun tournament. I’ve been relaxed which has been huge. It’s been good for me to keep it relaxed and fun.”
Rogers held a 5-2 lead in the second set but Bovina held serve and came back to make it 5-4 before Rogers broke serve to win the match.
Rogers said she was aware of the fact that Bovina – a former US Open quarterfinalist – was down 5-1 in the third set in her second-round match against American Chi Chi Scholl but came back to win. “I knew she would give it her all to come back and wasn’t going to give me anything,” she said. “So I was ready for it, but I couldn’t do much about it until 5-4. She’s so experienced so this was nothing new to her.”
Rogers found her self down 4-1 yesterday in the first set to Stephanie Dubois but came back to win the set in a tiebreaker and the match in straight sets.
“Trust in my game is one of the key factors,” she said. “I won my first pro tournament earlier this year winning the Yakima USTA Pro Circuit. I’m feeling good now and healthy.”
In the doubles semifinals on Friday, the top-seeded team of Anastasia Rodionova and Arina Rodionova beat Pegula and Marie-Eve Pelletier of Canada, 6-2, 6-4 to reach the Sunday final. They will oppose Bovina and Edina Gallovits-Hall of Romania.
Log onto www.RadioTennis.com to hear Ken Thomas do his live Internet stream at the Patry Rock Open through Sunday.
Friday’s Scores
q: qualifier; wc: wild card
Singles Quarterfinals
Anastasia Rodionova (4), Australia, def. Heidi El Tabakh, Canada, 6-3, 5-7, 6-3
Shelby Rogers, U.S., def. Elena Bovina, Russia, 6-3, 6-4
Adriana Perez, Venezuela, def. Jessica Pegula, U.S., 2-6, 7-5, 7-6 (5)
Lauren Davis (2), U.S., def. Mallory Burdette (7), U.S., 6-3, 7-5
Doubles Semifinals
Anastasia Rodionova, Australia-Arina Rodionova (1), Russia, def. Jessica Pegula, U.S.-Marie-Eve Pelletier (3), Canada, 6-2, 6-4
Elena Bovina, Russia-Edina Gallovits-Hall (4), Romania, def. Nicole Rottmann, Austria-Lenka Wienerova, Slovakia, 6-3, 6-2
Saturday’s Semifinal Singles Schedule
Stadium Court starting at 4 p.m.
Adriana Perez, Venezuela, vs. Shelby Rogers, U.S.,
Not before 6:30 p.m.
Anastasia Rodionova (4), Australia, vs. Lauren Davis (2), U.S.
The tournament’s official website is www.partyrockopen.com. To learn more about Redfoo and Party Rock Clothing, go to www.partyrockclothing.com.
The Party Rock Open is presented by Nevada Orthopedic & Spine Center, Las Vegas’ premier orthopedics group. Other sponsors include: USTA-Nevada, CourtThink, LLC, Agent Atleta, Ltd., WG Communications Group, Cox Communications, ESPN 1110 AM, The Point 97.1, 98.5 KLUC, your local All State Insurance agent Dwain Frazier, Marty Hennessey Foundation, Ryan Wolfington, Granello Bakery, Solinco strings, Western Cab Company, Marquis Aurbach and Coffing, www.10sBalls.com, ASICS, Marcy Saxe at Realty One Group, and Perrier water.
Follow along on Twitter @partyrockopen and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/partyrockopen.com.
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Davis Defeats Local Favorite Muhammad at Party Rock Open

By Steve Pratt
LAS VEGAS (Sept. 27, 2012) – Americans Jessica Pegula, Shelby Rogers, Mallory Burdette and Lauren Davis all won second-round singles matches on Day 3 of main-draw action at the Party Rock Open, a women’s $50,000 USTA Pro Circuit event sponsored by Redfoo of the hit group LMFAO and being played at the Darling Tennis Center.
The No. 2-seeded Davis from Cleveland, Ohio, took out local favorite and wild card Asia Muhammad of Las Vegas on Thursday night, 6-3, 6-3, in the night match with Redfoo looking on.
The 18-year-old Davis said she tried to use the crowd cheering for her opponent to her advantage. “I can see it getting kind of annoying but I think I do a good job of not letting outside things bother me,” Davis said. “You really can’t benefit from getting mad so I don’t get mad. I tried to win every single point just so they would be quiet. So you can say I kind of tried to use it to my advantage.”
Another 18-year-old, Pegula, had the easiest time getting to the quarterfinals as she beat Petra Rampre of Slovenia, 6-1, 6-3. On Tuesday night, Rampre took out top-seeded Edina Gallovits-Hall, 6-1, 6-1.
Rogers, of Charleston, S.C., beat Stephanie Dubois of Canada, 7-6 (3) 6-4, and Burdette won her second straight match as a professional as the No. 7 seed took out fellow American Madison Brengle, 6-3, 6-3.
The sister vs. sister match never got going Thursday as Anastasia Rodionova of Australia beat her sister Arina Rodionova of Russia, who retired down 5-2.
But later in the day Arina felt well enough to play doubles with her sis as the top-seeded duo beat Maria Abramovic of Croatia and Amra Sadikovic of Switzerland, 6-3, 7-6 (2) to advance to the doubles semis on Friday.
Log onto www.RadioTennis.com to hear Ken Thomas do his live Internet stream at the Patry Rock Open through Sunday.
Thursday’s Scores
q: qualifier; wc: wild card
Main Draw Singles Second Round
Jessica Pegula, U.S., def. Petra Rampre, Slovenia, 6-1, 6-3
Adirana Perez, Venezuela, def. Maria Abramovic, Croatia, 6-4, 6-4
Anastasia Rodionova, Australia, def. Arina Rodionova, Russia, 5-2, retired
Heidi El Tabakh (8), Canada, def. Marie-Eve Pelletier, Canada, 6-4, 5-7, 6-2
Shelby Rogers, U.S., def. Stephanie Dubois, Canada, 7-6 (3) 6-4
Elena Bovina, Russia, def. Chi Chi Scholl, U.S., 5-7, 6-0, 7-6 (2)
Lauren Davis (2), U.S., def. Asia Muhammad (wc), U.S., 6-3, 6-3
Mallory Burdette (7), U.S., def. Madison Brengle, U.S., 6-3, 6-3
Main Draw Doubles Quarterfinals
Jessica Pegula, U.S.-Marie-Eve Pelletier (3), Canada, def. Lena Litvak, U.S.-Nicole Melichar, U.S., 6-4, 6-1
Arina Rodionova, Russia-Anastasia Rodionova (1), Australia, def. Maria Abramovic, Croatia-Amra Sadikovic, Switzerland, 6-3, 7-6 (2)
Nicole Rottmann, Austria-Lenka Wienerova, Slovakia, def. MacCall Harkins, U.S.-Chieh-Yu Hsu, U.S., 3-6, 6-4, 10-3
Elena Bovina, Romania-Edina Gallovits-Hall (4), Romania, def. Shelby Rogers, U.S.-Ashley Weinhold, U.S., 6-3, 7-5
Friday’s Schedule
Stadium Court starting at 11 a.m.
Heidi El Tabakh, Canada, vs. Anastasia Rodionova (4), Australia
Followed by Elena Bovina, Russia, vs. Shelby Rogers, U.S.
After suitable rest: Anastasia Rodionova, Australia-Arina Rodionova (1), Russia, vs. Jessica Pegula, U.S.-Marie-Eve Pelletier (3), Canada
Court 11 starting at 6 p.m.
Mallory Burdette (7), U.S., vs. Lauren Davis (2), U.S.
Court 11 starting at 11 a.m.
Jessica Pegula, U.S., vs. Adriana Perez, Venezuela
After rest, Elena Bovina, Romania-Edina Gallovits-Hall (4), Romania, vs. Nicole Rottmann, Austria-Lenka Wienerova, Slovakia
The tournament’s official website is www.partyrockopen.com. To learn more about Redfoo and Party Rock Clothing, go to www.partyrockclothing.com.
The Party Rock Open is presented by Nevada Orthopedic & Spine Center, Las Vegas’ premier orthopedics group. Other sponsors include: USTA-Nevada, CourtThink, LLC, Agent Atleta, Ltd., WG Communications Group, Cox Communications, ESPN 1110 AM, The Point 97.1, 98.5 KLUC, your local All State Insurance agent Dwain Frazier, Marty Hennessey Foundation, Ryan Wolfington, Solinco strings, Western Cab Company, Marquis Aurbach and Coffing, www.10sBalls.com, ASICS, Marcy Saxe at Realty One Group, and Perrier water.
Follow along on Twitter @partyrockopen and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/partyrockopen.com.
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Las Vegas Wild Card Asia Muhammad Wins First Round at Party Rock Open

By Steve Pratt
LAS VEGAS (Sept. 26, 2012) – Local wild card Asia Muhammad used the home-court and crowd to her advantage on Wednesday night, beating qualifier Gabriela Dabrowski of Canada, 6-3, 5-7, 6-2, in the first round of the Party Rock Open, a women’s $50,000 USTA Pro Circuit event sponsored by Redfoo of the hit group LMFAO and being played at the Darling Tennis Center.
Redfoo watched from the stands as Muhammad got through the match, setting up a second-round showdown with No. 2-seeded American Lauren Davis, who Muhammad lost to last year in their only professional meeting. The match will be the featured night match on Stadium Court Thursday night beginning at 6 p.m.
“There was a time not long ago when I would have just folded in that third set and my whole game would have gone south, when I wanted to get off the court as fast as I could,” Muhammad said. “But I’ve been working on my mental game and once I hit the third set tonight I just felt so refreshed and was able to push through.”
Muhammad, 21, was a finalist at this event in 2008 as a 17-year-old, but says it doesn’t really feel that long ago. “Because we’ve been to different venues, it doesn’t even really feel like the same tournament,” she said. “It can be nerve-wracking at times being the local favorite because people want to see me do well, and I want to do well.”
Earlier in the day, Davis avenged a recent defeat to American Maria Sanchez, who she lost to on Sunday 6-1, 6-1, in the finals at Albuquerque $75,000 USTA Pro Circuit event. Davis dropped the first set, 6-2, but the heat seemed to get to the fatigued Sanchez, who dropped the next two sets, 6-2, 6-3.
Playing in her first match since winning the U.S. Open Junior singles title, USTA wild card Samantha Crawford fell in her opening match to No. 4-seeded Anastasia Rodionova, a Russian representing Australia, 6-4, 6-3.
“It does feel a little different that people may know me a little more now,” said the Atlanta native Crawford, 17. “Even now after a few weeks I still can’t believe I won the Junior US Open.”
Rodionova next plays her sister and doubles partner Arina in a second-round singles match. Later in the day, the two play doubles and are the tournament’s top-seeded team.
A day after losing the No. 1 and 3 seeds, the tournament on Wednesday also lost the No. 5 seed as Maria Abramovic of Croatia defeated Irina Falconi, 7-5, 6-1.
In the first match of the day, unseeded American Jessica Pegula advanced to the second round after wild card and 2010 NCAA singles champion Chelsey Gullickson was forced to retire because of flu-like symptoms.
Log onto www.RadioTennis.com to hear Ken Thomas do his live Internet stream at the Patry Rock Open through Sunday.
Wednesday’s Scores
q: qualifier; wc: wild card
Main Draw Singles
Jessica Pegula, U.S., def. Chelsey Gullickson (wc), U.S., 5-2, retired (illness)
Heidi El Tabakh (8), Canada, def. Ashley Weinhold, U.S., 3-6, 6-3, 6-2
Shelby Rogers, U.S., def. Grace Min, U.S., 6-4, 6-0
Elena Bovina, Russia, def. Julia Bosserup, U.S., 1-6, 6-4, 7-5
Maria Abramovic, Croatia, def. Irina Falconi (5), U.S., 7-5, 6-1
Lauren Davis (2), U.S., def. Maria Sanchez, U.S., 2-6, 6-2, 6-3
Arina Rodionova (q), Russia, def. Ksenia Lykina, Russia, 3-6, 6-1, 7-6 (2)
Anastasia Rodionova (4), Australia, def. Samantha Crawford (wc), U.S., 6-4, 6-3
Marie-Eve Pelletier, Canada, def. Jennifer Elie (q), U.S., 6-3, 6-7 (4), 6-2
Stephanie Dubois, Canada, def. Alison Riske (6), U.S., 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (3)
Arina Rodionova (q), Russia, def. Ksenia Lykina, Russia, 3-6, 6-1, 7-6 (2)
Madison Brengle, U.S. def. Allie Will (wc), U.S., 6-1, 6-7 (5), 6-3
Adriana Perez (q), Venezuela, def. Veronica Cepede Royg (Paraguay), 4-6, 7-5, 6-4
Asia Muhammad (wc), U.S., def. Gabriela Dabrowski (q), Canada, 6-3, 5-7, 6-2
Main Draw Doubles
MacCall Harkins, U.S.- Chieh-Yu Hsu, U.S., def. Irina Falconi, U.S.-Maria Sanchez (2), U.S., 3-6, 7-6 (4), 10-4
Elena Bovina, Romania-Edina Gallovits-Hall (4), Romania, def. Jennifer Elie, U.S.-Elizabeth Lumpkin, U.S., 6-2, 6-1
Thursday’s Schedule
Stadium Court beginning at 11 a.m.
Heidi El Tabakh (8), Canada, vs. Marie-Eve Pelletier, Canada
Followed by Shelby Rogers, U.S., vs. Stephanie Dubois, Canada
Followed by Mallory Burdette (7), U.S., vs. Madison Brengle, U.S.
Starting at 6 p.m. Asia Muhammad (wc), U.S., vs. Lauren Davis (2), U.S.
Court 11
Beginning at 11 a.m.
Petra Rampre, Slovenia, vs. Jessica Pegula, U.S.
Followed by Arina Rodionova, Russia, vs. Anastasia Rodionova, Australia
Followed by Jessica Pegula, U.S.-Marie-Eve Pelletier (3), Canada, vs. Lena Litvak, U.S.-Nicole Melichar, U.S.
Followed by Arina Rodionova, Russia-Anastasia Rodionova (1), Australia, vs. Maria Abramovic, Croatia-Amra Sadikovic, Switzerland
Court 10
Beginning at 11 a.m.
Adirana Perez, Venezuela, vs. Maria Abramovic, Croatia
Followed by Chi Chi Scholl, U.S., vs. Elena Bovina, Russia
Followed by Nicole Rottmann, Austria-Lenka Wienerova, Slovakia, vs. MacCall Harkins, U.S.-Chieh-Yu Hsu, U.S.
Followed by Shelby Rogers, U.S.-Ashley Weinhold, U.S., vs. Elena Bovina, Romania-Edina Gallovits-Hall (4), Romania
The tournament’s official website is www.partyrockopen.com. To learn more about Redfoo and Party Rock Clothing, go to www.partyrockclothing.com.
The Party Rock Open is presented by Nevada Orthopedic & Spine Center, Las Vegas’ premier orthopedics group. Other sponsors include: USTA-Nevada, CourtThink, LLC, Agent Atleta, Ltd., WG Communications Group, Cox Communications, ESPN 1110 AM, The Point 97.1, 98.5 KLUC, your local All State Insurance agent Dwain Frazier, Marty Hennessey Foundation, Ryan Wolfington, Solinco strings, Western Cab Company, Marquis Aurbach and Coffing, www.10sBalls.com, ASICS, Marcy Saxe at Realty One Group, and Perrier water.
Follow along on Twitter @partyrockopen and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/partyrockopen.com.
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American Mallory Burdette Wins Pro Debut at Party Rock Open

By Steve Pratt
LAS VEGAS (Sept. 25, 2012) – Mallory Burdette admitted to feeling a little sad with the start of school on Monday in Palo Alto where she would be starting her senior year at Stanford if she hadn’t made the decision to start her professional tennis career instead.
“I’m happy with my decision to turn pro, but just going up there and saying goodbye to everyone and moving out of my apartment, it was a little hard,” said Burdette, 21, who opened up main-draw singles play at the Party Rock Open on Tuesday with a 7-5, 6-1 win over Amra Sadikovic of Switzerland.
Burdette was playing in her first match since her US Open run last month where she won two rounds as an unseeded USTA Pro Circuit Wild Card before falling to No. 3-seeded Maria Sharapova on Arthur Ashe Stadium Court. A week later, Burdette decided to turn professional. There wasn’t a better place for her professional debut win than the women’s $50,000 USTA Pro Circuit event sponsored by Redfoo of the hit group LMFAO
Playing against Sadikovic later in the day in doubles, wild cards Burdette and Lauren Embree lost to Sadikovic and Maria Abramovic of Croatia, 6-7 (8), 6-3, 10-8.
After the Party Rock Open, the No. 7-seeded Burdette will go back to her home base in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., for three days before heading over to Europe for three weeks for 2 WTA events and a $100,000 ITF Challenger.
There were two big upsets in the other two main-draw singles matches played as Petra Rampre of Slovenia upset top-seeded Edina Gallovits-Hall of Romania, 6-1, 6-1, and American Chi Chi Scholl beat No. 3-seeded Michelle Larcher De Brito of Portugal, 6-4, 6-0.
Final round of qualifying finished on Tuesday with four players – American Jennifer Elie, Gabriela Dabrowski of Canada, Arina Rodionova of Russia and Adriana Perez of Venezuela — earning their way into the main draw.
Log onto www.RadioTennis.com to hear Ken Thomas do his live Internet stream at the Patry Rock Open Wednesday and continuing through Sunday.
Tuesday’s Scores
Final-Round Qualifying Singles
q: qualifier; wc: wild card
Jennifer Elie (2), U.S., def. Lauren Embree, U.S., 6-2, 6-4
Gabriela Dabrowski (6), Canada, def. Chieh-Yu Hsu (1), U.S., 6-3, 6-4
Arina Rodionova (4), Russia, def. Lena Litvak, U.S., 7-6 (3), 6-1
Adriana Perez (5), Venezuela, def. Zoe Scandalis, U.S., 7-6 (6), 6-2
First-Round Main Draw Singles
Mallory Burdette (7), U.S., def. Amra Sadikovic, Switzerland, 7-5, 6-1
Chi Chi Scholl, U.S., def. Michelle Larcher De Brito (3), Portugal, 6-4, 6-0
Petra Rampre, Slovenia, def. Edina Gallovits-Hall (1), Romania, 6-1, 6-1
First-Round Main Draw Doubles
Shelby Rogers, U.S.-Ashley Weinhold, U.S., def. Gabriela Dabrowski, Canada-Asia Muhammad, U.S., 6-3, 4-6, 10-6
Anastasia Rodionova, Australia-Arina Rodionova (1), Russia, def. Alison Riske, U.S.-Allie Will (wc), U.S., 6-1, 6-4
Lena Litvak, U.S.-Nicole Melichar, U.S., def. Roxanne Ellison, U.S.-Sierra Ellison (wc), 7-5, 6-4
Jessica Pegula, U.S.-Marie-Eve Pelletier (3), U.S., def. Veronica Cepede Royg, Paraguay-Adriana Perez, Venezuela, 6-3, 6-3
Nicole Rottman, Austria-Lenka Wienerova, Slovakia, def. Ksenia Lykina, Russia-Miki Miyamura, Japan, 6-3, 6-3
Maria Abramovic, Croatia-Amra Sadikovic, Switzerland, vs. Mallory Burdette, U.S.-Lauren Embree (wc), U.S., 6-7 (8), 6-3, 10-8
Wednesday’s Schedule
First-Round Main Draw
Stadium Court beginning at 11 a.m.
Chelsey Gullickson (wc), U.S., vs. Jessica Pegula, U.S
Followed by Maria Sanchez, U.S., vs. Lauren Davis (2), U.S.
Followed by Samantha Crawford (wc), U.S., vs. Anastasia Rodionova (4), Australia
Followed by MacCall Harkins, U.S.- Chieh-Yu Hsu, U.S., vs. Irina Falconi, U.S.-Maria Sanchez (2), U.S.
Starting at 6 p.m.
Gabriela Dabrowski (q), Canada, vs. Asia Muhammad (wc), U.S.
Court 11 beginning at 11 a.m.
Grace Min, U.S., vs. Shelby Rogers, U.S.
Followed by Maria Abramovic, Croatia, vs. Irina Falconi (5), U.S.
Followed by Stephanie Dubois, Canada, vs. Alison Riske (6), U.S.
Followed by Jennifer Elie, U.S.-Elizabeth Lumpkin, U.S. vs. Elena Bovina, Romania-Edina Gallovits-Hall (4), Romania
Court 10 beginning at 11 a.m.
Heidi El Tabakh (8), Canada, vs. Ashley Weinhold, U.S.
Followed by Veronica Cepede Royg (Paraguay) vs. Adriana Perez (q), Venezuela
Followed by Allie Will (wc), U.S., vs. Madison Brengle, U.S.
Court 8 beginning at 11 a.m.
Elena Bovina, Russia, vs. Julia Bosserup, U.S.
Followed by Marie-Eve Pelletier, Canada, vs. Jennifer Elie (q), U.S.
Followed by Arina Rodionova (q), Russia, vs. Ksenia Lykina, Russia
The tournament’s official website is www.partyrockopen.com. To learn more about Redfoo and Party Rock Clothing, go to www.partyrockclothing.com.
The Party Rock Open is presented by Nevada Orthopedic & Spine Center, Las Vegas’ premier orthopedics group. Other sponsors include: USTA-Nevada, CourtThink, LLC, Agent Atleta, Ltd., WG Communications Group, Cox Communications, ESPN 1110 AM, The Point 97.1, 98.5 KLUC, Marty Hennessey Foundation, Ryan Wolfington, Solinco strings, Western Cab Company, Marquis Aurbach and Coffing, www.10sBalls.com, ASICS, and Perrier water.
Follow along on Twitter @partyrockopen and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/partyrockopen.com.
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Party Rock Open Debuts in Las Vegas

By Steve Pratt

LAS VEGAS (Sept. 24, 2012) – The Party Rock Open final round of qualifying and main draw first round will take place on Tuesday at the Darling Tennis Center. Second round of qualifying took place on Monday while more than 500 Las Vegas children took part in the free Cox Kids’ Day and opening round of qualifying on Sunday.
Tournament sponsor Redfoo of the hit group LMFAO hosted the Player Party on Monday night at the Cosmopolitan Las Vegas and Marquee Club and will take part in a pro-am on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. taking place at Darling complementing a full schedule of events all week.
The Party Rock Open is a women’s $50,000 USTA Pro Circuit Event. A full Party Rock atmosphere will be in effect all week with deejay sets taking place Wednesday through Friday prior to the featured 6 p.m., night matches on the 3,000 capacity stadium court.
Edina Gallovits-Hall of Romania is the top-seeded player in the tournament. Currently ranked No. 114 in the world, she will face No. 211 seed Slovenia’s Petra Rompre in the first round in Tuesday’s night match.
The No. 7-seeded Mallory Burdette, who won two rounds at the US Open this year and recently turned pro after starring at Stanford, will play the second match on Tuesday on Stadium Court. Matches begin at 11 a.m. Burdette lost to Maria Sharapova in Arthur Ashe Stadium. Burdette received a wild card into Open based on her USTA Pro Circuit results this summer, which included her first career title at the $100,000 event in
Vancouver. She also reached the second round of the Emirates Airline US Open Series event in Stanford, Calif., in her WTA debut. Burdette played for Stanford the last three years, clinching the NCAA team title as a freshman in 2010, winning the NCAA doubles crown in 2011 and 2012, and reaching the final of the 2012 NCAA singles (where she fell to teammate and doubles partner Nicole Gibbs).
Americans in the main draw include No. 5 seeded Irina Falconi and former USC All-American Maria Sanchez. Also in the main draw is Lauren Davis, an 18-year-old from Cleveland who this year qualified for the main draw and reached the second round of the French Open and reached the second round of qualifying at the US Open last month. On the USTA Pro Circuit, Davis won a $25,000 event in Plantation, Fla., in January, and this spring reached the semifinals at $50,000 events in Dothan, Ala., and Indian Harbour Beach, Fla.
Joining Davis in the main draw is fellow 18-year-old Grace Min of Atlanta. The 2011 US Open girls’ singles champion, Min has won three USTA Pro Circuit titles this year, including back-to-back wins on clay at the $50,000 event in Indian Harbour Beach, Fla., and the $25,000 tournament in Raleigh, N.C. She trains at the USTA Training Center Headquarters in Boca Raton, Fla.
Receiving a main draw wild card into the Party Rock Open is Samantha Crawford, who arrives in Las Vegas after winning the 2012 US Open girls’ singles title. Crawford also qualified for the women’s main draw of the US Open as a wild card, making her one of only 13 qualifying wild cards to advance to the main draw in US Open history. As a junior player, Crawford won the USTA Girls’ 18s doubles title in 2011 and 2012 and is currently ranked a career-high No. 5 in the world junior rankings. She trains at the USTA Training Center Headquarters in Boca Raton.
Also in the field this week is Alison Riske, who has established herself as a steady presence near the world’s Top 200. This year, Riske qualified for the Australian Open and two WTA events, which comes on the heels of a successful 2011 in which she reached the quarterfinals of the WTA event in Birmingham, England, and played in the main draws of the Australian Open, Wimbledon and US Open.
Other Americans in the main draw are: 18-year-old Jessica Pegula, who is the daughter of Buffalo Sabres owner Terry Pegula, and who advanced to the round of 16 in women’s doubles at the 2011 US Open and reached the final of the $100,000 USTA Pro Circuit event in Vancouver this summer for the first professional final of her career; Chichi Scholl, who won the first two singles titles of her career on the USTA Pro Circuit in 2011 and has been ranked as high as No. 164; Madison Brengle, the former Australian Open and Wimbledon junior finalist who earlier this year won her third career USTA Pro Circuit title at the $25,000 event in Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; and Sanchez, who just last weekend beat Davis to win her first $75,000 USTA Pro Circuit Challenger in New Mexico.
Julia Boserup, who won her first professional title in 2011 at the $25,000 USTA Pro Circuit event in Redding, Calif., and added a second title earlier this year at the $25,000 event in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., before being sidelined with stress fractures in both feet; and Ashley Weinhold, the 2007 USTA Girls’ 18s national champion, who won her second professional title in 2011 at the $25,000 event in Rancho Mirage, Calif.
Another main draw wild card is Allie Will, an All-American and the No. 1 singles player for the University of Florida, who led the Gators to the NCAA team title in 2011 and to the team semifinals in 2012. Will reached the final of the $25,000 USTA Pro Circuit event in Redding, Calif., earlier this month. Chelsey Gullickson, the 2010 NCAA champion for the University of Georgia, also will receive a wild card. She is the daughter of former major league baseball pitcher Bill Gullickson.
The tournament has announced the following “theme” nights and schedule of events.
Note: Subject to change.
Tuesday, Sept. 25
Pro-Am featuring Redfoo and Opening Night Main Draw Kickoff Celebration at 6:00 p.m.
  • Final round of qualifying, main draw singles and doubles: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Featured singles night match: 6:00 p.m.
  • Tournament Pro-Am featuring Redfoo and tournament pros: 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 26
American Cancer Society Awareness Night. By entering the code ACS on the www.partyrockopen.com website, half of the ticket price will be donated to the Las Vegas American Cancer Society chapter throughout the entire tournament.
  • Main-draw singles and doubles: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Featured singles night match: 6:00 p.m.
  • Deejay Set: Beginning at 5 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 27
The Party Rock Open honors those serving at nearby Nellis Air Force Base with Military Appreciation Night. Any former or active military members can present ID and gain free admission into the tournament.
  • Second Round Singles and Doubles: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Featured singles night match: 6:00 p.m.
  • Deejay Set: Beginning at 5 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 28
Boys and Girls Club of Las Vegas Night. By entering the code BGC on the www.partyrockopen.com website, half of the ticket price will be donated to the Boys and Girls Club of Las Vegas throughout the entire tournament.
  • Singles Quarterfinals: Doubles Semifinals 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Featured singles night match: 6:00 p.m.
  • Deejay set: Beginning at 5 p.m.
Semifinal Saturday, Sept. 29
USTA Appreciation Night. Las Vegas USTA league teams and junior and senior competitors will be recognized.
  • Singles Semifinals: 4:00 and 6:30 p.m.
  • USTA League Day
Championship Sunday, Sept. 30
  • Doubles Final: 11 a.m.
  • Singles Final: 1 p.m.
  • Trophy Presentation/Closing Ceremonies
Italy’s Romina Oprandi, currently ranked No. 59 in the WTA world rankings, captured the title in 2011, while top 25 player and U.S. Olympian Varvara Lepchenko was the 2010 champion.
The tournament’s official website is www.partyrockopen.com. To learn more about Redfoo and Party Rock Clothing, go to www.partyrockclothing.com.
The Party Rock Open is presented by Nevada Orthopedic & Spine Center, Las Vegas’ premier orthopedics group. Other sponsors include: USTA-Nevada, CourtThink, LLC, Agent Atleta, Ltd., WG Communications Group, Cox Communications, ESPN 1110 AM, The Point 97.1, 98.5 KLUC, Marty Hennessey Foundation, Ryan Wolfington, Solinco strings, Western Cab Company, Marquis Aurbach and Coffing, www.10sBalls.com, ASICS, and Perrier water.
For a closer look at the tournament, see this story in Monday’s Las Vegas Journal-Review by Steve Carp:
Follow along on Twitter @partyrockopen and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/partyrockopen.com.
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Party Rock Open Makes Debut This Week

LAS VEGAS (Sept. 22, 2012) – The Party Rock Open and Redfoo of the hit group LMFAO will debut with weekly night matches at Darling Tennis Center to complement a full schedule of events.

 

The Party Rock Open is a women’s $50,000 USTA Pro Circuit Event. A full Party Rock atmosphere will be in effect all week with deejay sets taking place Wednesday through Friday prior to the featured 6 p.m., night matches on the 3,000 capacity stadium court.

 

The tournament has announced the following “theme” nights and schedule of events.

Note: Subject to change.

 

Sunday, Sept. 23

 

  • Qualifying singles matches: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Cox Kids Day: Noon-3 p.m.

 

Monday, Sept. 24

 

  • Qualifying singles matches: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

 

Tuesday, Sept. 25

 

Pro-Am featuring Redfoo and Opening Night Main Draw Kickoff Celebration at 6:00 p.m.

 

  • Final round of qualifying, main draw singles and doubles: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Featured singles night match: 6:00 p.m.
  • Tournament Pro-Am featuring Redfoo and tournament pros: 7:00 p.m.

 

Wednesday, Sept. 26

 

American Cancer Society Awareness Night. By entering the code ACS on the www.partyrockopen.com website, half of the ticket price will be donated to the Las Vegas American Cancer Society chapter throughout the entire tournament.

 

  • Main-draw singles and doubles: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Featured singles night match: 6:00 p.m.
  • Deejay Set: Beginning at 5 p.m.

 

Thursday, Sept. 27

 

The Party Rock Open honors those serving at nearby Nellis Air Force Base with Military Appreciation Night. Any former or active military members can present ID and gain free admission into the tournament.

 

  • Second Round Singles and Doubles: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Featured singles night match: 6:00 p.m.
  • Deejay Set: Beginning at 5 p.m.

 

Friday, Sept. 28

 

Boys and Girls Club of Las Vegas Night. By entering the code BGC on the www.partyrockopen.com website, half of the ticket price will be donated to the Boys and Girls Club of Las Vegas throughout the entire tournament.

  • Singles Quarterfinals: Doubles Semifinals 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Featured singles night match: 6:00 p.m.
  • Deejay set: Beginning at 5 p.m.

 

Semifinal Saturday, Sept. 29

 

USTA Appreciation Night. Las Vegas USTA league teams and junior and senior competitors will be recognized.

 

  • Singles Semifinals: 4:00 and 6:30 p.m.
  • USTA League Day

 

Championship Sunday, Sept. 30

 

  • Doubles Final: 11 a.m.
  • Singles Final: 1 p.m.
  • Trophy Presentation/Closing Ceremonies

 

Italy’s Romina Oprandi, currently ranked No. 59 in the WTA world rankings, captured the title in 2011, while top 25 player and U.S. Olympian Varvara Lepchenko was the 2010 champion.

 

The tournament’s official website is www.partyrockopen.com. To learn more about Redfoo and Party Rock Clothing, go to www.partyrockclothing.com.

 

The Party Rock Open is presented by Nevada Orthopedic & Spine Center, Las Vegas’ premier orthopedics group. Other sponsors include: USTA-Nevada, CourtThink, LLC, Agent Atleta, Ltd., WG Communications Group, Cox Communications, ESPN 1110 AM, The Point 97.1, 98.5 KLUC, Marty Hennessey Foundation, Solinco strings, Western Cab Company, Marquis Aurbach and Coffing, www.10sBalls.com, ASICS, and Perrier water.

 

Follow along on Twitter @partyrockopen and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/partyrockopen.com.

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Party Rock Open Player Field Announced

LAS VEGAS (Sept. 15, 2012) – A strong contingent of young American players heads up a talented international field set to play in the inaugural Party Rock Open being hosted by Redfoo from the hit music group LMFAO Sept. 23-30 at Darling Tennis Center.
 
Fresh off the US Open where he was a guest in Victoria Azarenka’s box for the ladies’ final, Redfoo and the Party Rock Open will welcome a slew of rising American talent, including teenager Lauren Davis, NCAA Champion Nicole Gibbs, and Pan-Am Games Gold Medalist Irina Falconi.
 
The women’s USTA Pro Circuit tournament will kick off with singles qualifying on Sunday, Sept. 23, where Redfoo plans to participate in free kids’ tennis clinics as part Cox Kids’ Day from noon to 3 p.m.
 
Romania’s Edina Gallovits-Hall is the highest ranked played and will likely be top-seeded coming in at No. 114 in the world. She is followed by Portugal’s Michelle Larcher De Brito (No. 120 in the world) and Davis who is currently No. 129. Australia’s Anastasia Rodionova (No. 130), Falconi (No. 147), and fellow American Alison Riske (No. 150) will all be seeded. Gallovits-Hall and Rodionova both reached the second round of the U.S. Open.
 
Former USC All-American Maria Sanchez, who has climbed over 500 spots in the world rankings (from 687 to 186) in her rookie season on tour in 2012, will also be featured.
 
Another notable entry in the main draw is Elena Bovina from Russia. The former WTA World No. 14 ranked player was also a 2002 US Open quarterfinalist
 
Gibbs, who captured the NCAA women’s singles title in June, is joined by her Stanford teammate, Mallory Burdette.  Burdette reached the third round of this year’s U.S. Open as a wild card. 
 
“We are excited about this year’s player field,” tournament co-director Jordan Butler said. “There are a number of up-and-coming players who are going to have bright careers, and many who have already been ranked inside the top 100, so it should be interesting.  The field is wide open and it’s a big opportunity for someone to break through.”
 
Now in its fourth year, the tournament has acted as a stepping stone for some of the top talent in women’s professional tennis.  Several players who have competed in Las Vegas since the event was founded in 2009 now find themselves amongst the world’s best, such as current Top 25 player and U.S. Olympian Varvara Lepchenko, the 2010 champion. 
 
The tournament’s official website is www.partyrockopen.com. To learn more about Redfoo and Party Rock Clothing, go to www.partyrockclothing.com.
 
The Party Rock Open is presented by Nevada Orthopedic & Spine Center, Las Vegas’ premier orthopedics group.
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Party Rock Open Debuts in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS (Aug. 23, 2012) – Redfoo from the hit music group LMFAO and his Party Rock brand have agreed to title sponsor the Party Rock Open, a Women’s $50,000 USTA Pro Circuit tournament taking place in Las Vegas Sept. 23-30, tournament organizers have announced.

 

The Party Rock Open will make its debut at the Darling Tennis Center, formerly the host site of the Tennis Channel Open.  The move to Darling, which is owned in part by ATP player and Las Vegas resident Sam Querrey, will accommodate night matches on the 3,000 capacity stadium court, as well as a Party Rock atmosphere featuring regular deejay sets throughout the tournament.

 

Party Rock Open co-tournament director Tyler Weekes, who operates the tennis concession at The Cosmopolitan on the Strip, recently crossed paths with Redfoo, a tennis enthusiast who grew up playing competitively in Southern California.   While taking a lesson from Weekes at The Cosmopolitan, Redfoo learned of the tournament opportunity and expressed interest in helping promote the event and brand it after his Party Rock line of clothing.

 

Things moved quickly from there, and soon the Party Rock Open concept was born.

 

“I’m so excited to bring Party Rock to the world of tennis, my favorite sport,” Redfoo said. “Where better to do it than my favorite place to play? Las Vegas!”

 

Looking to take an active role in Las Vegas’ only professional tournament, Redfoo plans to participate in Cox Communications Kids’ Day on September 23, host the official Players’ Party at Marquee, and pair with a top pro from the tournament in the Pro-Am doubles event.

 

Now in its fourth year, the tournament has acted as a stepping stone for some of the top talent in women’s professional tennis.  Currently, approximately 10 players who have competed in Las Vegas since 2009 find themselves ranked inside the top100 in the world.

 

Italy’s Romina Oprandi, currently ranked No. 59 in the WTA world rankings, captured the title in 2011, while top 40 player and U.S. Olympian Varvara Lepchenko was the 2010 champion.

 

“There is no doubt that the Party Rock Open will be a showcase for tomorrow’s generation of stars,” said Jordan Butler, co-tournament director along with Weekes.

 

Added Weekes: “It’s time to Party Rock, Vegas pro tennis style.”

 

The tournament’s official website is www.partyrockopen.com. To learn more about Redfoo and Party Rock Clothing, go to www.partyrockclothing.com.

 

The Party Rock Open is presented by Nevada Orthopedic & Spine Center, Las Vegas’ premier orthopedics group.

 

Follow along on Twitter @partyrockopen and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/partyrockopen.com.

 

USTA Pro Circuit

With approximately 90 tournaments hosted annually throughout the country and prize money ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, 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. The USTA launched its Pro Circuit 33 years ago to provide players with the opportunity to gain professional ranking points, and it has since grown to become the largest developmental tennis circuit in the world, offering nearly $3 million in prize money. Last year, more than 1,000 men and women from more than 70 countries competed in cities nationwide. Mardy Fish, Maria Sharapova, Andy Roddick, Caroline Wozniacki, John Isner, Victoria Azarenka and Andy Murray are among today’s top stars who began their careers on the USTA Pro Circuit.

 

 

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