UTR PRO MATCH SERIES PRESENTED BY TENNIS CHANNEL
POST MATCH RECAP: FRIDAY MAY 22
PROFESSIONAL WOMEN’S TENNIS IS BACK WITH A BANG AT
THE UTR PRO MATCH SERIES
Danielle Collins And Ajla Tomljanović Undefeated; Alison Riske Edges Out Amanda Anisimova In Sizzling Last Match Of Day 1
(May 22nd, 2020) Women’s pro tennis is back! Four world top-60 players, Alison Riske, Amanda Anisimova, Danielle Collins and Ajla Tomljanović met on a private court in the West Palm Beach, FL area for the UTR Pro Match Series, the first professional women’s tennis event since the global shutdown.
The level of competition was high even in the stripped down environment, where the health and safety of players, staff and officials were the top priority. Players got back to the roots of the game with no ballkids, no cheering crowds, and no line judges. One chair umpire oversaw the match and called out the score. The fast-paced 3 Fast 4 set format placed even more importance on every point, and the players rose to the occasion, delivering competitive, high quality tennis.
Two-time NCAA singles champion Danielle Collins (UTR 13.07) showed no rust in her return to action, beating Amanda Anisimova (UTR 13.04) 4-1 4-2 in her first match since the Australian Open in January. In another battle of top-60 WTA players, Aussie Ajla Tomljanovic (UTR 12.85) dispatched world #19 Alison Riske (UTR 13.19) 4-3(4) 4-1. To wrap up day one action, Riske recovered and defeated the 18-year-old Anisimova in a nail-biter final by saving two match points to earn a 0-4 4-0 4-3(6) victory.
The UTR Pro Match Series is the first live tennis tournament to be broadcast internationally since the world shut down due to the pandemic, and showcases a vision for how tennis can be played locally and safely with 1:1 match play, and have results count globally via the Universal Tennis Rating (UTR). UTR MatchPlay helps players get back into the game by organizing safe, local one on one matches where results count for their universal tennis rating. Anyone in the world can create a match, play, and post your score. To kick off the new platform, anyone who registers for UTR MatchPlay now through June 5 will be eligible to win a free one week trip to train at the world-renowned IMG Academy for themselves and their UTR MatchPlay opponent.
Every UTR Pro Match Series event follows enhanced safety precautions, implementing strict screening, cleaning and social distancing measures for players, officials and staff. There are no spectators, no handshakes and no ballkids. The court and facility are professionally disinfected before and after play. Each player provides their own set of marked balls for use during the match. Players provide their own drinks and towels, and each have their own separate tented area off the court.
The UTR Pro Match Series Women’s Event broadcast continues live on Tennis Channel beginning at 12 Noon ET Saturday May 23 and Sunday May 24 for the finals and 3rd/4th place playoff.
PLAYER LINEUP
- Alison Riske – 4th ranked American, WTA #19, UTR 13.19 (#14)
- Amanda Anisimova – 5th ranked American, WTA #28, UTR 13.04 (#33)
- Danielle Collins – 8th ranked American, WTA #51, UTR 13.07 (#28)
- Ajla Tomljanović – 2nd ranked Australian, WTA #56, UTR 12.85 (#68)
DAY 1 STANDINGS
- Danielle Collins 1-0 (d. Anisimova)
- Ajla Tomljanović 1-0 (d. Riske)
- Alison Riske 1-1 (d. Anisimova)
- Amanda Anisimova 0-2
SCHEDULE OF PLAY – SATURDAY, MAY 20th 12:00 PM ET
Alison Riske vs Danielle Collins
Followed by Ajla Tomljanović vs Amanda Anisimova
Followed by Danielle Collins vs Ajla Tomljanović
