More from the Challenger

I will be posting more pictures soon from the Challenger but I wanted to share this one of several of the night shift ball boys and girls.

Thanks Nashville!

We apologize for the late post, but we just wanted to thank everyone for making the Nashville tournament a fun one again this year. We wish we could have done better, but at least we could enjoy everyone's company even being out of the tournament...... A special thanks to Rocky, Chuck, and many others that were working all week to make things happen..... We will shoot for a better tournament next year...... If you want to keep up with the Battistone Brothers and The Natural Two-Handled Tennis Racket until next year, visit www.NATURALTENIS.com

Take Care!

Challenger Complete- See you Next Year

Jesse Levine and Amadeus Nunaley-connor

I'll be adding more pictures over the next few days but wanted to post a quick wrap up.

First, thanks to all the players for joining us in Nashville. This week provided some outstanding tennis and I know that many in the local tennis community will be discussing the matches for several weeks.

Second, thanks to all of the volunteers that helped with the event from the Ballkids to the Front Desk and all those behind the scenes, the tournament wouldn't have been a success without you.

Third, congratulations to the winners of Saturdays matches. Doubles: Carsten Ball and Travis Rettenmaier and Singles Robert Kendrick.

Wednesday Update- Day

Here's your update of the day matches from Wednesday. As you can expect, the level of play is increasing as the stakes are higher and the matches are moving along.

On Court 5 we saw some fun points and hard hitting. The day began with Kevin Kim v Phillip Simmonds. While Simmonds poured his heart into the points, Kim was able to dig deep and pull out the victory at 6-3, 6-3.

The second match was Jesse Levine v Giovanni Lapentti. The first set seemed like a fairly easy round for Levine but Lapentti dug deep in the second set to try for the comeback. In the end, the match went to Levine 6-2, 7-5.

The next singles match on Court 5 was full of emotion and passion as Scoville Jenkins v Illia Bozoljac. This was the match to watch, if you wanted to see McEnroe like antics. Starting with Jenkins hitting a ball and knocking down the Pipe and Drape to Bozoljac breaking a racquet and having a bit of a shout with one of the ball moms, it was quite passionate. After 3 sets, Jenkins prevailed winning 6-2, 4-6, 6-3.

Moving over to Court 3 the day began with doubles. Fisher and Thomas v Charroin and Torte. The first set appeared to be a routine win for Fisher and Thomas but the second set became a real nail-biter as Charroin and Torte fought their way back into the match. With several very long deuce points and a tiebreak to determine the match, Fisher and Thomas were ultimately victorious with a final score of 6-3, 7-6 (9).

The next match of the day was Rajeev Ram v Michael Russell. Reports from the ballkids working this match were it was a battle of two hard hitters with Russell coming out on top. Final score was 7-6(2), 6-3.

The last match that the day crew was able to watch was the 3 setter between Robert Kendrick and Luka Gregorc. This was another well played match with long rallies and some emotion coming through. Ultimately, Kendrick prevailed winning 5-7, 7-5, 6-3.

Thursday Schedule

Wednesday Schedule of Play

Music City Challenger In the News

Photo Courtesy of Cathy Harris

Nice article about Bobby Reynolds win (local favorite) and today's match schedule in the Nashville City Paper.

Read the full story here.

Day Shift News From the Challenger

We had a chance to see some fantastic matches today. First match on Court 5 started with Kevin Kim v Matwe Middlekoop. They set the tone for the day with some intense tennis starting off with a three setter. Kim eventually won 6-3, 3-6, 6-3. On a side note, he was voted as one of the two "ball kid" killers when one of his serves left a 3" welt on the leg of one of the ball girls.

Next up on Court 5 was Somdev Devvarman v Travis Rettenmaier. This was a very fun match to watch, especially as Devvarman's footwork was just amazing- he moved like lightning. Two of the ball kids were impressed that he did everything their coach had been telling them they should be doing. Andrea, one of the ball girls was excited when Travis spoke to her. It was a highlight of her day.

Next on Court 5 was the Zack Fleishman v Giovanni Lapentti. Lapentti won this match after a 1st set tie break.

The last match of the day shift was Phillip Simmonds v. Dusan Vemic- unfortunately, we left before the match was over so we aren't able to report much.

On Court 3 the action was just as fast paced. The first match of the day was Van Der Merwe (qualifier) v Ball. Ball won 7-5, 6-3. The next match was Russell v. Dancevic. Russell won 6-2, 6-2.

Moving later into the day, visitors were treated to hometown favorite Bobby Reynolds vs Luis Flores. The first set was solid but the second set was a true show of tennis playing passion and ability as they played multiple deuce points and then a 7 set tie break.

The final match on Court 3 for the day shift was another 3 setter between Jesse Levine and Tim Smyczek. While we weren't able to see the end of the match the first two sets showed a true slug fest between two very hard hitting Americans (this ball mom has the bruises to prove it!).

More from the day shift tomorrow.

Tuesday's Schedule

Monday Update

I'm going to share a quick update on the day shift as I was there first hand for that. First, a big thanks to Kipp Academy for joining us today and helping out on the day shift. The students did a really good job paying attention and running the balls down. It was a bit warm inside but everyone held up very well.

As for the matches, there was some outstanding tennis for the first round. On Court 3, the first match of the day saw lots of long points and some outstanding hitting between Anderson and Menedez final score was 7-6(9), 7-5. Then we got to see some excellent serve and volley play during the Zotov and Gregorc match the final score being 6-4, 6-1. The day shift ball kids left before the Jenkins and Bogdanovic match ended so we'll report on that later.

On court 5 spectators were kept busy watching the 3 setter between Gonzalez and Miranda. Gonzalez dug deep and pulled out the win at 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (5). This match was followed by two doubles matches. The final doubles qualifying matches were played this afternoon and we treated to some great play by former US College #1 Devvarman partner Van der Merwe against Mankad and Singh. This was another 3 setter with Mankad and Singh pulling out the win 7-6(3), 4-6, 10-2. The last doubles match that we were able to watch was Haggard/Middlekoop vs Smyczek/Oudesma. Unfortunately, we left before the match ended.

Stay tuned for more from the evening matches.

Update from Qualifying

The qualifying rounds have ended and congratulations to the following qualifiers who will be in the main draw beginning Monday November 3 at 11:00 a.m.

• Izak Van der Merwe
• Phillip Simonds
• Luis Manuel Flores
• Travis Rettenmaier

We wish all the players the best of luck and can't wait for the matches to begin.

Greetings from Rajeev on the Eve of the Tournament

Hey everyone,

Its the Sunday before the event is starting so everyone is getting here and doing their last minute preparations. I drew Vince Spadea who is the top seed in the event this year so obviously its going to be a tough match on Monday evening. Everyone here is good though so you always have to be totally ready. Vince has played on tour a long time and has had a very successful career. Its a great effort that he is still playing at such a high level after so long.

The weather is absolutely spectacular here. Its a really nice time of year to be in Nashville with the leaves changing colors and all that. Hopefully I can be here the whole week which means I'll be doing well in the tournament. I hope to see everyone out there enjoying the tennis this week. Have a great weekend.

Take care,

Rajeev

Schedule of Events for Sunday November 2

Come watch the remaining days of qualifying play today at Vanderbilt. First round matches begin at 10:00 a.m. with qualifying final rounds beginning not earlier than 3:00 p.m.

1st Round Qualifying Complete

Photo courtesy of MTSU (www.goblueraiders.com)

The first round of qualifying ended today and there were some exciting matches played. Qualifying rounds continue on Sunday with 4 players earning spots in the Main Draw.

For the complete list of scores, winners and more go to: ATPtennis. From there look for the Nashville Challenger and then click on QS (qualifying singles).

More tomorrow as play continues. Several Americans including former MTSU star Andreas Siljestrom, current MTSU player Viktor Melo, Greg Oulette (former Florida star), and Phillip Simmonds.

Qualifying Rounds Begin Today

Image courtesy of MTSU (www.goblueraiders.com)

Qualifying rounds begin today and it's great to see several local players who were accepted. Match play starts at 10:00 a.m. and includes MTSU player John Peers, former MTSU player and All-American Andreas Siljestrom and MTSU player Victor Melo. Other local connections include Knoxville junior star Rhyne Williams, and Vandy player Nikolas Cromydas.

Come out and join the fun. It will be a beautiful weekend for tennis.