The annual tennis tournament continues through Sunday May 6 at Kiwi Tennis Club, Indian Harbour Beach. Attendance is free to the public through Thursday May 3.

The Audi Melbourne Pro Tennis Classic, a USTA Pro Circuit event, is the pathway to tour-level competitions such as the French Open and US Open for aspiring tennis players and a frequent battleground for established professionals. Singles and Doubles competitors will vie for $50,000 in prize money. Free Admission for the public April 29 – May 3, 2012.

Visitors on hand for exciting pro women’s tennis action can also visit vendor booths and displays focused on an active fit lifestyle. “We are excited to host health awareness day each year at the tournament as an extension of our mission in supporting families family critical illness,” says Holly Baney, Director of MIMA Foundation.

Wednesday Night’s feature matches at 6 pm will showcase Melanie Oudin (USA) and Julia Cohen (USA) in singles and Gabriela Dabrowski (Canada) / Lena Vitvak (USA) against Irina Falconi (USA) and CoCo Vandeweghe (USA).

The Audi Melbourne Pro Tennis Classic, a USTA Pro Circuit event, is the pathway to tour-level competitions such as the French Open and US Open for aspiring tennis players and a frequent battleground for established professionals. Singles and Doubles competitors will vie for $50,000 in prize money. Free Admission for the public April 29 – May 3, 2012.

Tournament Sponsor Audi of Melbourne will award a brand new, 2012 Audi A4 Turbo Sedan to one lucky winner on Sunday, May 6, 2012, following the final singles and doubles matches. Raffle tickets are available until Sunday May 6 up to 30 minutes prior to the end of the tournament doubles match. Tickets are $150 and there is a one in 500 chance to win! Tickets can be purchased online or at Kiwi Tennis Club.

The Audi Melbourne Pro Tennis Classic, a USTA Pro Circuit event, is the pathway to tour-level competitions such as the French Open and US Open for aspiring tennis players and a frequent battleground for established professionals. Singles and Doubles competitors will vie for $50,000 in prize money. Free Admission for the public April 29 – May 3, 2012.

Tuesday Night May 1 is Kids Night at the Audi Melbourne Pro Tennis Classic, underwaythis week at the Kiwi Tennis Club, Indian Harbour Beach.

While parents enjoy pro women’s tennis action on center court, kids can enjoy games, crafts, and a chance to try tennis (racquets provided) from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm. GAMES 2U Entertainment will be on hand with an interactive entertainment video van and activities. Tuesday Night’s feature singles match will feature sisters Chi Chi School and Chalena Scholl; and in doubles Victoria Bensimon and Natalia Janowicz against Carly Gullickson and Ashley Weinhold.

The Audi Melbourne Pro Tennis Classic, a USTA Pro Circuit event, is the pathway to tour-level competitions such as the French Open and US Open for aspiring tennis players and a frequent battleground for established professionals. Singles and Doubles competitors will vie for $50,000 in prize money. Free Admission for the public April 29 – May 3, 2012. Tickets for the quarterfinals, semi-finals and finals are available here

The Audi Melbourne Pro Tennis Classic, a USTA Pro Circuit event, is the pathway to tour-level competitions such as the French Open and US Open for aspiring tennis players and a frequent battleground for established professionals. Singles and Doubles competitors will vie for $50,000 in prize money. Free Admission for the public April 29 – May 3, 2012. Tickets for the quarterfinals, semi-finals and finals are available at mimafoundationtennisclassic.org.

The field for the Audi Melbourne Pro Tennis Classic will feature 32 singles players in the Qualifying Draw, 32 singles players in Main Draw and 16 Main Draw doubles teams. Wild Card qualifying will take place April 19 - 20 with Main Draw qualifying beginning Sunday April, 29, 2012.

“We’re excited to welcome the athletes to Brevard County again,” says Holly Baney, Tournament Director. “Players ranked in the top 100 in the world come to compete and this year, we could be the tournament that is the deciding factor for the Main Draw Wild Card at the French Open,” adds Baney. For the past five years an American woman has won the single’s title or been in the final a Kiwi.

With more than 90 tournaments throughout the country and prize money ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, the USTA Women’s Pro Circuit is the pathway to the US Open and tour-level competition for aspiring tennis players and a frequent battleground for established professionals. Last year, more than 1,000 men and women from more than 70 countries competed on the USTA Pro Circuit for approximately $32 million in prize money and valuable ATP World Tour and Sony Erickson WTA Tour ranking points.
]]> http://blog.mimafoundationtennisclassic.org/2012/04/02/world-class-professional-womens-tennis-returns-to-kiwi-tennis-club/feed/ http://blog.mimafoundationtennisclassic.org/2011/06/26/jesse-levine-jeff-dadamo-tie-break-singles-match/ http://blog.mimafoundationtennisclassic.org/2011/06/26/jesse-levine-jeff-dadamo-tie-break-singles-match/#comments Mon, 27 Jun 2011 00:24:38 +0000 Amelia http://blog.mimafoundationtennisclassic.org/2011/06/26/jesse-levine-jeff-dadamo-tie-break-singles-match/

Jesse Levine returns a fast baseline shot from Jeff Dadamo.

Jeff Dadamo on the baseline during the first set of the Singles championship.

Jeff Dadamo serves during the second set.

Jesse Levine slides to reach a hard baseline shot from Jeff Dadamo at the end of the first set.

Jesse Levine accepts the championship check from presenting sponsor Shaye Rowe of Audi of Melbourne as ball boy Patrick Baney looks on.

Kajeri Genna of Genna Jewelers presents Jesse Levine with a piece of custom jewelry to commemorate his win at the first annual men’s tournament.

Left to right back row: Holly Baney (MIMA Foundation Director & Tournament Director), Murray Lilley (Kiwi Tennis Club Director of Tennis), Jeff Dadamo (Singles Finalist), Singles Champion Jeff Levine, Shaye Rowe (Audi of Melbourne: Presenting Sponsor), Kajeri Genna (Genna Jewelers: Sponsor), Dawn Bray, (Kiwi Tennis Club Pro).

Front row: Kiwi Tennis club member Ball Boys and Girls

MOHD ASSRI MERZUKI AND GABRIEL MORARU WIN DOUBLES CHAMPIONSHIP

(left to right): Artem Ilyushin, Antoine Benneteau, Shaye Rowe (Audi of Melbourne: Presenting Sponsor), Mohd Assri Merzuki, Kajeri Genna (Genna Jewelers: Sponsor), Gabriel Moraru, Holly Baney (MIMA Foundation Director & Tournament Director), Kiwi Member Ball Kids. 

(left to right back row): Holly Baney (MIMA Foundation Director & Tournament Director), Murray Lilley (Kiwi Tennis Club Director of Tennis), Jeff Dadamo (Singles Finalist), Singles Champion Jeff Levine, Shaye Rowe (Audi of Melbourne: Presenting Sponsor), Kajeri Genna (Genna Jewelers: Sponsor), Dawn Bray, (Kiwi Tennis Club Pro).

     Afternoon thunderstorms weren’t a problem for today’s championships at the MIMA Foundation Men’s Pro Tennis Classic at Kiwi Tennis Club, Indian Harbour Beach, FL. The crowd was ready for great tennis and the players did not disappoint.

     At 11 am, the championship for the Men’s Doubles kicked off with Mohd Assri Merzuki and Gabriel Moraru facing Antoine Benneteau and Artem Ilyushin.  Baseline power hitting was often interrupted with fast-paced net play and dynamic overhead smash returns. Emotions ran high for all players who gave the occasional grunt of frustration or yell of approval. With each pair winning a set, the match went into tie-break and as it looked like Merzuki and Moraru were headed for an easy win, Benneteau and Ilyushin rallied back for an exciting tie-break. In the end, Merzuki and Moraru prevailed to become the Doubles Champions.

     Shortly after, number one seed Jesse Levine and Jeff Dadamo took to the court for the Men’s Singles Final. Levine defeated Dadamo in a tie-break match after winning the first set 6-2, and Dadamo winning the second set 7-6. Levine’s serve was a little off today with several double faults, but his booming baseline drives kept Dadamo on the defensive. Dadamo managed to win cheers from the crowd for his many well-placed drop shots that Levine found hard to return. In the end, Levine became the first men’s singles champion.

     “This has been a great tournament,” said Gabriel Moraru during the award presentation. “We can tell that the members of this club are really passionate about tennis. The event was well organized and the venue is fantastic. I look forward to coming here again.”

     “We are so happy that we were able to add a men’s tournament here,” said Ed Scott, founder and owner of Kiwi Tennis Club. “We hope to see all of these players next year for another round of great men’s pro tennis.”

Gabriel Moraru serves as Mohd Merzuki stands ready for the return.

Antoine Benneteau slams a hard baseline drive.

Antoine Benneteau and Artem Ilyushin during the first set.

Mohd Assri Merzuki hits from the baseline for a winner.

Artem Illyushin leaps for a fast return from Gabriel Moraru.

Benneteau and Ilyushin congratulate the champions.

Presenting sponsor Shaye Rowe of Audi of Melbourne congratulates the champions and presents their check.

Doubles Championship finalists with ball kids, presenting sponsor Shaye Rowe (Audi of Melbourne), Kajeri Genna of Genna Jewelers (who provided a beautiful custom piece of jewelry to the champions, and Tournament Director Holly Baney.

Kajeri Genna (Genna Jewelers) with Gabriel Moraru, left, and Mohd Assri Merzuki, right showing off their custom MIMA Foundation event dog tags.

Jesse Levine                                                       Jeff Dadamo

JESSE LEVINE TO MEET JEFF DADAMO FOR CHAMPIONSHIP

     Afternoon thunderstorms delayed match play today at the MIMA Foundation Men’s Pro Tennis Classic, but by 5:30 pm, the skies had cleared and play resumed to determine the finalists in the first annual men’s tournament at Kiwi Tennis Club.   

     Number one seed Jesse Levine defeated Kiryl Harbatisuik, 6-3, 6-3 in an exciting match that drew cheers and applause from the crowd. The baseline rallies of the first set gave way to a second set full of fantastic drop shots by each athlete, but the Belarus native Harbatisuik could not overcome the experience of lefty Jesse Levine.

     Baseline power hitting was the call of the day between Jeff Dadamo and Ty Trombetta. Evenly matched, Dadamo won the first set, but Ty Trombetta (8) rallied in the second set to win the set 7-6. A 3-hour rain delay interrupted play, but eventually Jeff Dadamo prevailed in a tie-break. Americans Levine and Dadamo will meet Sunday, June 26 immediately following the doubles match to determine the champion.

    Starting at 11 am, the doubles match championship will be decided between Mohd Assri Merzuki and Gabriel Moraru, (who defeated Robbye Poole and Harel Srugo in the semi-finals today), and Antoine Benneteau and Artem Ilyushin (who defeated Americans Austin Smith and Dane Webb).  

     Tickets for the championships are $25 per person and can be purchased online at www.mimafoundationtennisclassic.org or at the door at Kiwi Tennis Club. Tickets for the finals and the VIP luncheon (which replaces the previously scheduled cocktail party that was cancelled due to weather) are $100 per person. Individuals with tickets for Saturday’s matches and/or VIP cocktail party that did not attend due to the weather can use their tickets on Sunday June 26 at the finals.

 Robbye Poole with Peter and Kateri Genna, owners of Genna Jewelers and their daughters

ROBBYE POOLE WINS TISSOT WATCH

The players of the first annual MIMA Foundation Men’s Pro Tennis Classic were invited guests at a player’s party at the Kiwi Tennis Club, Monday, June 20 at 6 pm.  

Players were treated to a delicious pasta buffet, music, and for the brave, a trip to the Karaoke microphone. “After a long day of matches, we were happy to welcome the players to the breezeway for some social time, good food and fun,” says Holly Baney, Tournament Director.  “The Australian’s really showed their stuff during Karaoke,” Baney added. More than 25 individuals and group took their turn at the microphone to sing and prove that they need to stick to their day job, tennis.

The player’s also had an opportunity to win a beautiful watch by Swiss watchmaker Tissot valued at $400, provided by long-standing MIMA Foundation sponsor Genna Jewelers. “The Tissot sports watch caught the eye of everyone as we had it on display in advance of the drawing,” says Holly Baney. “Genna continues to be a valued partner for us and their contributions always make our events even more special.” Baney adds that in addition to the watch, they are also donating hand-engraved sterling silver dog tags with the tournament logo and year.”

Robbye Poole, one of the top seeds at the tournament, was the lucky recipient of the watch. Poole, 22 of Pewee Valley, Kentucky, won back-to-back singles titles in 2010 at the Futures in Joplin, Mo., and Godfrey, Ill., for his first career USTA Pro Circuit singles Titles and went on to win doubles titles in Niceville, FL and Amelia Island, FL.