Qualifying Rounds Begin At Texas Tennis Open

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Qualifying rounds got underway for the Texas Tennis Open, an ‘International Level’ Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) event offering $220,000 in prize money and featuring a 32-player singles draw and a 16-team doubles draw.

This is the second year for the event, held at the Hilton DFW Lakes Hotel in Grapevine.  The tournament is a last-chance tune-up for the US Open.  23 of the top-100 players in the world are expected to compete.

Prior to the event, players and coaches met with children who are patients and former patients at the Scottish Rite Hospital in Dallas to spend some time playing, teaching, and demonstrating the game.  Approximately 50 kids braved the hot Texas sun to enjoy time on the outdoor court.

Former World Number 1 player Jelena Jankovic was on hand to participate in the official draw ceremony and meet with the media.  Jankovic, currently No. 27, will be seeded second in the field, behind current No. 7, Angelique Kerber.  Kerber was a semi-finalist in the inaugural Texas Tennis Open last year.

In the opening round of qualifying, Melinda Czink, Eugenie Bouchard, Pauline Parmentier, and Gabriela Dabrowski all advanced, as did Mirjana Lucic, Casey Dellacqua, and Emily Webley-Smith.

Qualifying continues on Saturday.  Gates open at 5:00pm for 5:30pm match times.  Tickets are available at www.texastennisopen.com