2015 Cary Tennis Championships – Recap
Editor’s Note: This recap was contributed by Harvey Richmond, a volunteer photographer for the Cary Tennis Park and the Triangle Tennis Enthusiasts Meetup group, which has nearly 1,000 participants who play tennis in Cary and surrounding communities.
Cary, NC — The Town of Cary hosted their first men’s professional tennis ATP Challenger Tour event September 14, 2015 – September 20, 2015 at the Cary Tennis Park.
Cary Tennis Championships
With Atlantic Tire as their presenting sponsor, the Cary Tennis Championships attracted some of the top players from across the world and awarded winners $50,000 in prize money.
The event included several players who are ranked between 100 and 200 in the world, including Bjorn Fratangelo (USA, seeded number 1), Austin Krajicek (USA, seeded number 2) and Ryan Harrison (USA, seeded number 5). Harrison has been ranked as high as 43 in the world in 2012 and has played against Novak Djokivic (#1 in the world) at Wimbleton in 2012 and at the Australian Open in 2013. At last weekend’s championships, Ryan Harrison won his match 6-1.
Ryan Harrison in his match on Tuesday, September, 15, 2015 against Facundo Mena (Argentina).
Players from All Over the World
Players from all over the world including places like Australia, South Africa, Great Britain, Argentina, Italy, Canada and Switzerland traveled to Cary to play in this tournament.
Quarter finals were played on Friday for both men’s singles and doubles. The semi-finals were played on Saturday, and the finals were played on Sunday, September 20, 2015.
The singles champion on Sunday was Dennis Novikov (USA). Novikov played two years at UCLA, and this was his first ATP Challengers finals and his first ATP championship title. Ryan Harrison, who is currently ranked number 125 in the world, was the runner-up.
Novikov won in straight sets, 6-4, 7-5. In the doubles, Chase Buchanan (USA) and Blaz Rola from Slovenia, who both played at Ohio State in college, beat Austin Krajicek (USA) and Nicholas Monroe (USA) on Sunday in a third set tie-breaker 10-4 after splitting sets 6-4, 6-7.
Nicholas Monroe played for UNC Chapel Hill in college.
Awards Ceremony
After the matches, the championship trophies and checks were presented to players by Anthony Blackman, President of Atlantic Tire, and Cary Mayor Harold Weinbrecht.
Mayor Weinbrecht awards a trophy to Ryan Harrison.
Nicholas Monroe and Austin Krajicek stand with Anthony Blackman.
Many other special events occurred throughout the week in conjunction with the Cary Tennis Championships. Some included the Cary Tennis Park Pass Holder Day, a food drive for Inter-Faith Shuttle, University Day, Pro Am, a Ladies Luncheon with fashion show and Community Charity Day benefiting Abilities Tennis of North Carolina and Me Fine Foundation.
About the Tour
The ATP challenger circuit brings men’s professional tennis to over 40 countries around the world. The tour provides opportunities for up-and-coming stars to improve their skills and earn ATP ranking points to qualify to play in ATP World Tour events such as the U.S. Open.
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Story and photos contributed by Harvey M. Richmond.
