September 20-26, 2021
Ostrava, Czech Republic
Metz, France
Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan
September 24-26, 2021
Laver Cup
Boston, MA, USA
Welcome to the 2nd week post US Open. The buzz is still strong surrounding the darling of this year's US Open - "CinderEmma" - Emma Raducanu the Women's Champion. And not only in the Tennis press, but major news and social media.
The appearance of more than a few Tennis names at this year's Met Gala in NYC added glamour and fashion to the Tennis buzz. Has Tennis and its personalities and celebrity officially crossed over into mainstream media? We shall see ....
Meanwhile on tennis earth, we travel to Europe and Central Europe for three events. The women headline a WTA 500 in Ostrava, Czech Republic, while the men compete in two ATP 250s in France and Kazakhstan.
And for ATP star power, invited men will participate in Roger Federer's baby - The Laver Cup - for 3 days this weekend hosted by the famous venue TD Gardens in Boston, Massachusetts.
We're "Shipping Up to Boston" - So let's get to it!.
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| FELIX AUGER ALIASSIME & NINA GHAIBI Night after US Open - The Met Gala - NYC - Sept. 13, 2021 (a 🎁 for Shirley) |
Sept. 20-26, 2021
J&T Banka Ostrava Open, WTA 500
Ostravar Arena
Ostrava, Czech Republic
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| MASARYK TOWN SQUARE (Ostrava is the Czech Republic's 3rd largest city) |
Surface: hard indoor
Draw: Singles 32, doubles 16
2020 champ: Aryna Sabalenka.
This tournament was added in 2020 and is one of the tourneys that are in place of the cancelled Asian events.
Seeds (in order of seeding): Iga Swiatek, Petra Kvitova, Belinda Bencic, Maria Sakkari, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Angelique Kerber, Elena Rybakina, Karolina Muchova.
Other notables include: Paula Badosa, Anett Kontaveit, Veronika Kudermetova, Zhang Shuai.
Wildcards: Caroline Garcia, Jelena Ostapenko and Czech players Katerina Siniakova and Tereza Martincova.
**WTA simply refuses to fix their website for .pdf draws - here's the link to the Draw & site!😡
BANKA OSTRAVA WTA WEBSITE DRAW
Sept. 20-26, 2021
Surface: Hard indoor
Draw: Singles 28, doubles 16
2019 champ: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (has won the tourney four times).
The inaugural tournament was in 2003, and the event was not held last year.
Seeds (in order of seeding): Hubert Hurkacz, Pablo Carreno Busta, Gael Monfils, Alex de Minaur, Lorenzo Sonego, Ugo Humbert. Karen Khachanov, Nikoloz Basilashvili.
Other notables: As you would expect, there are several other French players taking part, including Gilles Simon (protected ranking), Richard Gasquet, and Arthur Rinderknech. Non-French players include Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Marton Fucsovics.
WCs: Sir Andy Murray, plus French players Gregoire Barrere, Lucas Pouille.
Astana Open, ATP 250
Surface : Hard indoor
Draw : Singles 28, doubles 16
Defending champ (2020): John Millman.
Four players are making their LC debuts this season – Matteo Berrettini, Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev, Casper Ruud. They are joined by Stefanos Tsitsipas, who debuted in 2019, and Alexander Zverev, who has played in the 3 previous tourneys.
Alternate: Feliciano Lopez
Captain: Bjorn Borg. Vice-captain: Thomas Enqvist
As usual, Team Europe is extremely strong, with all six players in the top 10 of the ATP rankings.
Captain: John McEnroe - Vice-captain: Patrick McEnroe
THE LAVER CUP
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| OSTRAVA ART DISTRICT SCENE (Ostrava is a large, spread-out city, not tourist-walking friendly. Historically it's known as the epicenter of Czech mining. Not as popular as a foreign tourist destination (Prague, etc.) but they're trying to change that) |
Sept. 20-26, 2021
Moselle Open, ATP 250
Arene de Metz
Metz, France
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| PARLEZ VOUS FRANÇAIS? |
Surface: Hard indoor
Draw: Singles 28, doubles 16
2019 champ: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (has won the tourney four times).
The inaugural tournament was in 2003, and the event was not held last year.
Seeds (in order of seeding): Hubert Hurkacz, Pablo Carreno Busta, Gael Monfils, Alex de Minaur, Lorenzo Sonego, Ugo Humbert. Karen Khachanov, Nikoloz Basilashvili.
Other notables: As you would expect, there are several other French players taking part, including Gilles Simon (protected ranking), Richard Gasquet, and Arthur Rinderknech. Non-French players include Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Marton Fucsovics.
WCs: Sir Andy Murray, plus French players Gregoire Barrere, Lucas Pouille.
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| ALLEMANDS - THE GERMAN GATE - METZ, FRANCE |
Astana Open, ATP 250
National Tennis Center
Nur-Sultan (formerly known as Astanta), Kazakhstan
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| ASTANA KHAN SHATYR A GIANT, TRANSPARENT TENT DESIGNED BY FAMOUS UK ARCHITECT - NORMAN FOSTER (Tent houses a huge shopping mall!) |
Draw : Singles 28, doubles 16
Defending champ (2020): John Millman.
This tournament was added to the 2020 provisional schedule because of changes due to Covid, and was given an additional single-year licence for 2021.
Seeds in order of seeding: Aslan Karatsev, Alexander Bublik, Dusan Lajovic, Filip Krajinovic, John Millman, Benoit Paire, Laslo Djere, Ilya Ivashka.
Other notables include: Miomir Kecmanovic, Lorenzo Musetti, Emil Ruusuvuori, Jiri Vesely.
WCs: Fernando Verdasco, and Mikhail Kukushkin,Timofey Skatov representing Kazakhstan.
SINGLES DRAW
Seeds in order of seeding: Aslan Karatsev, Alexander Bublik, Dusan Lajovic, Filip Krajinovic, John Millman, Benoit Paire, Laslo Djere, Ilya Ivashka.
Other notables include: Miomir Kecmanovic, Lorenzo Musetti, Emil Ruusuvuori, Jiri Vesely.
WCs: Fernando Verdasco, and Mikhail Kukushkin,Timofey Skatov representing Kazakhstan.
SINGLES DRAW
OOP
It is hard to classify the Laver Cup. Although it is on the ATP schedule, it is an invitational tourney and no ranking points are awarded. Named for tennis great Rod Laver, it also honours other tennis legends of the past. The Laver Cup is now in its fourth edition after it was cancelled last season amid all the tennis calendar upheaval.
Laver CupTD Garden, Boston, Mass.Sept. 24-26, 2021
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| TD GARDEN, BOSTON MA |
It is hard to classify the Laver Cup. Although it is on the ATP schedule, it is an invitational tourney and no ranking points are awarded. Named for tennis great Rod Laver, it also honours other tennis legends of the past. The Laver Cup is now in its fourth edition after it was cancelled last season amid all the tennis calendar upheaval.
With the unusual format of Team Europe vs Team World, the Laver Cup has been very popular, especially when both Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal were playing. Novak Djokovic World #1 isn't participating this year either. With the three superstars out, the tournament will depend on a variety of players.
TEAM EUROPE
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| NOT PICTURED - 2021 US OPEN CHAMP DANIIL MEDVEDEV OR NORWAY'S CASPER RUUD |
Alternate: Feliciano Lopez
Captain: Bjorn Borg. Vice-captain: Thomas Enqvist
As usual, Team Europe is extremely strong, with all six players in the top 10 of the ATP rankings.
TEAM WORLD
Two players are making their Laver Cup debuts – Felix Auger Aliassime and Reilly Opelka. They are joined by John Isner, Denis Shapovalov, Diego Schwartzman, and Nick Kyrgios, who will make his fourth appearance.
Alternate: Jack Sock
2021 is Team World’s best chance to win the Laver Cup after three years of coming close. It is a team led by the young Canadians Felix Auger-Aliassime and Denis Shapovalov. ~ Todd Woodbridge (Laver Cup website)
"Shipping Up to Boston" ~ Dropkick Murphys
THE LAVER CUP
Shirley Hartt 👌
** Don't forget to "Recommend"**
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