Play continued on Thursday at the 25K Tesoro Women's Open a USTA Pro Circuit event in Port St. Lucie, Florida.
Featuring 11 state-of-the-art Har-Tru tennis courts, a full-service pro shop, locker rooms, infinity edge pool and gourmet dining at the First Serve Café, Racquet Club at Tesoro is the perfect venue to host this, the second USTA Pro Circuit event of 2013.
A mix of young players, combined with others who have experienced success on the WTA and USTA Pro Circuit have turned out this week at Tesoro.
It was the players with experience that advanced out of Thursday's play and into the quarterfinals.
That list starts with Shuai Zhang, a Chinese player with tour and Grand Slam success. Zhang won a battle with a young Swiss player Belinda Bencic, 6-4, 7-5.
Zhang competed for China in the 2012 Olympics in London and has played in the main draw of all four Grand Slam events. In doubles, she reached the quarterfinals of the 2012 US Open, defeating now-retired Kim Clijsters in the first round. Zhang peaked at a No. 73 in the world in 2011 and is currently ranked No. 34 in the WTA doubles rankings.
Also advancing was tournament No. 2 seed, Sharon Fichman of Canada. Fichman lost in the qualifying draw in Australia last week and then headed to Florida to get some additional matches.
Fichman next plays Adriana Perez, a tough Venezuelan player who knocked off Renata Voracova in the second round.
Quarterfinal play takes place on Friday, and tournament officials couldn't be more excited.
"The USTA loves this facility and sees our event as a tune-up to the majors", says Tournament Director Winston Owen. "We expect to see some great action and world-class tennis at this week's event.
In addition to the players and fans enjoying this week's event, some four-legged friends will be hoping to find a home. The Humane Society of the Treasure Coast will be the benefiting charity for tournament. Dogs from the local humane society will be up for adoption at the tournament throughout the week.
Follow all the action this week at www.tesorochallenger.com.
Comments