USPTA and SAP Open
A great team since 1995!
May 2008 -- For the past 14 years, the USPTA - through its Northern California Division - has played a vital role in the success of the SAP Open, the Bay Area's premier men's professional tennis tournament. According to USPTA member and eight-year tournament director Bill Rapp, "the Bay Area USPTA Professionals continue to be incredibly loyal and supportive - and truly help make the SAP Open one of the finest events on the ATP world tour." This year's tournament took place February 18-24 at the beautiful HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. We experienced many pieces of exciting tennis history. 2008 marked 120 years of world-class tennis in the Bay Area: our special salute to the USA Davis Cup team, hosting the 109-year old Davis Cup trophy at HP Pavilion, and 14-time Grand Slam champ "Pistol Pete" Sampras coming to town to kick things off on Monday night against Tommy Haas. We drew the largest opening night crowd (nearly 9,000) in 12 decades. Every match played at HP Pavilion was Webcast live by B2 Networks around the globe. Players from 23 countries. Two sets of identical twins in the doubles semis. SAP ambassador Andy Roddick took home his third SAP Open title. Four Stanford alumni battled for the doubles title. The rookies (Scott Lipsky and David Martin) grabbed their first ATP title over world's No. 1 team the Bryan brothers. Japan's Kei Nishikori and Czech Radek Stepanek made their Bay Area debuts and left lasting impressions. Strong crowds all week long. What a week it was - full of drama and excitement!
Andy Roddick. The official "tennis ambassador" for SAP, Roddick came to San Jose on a mission to grab his third title in San Jose. He played tough, smart tennis all week long, and his return of serve and backhand passes were stellar. He defeated Chris Guccione, Kei Nishikori, Mardy Fish and Guillermo Garcia-Lopez to reach the final. On Sunday, he capped off a great week in San Jose by defeating former world's No. 8, Czech Radek Stepanek, in straight sets.
Scott Lipsky and David Martin. This hard-working young pair wowed the San Jose crowd as they beat the top-seeded Bryan brothers to take home their first ATP doubles title. Currently tied for No. 14 in the ATP doubles race, these Stanford All-Americans beat the No. 2 seeds in the quarters and then defeated the Ratiwatana twins from Thailand in the semifinals. The "biggest win of our career to date" came on February 22 when they beat No. 2 seeds Mahesh Bhupathi and Mark Knowles - and, following the match, Martin celebrated his 27th birthday at center court by burying his face in the SAP Open birthday cake. On Sunday, when Martin and Lipsky played the Bryans, they seriously stepped up their games and, in the words of Bob Bryan "seemed destined to win this event." That win now has become their "biggest ever."
NORCAL USPTA - Over these 120 years, we've learned that the players on stadium court are always the focus. But it's the loyal support of NorCal's more than 700 USPTA tennis professionals that truly makes this event successful. Thank you for all you do to help make the SAP Open the Bay Area's premier professional tennis event!
|
