Doubles Title Goes to Stephanie Foretz Gacon, France/Alexa Glatch, United States, 4-6, 7-5, [10-7]
SARASOTA, April 17, 2011 – The USTA announced today that French player Claire De Gubernatis won the singles title in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4, at the $25,000 USTA Pro Circuit women’s event at The Oaks Club.
After losing the first two games of the first set, De Gubernatis began to get her rhythm in the third game by returning herculean drop shots and hitting long base line shots to force opponent Caroline Garcia to make errors. By game five, it was clear that De Gubernatis had Garcia’s nerve up.
“She hates my game, the left hand forehand,” De Gubernatis stated after the trophy presentation. “The goal today was to fight so that I would not regret anything.”
Garcia certainly had regrets even after De Gubernatis told the crowd post-match that “Caroline will be in the Top 100 soon, so don’t worry about this match today.”Garcia told reporters she started off very well, “and then I made mistakes,” she said in a tearful voice. “Today was not a good match, her forehand is very difficult for me.”
“Clarie’s experience showed today with the variety of shots to keep Caroline off balance,” said Oaks Club Director of Tennis, Tom Whitten.
“Caroline had a chance to come back in the second set, but ultimately did not. With a capacity crowd watching great tennis, it was another successful tournament at The Oaks Club.”
Also today, the doubles final was won by Stephanie Foretz Gacon of France and Alexa Glatch of the United States, defeating Maria Irigoyen of Argentina and Erika Sema of Japan 4-6, 7-5, [10-7].
Now in its third year as tournament host, The Oaks Club is recognized as one of the most active tennis facilities in the area, featuring twelve, state-of-the-art, HAR-TRU® tennis courts, including four lighted courts, recently renovated with the HydroGrid irrigation system and maintained to tournament standards. For more info: www.theoaksclub.com
ABOUT THE USTA PRO CIRCUIT:
With 88 tournaments throughout the country and prize money ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, the USTA Pro Circuit is the pathway to the US Open and tour-level competition for aspiring tennis players and a frequent battleground for established professionals. Last year, more than 1,000 men and women from more than 70 countries competed on the USTA Pro Circuit for approximately $3.2 million in prize money and valuable ATP World Tour and Sony Ericsson WTA Tour ranking points. Andy Roddick, Maria Sharapova, Andy Murray, Jelena Jankovic, James Blake, Justine Henin, John Isner, Melanie Oudin and Mardy Fish are among today’s top stars that began their careers on the USTA Pro Circuit. The USTA Pro Circuit is world class tennis administered on the local level and played on local tennis courts as part of the fabric of communities nationwide – an opportunity for current and new fans to experience the excitement and intensity of the professional game in their neighborhood.
Singles – Final
Claire De Gubernatis, France, def. Caroline Garcia, 6-4, 6-4,
Doubles Final
Stephanie Foretz Gacon, France/Alexa Glatch, United States, def. Maria Irigoyen, Argentina/Erika Sema, Japan 4-6, 7-5, [10-7]
