Sunday afternoon Ann Li (Devon,PA) captured her first professional title. Li was the 2017 Wimbledon junior finalist. She lost to fellow American Claire Liu in the second-ever all-American girls final at Wimbledon, dating back to 1947. Li was given a wild card by the USTA to play in this years Women’s Hospital Classic. She drew a tough first  round opponent in Alexa Graham. Graham, a standout North Carolina Tar Heel came off a terrific season with the team finishing ranked top 5 among all NCAA Division I teams. Li defeated Graham 6-3, 7-5. Li’s next round opponent was fellow teenage American stand out, Whitney Osuigwe. Osuigwe won the Rolland Garros junior title in 2017. Li went on to win 7-6, 6-1. Caty McNally became Li’s quarterfinal opponent after beating Madeleine Kobelt  6-3, 6-0. After defeating McNally 6-1, 6-3, Li beat Lorraine Guillermo in the semi finals 6-2, 3-6, 6-3. Her final opponent entered the week with 25 combined Pro Circuit titles but the teenager lived up to the hype beating Marcela Zacarias in three sets 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.

Congratulations to Ann Li on her first title. For more information on this years Women’s Hospital Classic please visit the tournament website.

Wimbledon junior singles finalist, Ann Li defeated fellow American Alexa Graham 6-3, 7-5. Li will look to continue her hot streak tomorrow against Whitney Osuigwe. Osuigwe and Li recently played each other at the Easter Bowl Championships. Osuigwe won 7-5, 7-6(5). Osuigwe is currently the 2nd ranked junior in the world while Li is ranked 14th.

Other winners today include Ellie Douglas (USA), Lorraine Guillermo (USA), Taylor Robinson (USA), and Caty McNally. McNally who qualified for the second straight year defeated Jaeda Daniel routinely with a 6-2, 6-2 victory.

Miami (OH) bound Makenzie Myers drew a large crowd as the local community cheered her on against Abigail Desiatnikov. Desiatnikov downed the wild card recipient 6-1, 6-0.
Caitlin Whoriskey is scheduled to play Ellie Douglas. Douglas is currently the number 23-rankd junior in the world. She reached the doubles quarterfinals at junior Wimbledon this year and also advanced to the third round in singles. She also reached the finals of Easter Bowl this spring.

Defending champion, Kennedy Shaffer will play Abigail Desiatnikov. Desiatnikov qualified this year and had a career high junior ranking inside the top 100.

To view Thursday July 27th schedule please visit USTA Pro Circuit

 

Caitlin Whoriskey almost returned to the United States after losing her doubles qualifying match for Wimbledon.

She had been in Great Britain for roughly a month playing other tournaments and wanted to take some time off before this week’s Women’s Hospital Classic at Wesselman Park.

But she and her partner decided to stay a few more days in London. A tournament supervisor eventually called them with news they made the main draw as the third and final Lucky Losers. They were told they were on-deck to play after a men’s match, which was already two sets to none.

“We were in a panic for a few minutes,” Whoriskey said. “But we got our heads straight, came up with a game plan and had fun because for me it was my first time playing there.”

Whoriskey and her partner, Ashley Weinhold, lost in two sets, but they made the right decision to stay around. Not every tennis player gets a chance to play the oldest and most prestigious tennis tournament in the world.

“The moment I stepped into the venue I was in awe,” Whoriskey said. “The tradition and the history that comes with it, it was a beautiful place. To be on the grounds was incredible.”

She will be the top-seeded singles player in the Women’s Hospital Classic main draw when play begins Tuesday. Qualifying is underway Sunday and Monday.

Still, her singles ranking is 368th compared to being 119th in doubles. She hasn’t played singles since late May because she got on a roll with doubles and wanted it to keep going until Wimbledon.

Whoriskey thought returning to Evansville would be good fit considering she finished as the runner-up the other time she played in 2014.

“I thought it would be a great opportunity to see what I can do and hopefully make the best of it like I did last time,” Whoriskey said. “Hopefully I can top that if I play well.”

Last year’s winner Kennedy Shaffer is returning to defend her title. Also in the main draw is 15-year-old Whitney Osuigwe, who is the top-ranked junior in the world.

Former Memorial High School standout Makenzie Myers was granted a wildcard for the second time before she heads to Miami University for her freshman year.

This is the 19th year Wesselman Park is hosting the USTA Women’s Pro Circuit event and the payout is larger than ever. The total purse is $15,000 compared previously being $10,000 in order to promote and provide financial support to the young and aspiring players.

There’s always a mix of players ranging from professionals like Whoriskey to juniors seeking their first few points.

“It’s a pretty decent level tournament,” Whoriskey said. “One girl has been top 200 but has had a lot of injuries lately and is looking to come back, and there are a lot of good college players who have done well in the NCAA tournament.”

If all goes to plan and she can stay healthy, playing singles more often will improve her ranking to a point where she can play qualifiers for grand slams. If not, she’ll go back to doubles.

Whoriskey is in Evansville for her first tournament since Wimbledon, and she’s optimistic she’ll leave just as satisfied.

“It’s going to be hot so hopefully everyone stays healthy and it’s a good tournament for everyone to come out and watch,” she said.