For Laura Granville, Midland Tennis Tourney is a Ball
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Laura Granville loves playing in the Dow Corning tennis Classic, "I love it here, but Ashley does too," said Granville after her 6-2, 6-1 semi-final straight-match win over Sandra Kloesel of Germany.
Ashley Harkleroad had already qualified for the final against Granville that morning.
Last Sundays final between the two was a culmination of a week of great tennis where 32 started with hopes of being right where Granville and Harkleroad were, playing for the title of the $75,000.00 tournament.
"These girls can really bring it, there's no joking around out there," said spectator Jerry Pokriefka as Granville was dispatching Kloesel.
(MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Leahy)
Harkleroad who is just 23, is currently ranked 74th in the world in singles and was the number one seed in Midland.
Granville, 26 hasn't played a lot of match's recently because she was attending class's but she was the second seed and had won the tournament in 2005 and was runner-up in 2003 and 2007.
In looking forward to her title match against Harkleroad, Granville said, "I haven't played a lot of match's lately but this tournament is nice because I get to play a lot, and just playing singles here should help me."
Harkleroad on the other hand battled her way into the title match in both singles and doubles.
Maybe Granville knew how difficult that can be as she has done it in the past.
Harkleroad was warming up for her semi-final doubles match late Saturday while Granville was heading out to rest for their final on Sunday.
(MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Leahy)
Granville easily won her second Dow Corning Classic defeating Ashley 6-1, 6-1.
Ashley who is currently on the US Fed Cup team went on to win the doubles championship with her partner Shenay Perry.
(MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Leahy)
Harkleroad has high aspirations in the tennis profession. In the official program it states her dream is being in the Top 10 in professional tennis.
She has the goods to get there.
She barely broke a sweat in her quarterfinal match while also winning the best dressed from my daughter. She is a sponsors dream with All-American looks and a vicious forehand. She now holds 12 USTA Pro Circuit titles and has the ability to flip a switch and turn a match around.
Granville just loves the Corning Classic too much to let Harkleroad flip that switch on her as she controlled the match from start to finish.
When I asked her the night before the final if she would battle any butterflies with a pre-final ritual she responded, "I haven't been in a bunch of finals to have any rituals yet, so I'll just do what I did today."
She might want to start one after her straight sets 6-1, 6-1 victory over Harkleroad.
(MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Leahy)
Just like Maria Sharapova, Justine Hennin and Anna Kournikova who graced the courts in Midland in past tournaments, Harkleroad may not be back.
(MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Leahy)
When asked if we will be seeing her again in Midland, her candid reply was, "I hope not, I hope to be playing in the WTA." Maybe once she realizes she won just over $8,000.00 this past week in Midland while being adored by the fans, we might be lucky enough to see her here again before she hits the big time.
Meanwhile Granville who seems right at home at the Dow Tournament enjoyed an $11,400.00 paycheck for her win.
(MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Leahy)
Although she's playing great tennis, she has her sights on different goals as she might be going back to school to pursue a psychology degree, so we might be lucky enough to have her back to defend her title next year.
This USTA Pro circuit is a pathway to the U.S. Open and tour-level competition for aspiring tennis players and a frequent battleground for established professionals.
One of only four $75,000.00 stops on the tour, The Dow Corning Classic enjoyed its twentieth year and has become one of the best tournaments in the country.
Eric Shuster Public relations representative for the USTA said, " I cover all the tournaments in the United States for the USTA but I always try to come to this tournament because it is by far one of the best because the professional way it is ran."
The Midland Community Tennis Center does a fantastic job of hosting the acclaimed tournament, while providing a friendly, family oriented environment.
On semi-Final Saturday they had three huge inflatables, face painting, Jewels the Clown creating balloon masterpieces and a magic show every fifteen minutes.
(MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Leahy)
When was the last time you seen a rabbit get pulled out of a hat?
They had a free family tennis clinic that morning and a tennis fashion show before the feature. Former tennis great Tracey Austin held a luncheon and hosted a cardio tennis clinic early in the week, while many adults fans were treated to a Global wine tasting and a dueling piano concert following featured matches.
There was always pre match entertainment and 15-minute halftime shows between featured matches.
They really do put on a good show in addition to the incredible tennis being played.
Being the only professional tennis tournament in Michigan, were lucky to have such a respected professional event right here in the Tri-Cities.
(MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Leahy)
(MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Leahy)
(MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Leahy)
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Kevin Leahy |
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