10-26-2003, 03:04 PM
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Cheesesteak GURU! Wiz with
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Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Tullytown
Posts: 3,325
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How big is tennis locally?
Without world's top players, Villanova tourney presses on
By Frank Fitzpatrick, Inquirer Staff Writer
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/sports/7098413.htm
Quote:
Yesterday's draw for the Advanta Championships was a mixed blessing for tournament organizers.
While the lunchtime session at the Philadelphia Museum of Art marked the official return of big-time tennis to the Philadelphia area after a three-year absence, it came back with a field that is missing the world's top five players.
No. 3 Serena Williams and No. 4 Lindsay Davenport withdrew earlier this month with injuries. No. 1 Justine Henin-Hardenne, No. 2 Kim Clijsters and No. 5 Jennifer Capriati chose not to compete.
"We still have eight [six now that world No. 8 Elena Dementieva and no. 15 Paola Suarez have also withdrawn] of the top 15 players in the world here, and there isn't a tournament anywhere that wouldn't be envious of that," said Peter Fishbach, tournament director.
Venus Williams (world No. 6), who is making her first appearance since suffering a stomach-muscle injury at Wimbledon, will be the top seed.
Organizers are counting on Martina Navratilova, who will be playing doubles at the Pavilion at Villanova, to help sell tickets, many of which remain, they announced yesterday.
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Is philly a big tenns city? How many of you watch and regularly follow tennis?
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