Tennis Classic in Midland on Feb. 9. (Michael Pieper/Creative Director)
By Patrick Sochacki
MIDLAND — It was a difficult moment at the Midland Tennis Center on Sunday, Feb. 9.
Ukranian singles finalist Anhelina Kalinina withdrew from the championship singles match, having suffered a toe injury the day prior during the semi-finals. By default, victory was handed to American finalist Shelby Rogers. Rogers was awarded $5,573; Kalinina was awarded $2,787.
The day continued with an exhibition match played between Rogers and doubles runner-up Yanina Wickmayer from Belgium.
On Saturday, Feb. 8, doubles players Caroline Dolehide and Maria Sanchez, both American, defeated Valeria Savinykh of Russia and Wickmayer, 6-3, 6-4. Dolehide and Sanchez split the $5,573 prize; Savinykh and Wickmayer split the $2,787 prize.
This USTA Pro Circuit event has been hosted at the Midland Tennis Center for the last 32 years. Dow has extended their partnership with the Tennis Center for three more years.
People show up in droves for the Dow Tennis Classic; something which Jerry O’Donnell, master of ceremonies at the Dow Tennis Classic, says is uncommon for most tennis tournaments. An average tournament usually brings out coaches, players and a handful of dedicated tennis fans. The Dow Tennis Classic brings spectators out all day long, every day, during the event.
“The Dow Tennis Classic is different than other tennis events,” says O’Donnell. “[Tennis professionals] don’t walk out to rock music at other events.”
Besides performing at the Dow Tennis Classic, O’Donnell is the general manager at the local ESPN radio affiliate WLUN-FM (100.9). He is also known as the “Voice of Dow Diamond,” where he announces all 70 Loons home games.
“This is a community event,” says O’Donnell. “There’s a community here that doesn’t exist in a lot of other places these tournaments are held. It’s just fun.”