Calabasas Hosts Region's Only US Tennis Association Men's Pro Circuit Championships

While the world’s greatest pros are busy slugging it out in Indian Wells just two and half hours southeast of Los Angeles, the USTA Men’s Pro Tennis Championships of Calabasas are concluding final rounds of qualifying Monday with main draw action set to begin on Tuesday at the Calabasas Tennis & Swim Center.

A trio of young Americans and a former Top 10 player in the world highlight the field of participants in the $15,000 USTA Pro Circuit event as defending champion and former University of Tennessee All-American Tennys Sandgren comes in as the top-seeded player ranked No. 216 in the ATP World Tour rankings. The 2010 NCAA Singles Champion from Stanford Bradley Klahn will be the No. 2 seed player, currently ranked No. 223 in the world, and last year’s Calabasas finalist Daniel Kosakowski formerly of UCLA comes in at No. 3 (No. 247).

On the comeback trail after a successful professional career that ended in 2009, a wild card was given to Nicolas Massu of Chile. Now 33-years-old, Massu made it all the way to No. 9 in the world rankings during his successful career and is a two-time Olympic gold medalist. He will play in the featured night match on Tuesday night.

In 2004, Massu became the only male player to win both the singles and doubles gold medals during the same Olympic Games. Massu also reached the final of the 2003 Madrid Masters and won six ATP singles titles.

Also in the main draw are Valley resident and former USC star Prakash Amritraj and current UCLA sophomore Marcos Giron, who was granted a USTA wild card.

“We’re excited to once again be hosting the only USTA Pro Circuit event in Ventura County and the San Fernando Valley,” said tournament director Jeff Richards. “We’ve had some great qualifying action this weekend and eight big qualifying spots will be filled after play on Monday.”

Admission is free to the general public until Friday. Beginning then through the finals on Sunday, tickets will be $10 for adults and kids under 14-and-under free.

Community events include:

• Adult pro-am drill Friday, March 15, from 9 to 11 a.m.
• Community Tennis Association & USTA League appreciation night on Friday, March 15, starting at 6 p.m.
• Kids’ Day with a Tennis Carnival will take place Saturday, March 16, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.  

In addition to daily updates, Richards will be tweeting fun details and inside tournament happening during the tournament on Twitter @calabasastennis. Check the tournament website for draws and scores at the official website, www.calabasasprotennis.com.

Monday’s singles qualifying final round schedule beginning at 10 a.m.