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Yes,
it is true that Bridget Reichert advanced to the quarterfinals and
will meet Nataly Fleishman on Friday. But here are more things that
you won't learn from the local newspaper.
Bridget,
the 2007 Richmond City Champion, defeated Alicia Wise 7-5, 6-4,
after returning from a rain delay in which she was down 2-3 in the second
set. That's a pretty good showing for Alicia, who taught herself how to
play tennis after watching Martina Hingis on TV.
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In
2001, inspired by Hingis but having no prior exposure to the
sport, the Fredericksburg resident bought a cheap racquet and walked
to the public park to find someone to play.
A
few years later, she achieved a 5.0 rating and attended nationals
with a Richmond-based team. Although she has played doubles
here in the past, Alicia said she has given up playing with partners
for a year or so. "I need to concentrate on my
singles," she said, as her pet chihuahua Lucy sat on her
lap during the 20 minute delay.
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"I'm
not so confident in doubles and it costs so much to drive here from
Fredericksburg....I come to win. I like the challenge."
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As
far as the rain delay, not everyone minds them. "It
wouldn't be this tournament without one," laughed
CCV assistant pro Rob Oakes (left). Rob and his
partner Sears Driscoll defeated Grinnan/Miller and will meet
the Steinours on Thursday in the quarterfinals.
"I
like rain delays when I'm losing," added Margie Walsh.
Although yesterday she wasn't. Margie defeated Steph Green and
will play #1 seeded Petra Rampre in Friday's
quarterfinals. |
Rampre
has an amazing background. Growing up in a small town of 5,000
people in Slovenia, "in the middle of nowhere, between two
hills," she met a man who thought she showed athletic talent
and gave her a racquet. She started playing at age 10 and somehow
wound up playing a match several years later in the U.S., where Midlothian
resident Jack Moehling and his wife Sherry, provided housing. The
Moehlings saw something special in their enthusiastic and talented
houseguest.
"The
Moehlings helped me out so much. They traveled with me to Slovenia
to meet my parents (who own a pizzeria). They went with me to
Wimbledon," where she ate dinner with the Queen.
The
Moehlings helped Petra get training at the Palmer Academy in Florida, with
Coach Richard Matuszewski. Petra worked hard, 14 hours a day.
"I
put all my life into it."
Petra
became a top tour player, peaking as high as #162 in singles, and #85 in
doubles. At an exhibition in New Jersey, she warmed up Steffi Graf
and Martina Hingis.
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She
has been on the women's tour for 11 years now. Although she
"lives" in Atlanta, she really doesn't. Her Nissan
Stanza has almost 200,000 miles on it; 11k of those miles have come
just in the past three months.
"I
drive everywhere," she said, as she jumped from foot to foot,
exuberance oozing from every pore. "I stay with people
I've met through my international travel. I am my own
sponsor....no time to teach." |
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Jack
Moehling, Eva Barton & Petra Rampre |
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Petra's
prize money this year is about $2,000 (according to a tennis info
website). "I would like to get a green card. That would
be very nice. I am here only on a visa which has to be renewed every
three years."
The
visa she refers to is an O-1 Visa for athletes with extraordinary
ability.
Petra
said that the Mid-Atlantic Clay Court Championship was "Very nice.
Good competition." She would like to win all three events she
has entered. The prize money would total $4,500. If she
doesn't win, she says she will be OK with it. She studies Vipassana
Meditation, which she describes as a tool for "expanding your mind
and dealing with emotions."
"Things
arise and pass away. This is life," she explained.
"Meditating is a tool, it is how to handle everyday challenges."
Last
winter, Petra visited her parents in Slovenia. While there, her hair
fell out. She wears a bandana on her head now... and a beautiful
smile. To her, just
another little challenge to overcome.
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On
Wednesday afternoon, Salisbury
conducted a clinic for older junior players, promising a Special
Guest. When the juniors arrived, they found out that the
Special Guest was actually several Special Guests: Allison Ojeda,
Brendan Lynch, Andre Iriarte, and Oren Motevassel.
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"It's
a way to give back to the community here, to show our appreciation
for families that are providing housing, and thank the club for this
great tournament," said Iriarte, the #3 seed. He
and Lynch (both who are from Rockville, MD), worked with the juniors
on various skills, including spin serves.
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Andre
Iriarte (right) is staying with the Courtney family and the
Hargetts are providing housing for Brendan Lynch> |
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"When
I was a younger player, serving was tough for me to do," said Iriarte.
"So I thought that skill would be a good thing to focus on. To
try to make serving as easy as possible."
It's
saying a lot that Iriarte admits to having difficulty at anything,
considering how good he is on the court. He is the son of Raul
Iriarte, who was a member and Captain of the Bolivian team in the Davis
Cup. Raul taught his son how to play on a clay court just outside
Washington, D.C.
Andre
is studying Sports Management and Business, and hopes to travel. He
also wants to let everyone know that he is not currently dating anybody,
and in fact, he and Lynch had little reservations about letting this
article be their own personal dating service.
"I'm
available," said Andre.
"I'm
very available," said Brendan.
"Same!"
added Andre.
"Tell
people that I'm looking for a cute girl - say cute, not hot,"
Andre continued.
"Same!"
from Brendan.
"A
tennis girl, looking for a serious relationship," said Andre.
(Note: not sure whether he is serious about the serious.)
Brendan
piped in. "I'm looking for an intelligent, friendly girl."
"SAME!"
laughed Andre.
This
is their first time playing together in doubles. Scott Steinour put
them together. It appears to be a match made in heaven, at least so
far. Until they meet in the semis, maybe.
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Robert
Bareford (left) former #1 at Monacan, assisted with the
clinic. Zach Cerny is a Salisbury member and the top
player at James River. |
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"We
really appreciated that the pros would come out and hit with
us," said Zach Cerny. Zach was one of nearly
30 area players who participated in the two hour clinic.
Another
clinic is planned for Thursday afternoon. #2 seed David
McNamara plans to help out. |
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Chris
Edwards and Shad Harrell came off the court from their
Round of 16 doubles match looking solemn.
They
had just defeated Jeff and Bobby Newman 6-2, 6-0.. But
instead of playing in the quarter-finals, they will be defaulting.
"We
didn't think we'd get this far," explained Shad. Edwards
has already made plans for Thursday, which means Iriarte and Lynch
will be going directly to the semis.
Harrell
still shouldn't be too gloomy. He's off to Hampden-Sydney this
Fall, where he's been offered a spot on the tennis team. |
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Shad
Harrell played #3 and 4 for Central Region Champion Mills
Godwin this season. Edwards, a 2005 Collegiate grad,
attends Duke University. |
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In
other news:
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