ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, July 27, 1996 TAG: 9607290021
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RALPH BERRIER JR. STAFF WRITER
THE USTA WOMEN'S CHALLENGER returns to Roanoke with a bigger purse and a talented field.
Just as the world's best tennis players begin their quest for precious metal at the Olympics, a foreign delegation descends upon the Roanoke Valley.
The United States Tennis Association's return to the valley features a foreign flavor when the $25,000 USTA Women's Challenger of Roanoke begins Sunday at Hunting Hills Country Club. Seven of the tournament's top 10 seeds - including each of the top six - were born outside of the United States.
After a one-year hiatus to secure more sponsorship and a bigger purse, the USTA tournament will run through Aug.4, with matches taking place all day for eight days.
Japan's Nana Miyagi, a finalist in the 1988 Roanoke tournament, will be the tournament's No.1 seed. Miyagi, 25, is ranked 99th in the world and recently knocked off No.16 Lindsay Davenport and Sabine Hack before losing to Arantxa Sanchez Vicario in the semifinals of the Japan Open.
The highest-seeded American in the main draw is No.7 Janet Lee of Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif.
``This draw is very deep with talent,'' said John Barker, head pro at Hunting Hills. ``It's going to be a battle between tour veterans and the world's brightest young stars.''
Barker said the tournament is deeper with talent because of the increased prize money. Following the 1994 Roanoke tournament, which had a $10,000 purse, organizers decided to postpone the '95 tournament and work toward making the '96 tournament stronger.
The Salem-Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce took over much of the organizing and was able to secure Lewis-Gale Medical Center as the event's title sponsor.
``The $25,000 has really helped improve our field,'' said Barker.
Some of the players are more noted for their sibling ties. Mashona Washington is the 19-year-old sister of MaliVai Washington, this year's Wimbledon runner-up. Rebecca Jensen, the sister of pro players Luke and Murphy Jensen, is listed as an alternate.
The qualifying rounds will be Sunday and Monday and will be free to the public. The rest of the week, matches will begin at 9 a.m. with feature matches slated for 6 p.m. on Tuesday through Friday.
Semifinals begin Aug.3, at 11 a.m. in singles and doubles. The singles finals will be at 1 p.m. on Aug.4, followed by the doubles finals.
Ticket booklets for the entire tournament are $20 and can be purchased by calling the Chamber of Commerce at 387-0267 or Hunting Hills at 387-0267. Tickets for individual sessions are priced as follows: $3 for Tuesday and Wednesday, $4 for Thursday, $5 for Friday, $6 for Saturday and $7 for Sunday.
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