Former Major Champion and Rising American Stars Headline USTA Pro Circuit Acceptance List
TYLER, TX (October 12, 2017) The USTA announced Thursday that Francesca Schiavone, 2011 French Open Champion, will headline the field at the RBC Pro Challenge in Tyler, Texas. Currently ranked no. 82, Schiavone reached a career high of no. 4 in the world during the 2011 season. The player field has an initial acceptance list containing main draw players ranked between 82-166 in the world.
The field contains a trio of former ITF Junior World No. 1’s; Katernya Bondarenko(UKR), Taylor Townsend(USA) and Kayla Day(USA). Former top 10 player Patty Schnyder will continue her comeback to pro tennis in Tyler. NCAA Singles Champions Nicole Gibbs(Stanford) and Jamie Loeb(North Carolina) lead a strong group of American women, including Day, Townsend and 18 year old Sofia Kenin. Nine Americans in total have confirmed acceptances into the main draw.
The RBC Pro Challenge will be held October 29 – November 5, and is one of three qualifying tournaments in the USTA’s Australian Open Wild Card Challenge. The American woman who earns the most WTA ranking points at two of three tournaments (Macon, Tyler, Waco) will earn a main draw wild card into the 2018 Australian Open.
“This is an incredible field,” Scott McCulloch, Tournament promoter said. “We’re so excited to have players of this quality and ranking right here in Tyler. It’s not often you get an opportunity to watch former major champions in your backyard.”
For tickets and more information, visit www.RBCProChallenge.com