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| Reka-Luca Jani |
TARVISIO - Great tennis still in Valcanale. The coronavirus does not stop the "City of Tarvisio Cup", the popular international event now in its sixth edition. Many athletes included in the top 250 in the world ready to challenge each other with forehands, backhands and volleys on the clay courts of the Via Atleti Azzurri d'Italia club. Still endowed with a prize pool of 25,000 dollars, the tournament - included in the ITF professional circuit - will start today, 7 September 2020, with qualifications. The following day, in addition to the conclusion of the preliminary round, the main draw will also begin.
The appointment was organized in compliance with the anti Covid-19 protocols envisaged by the ITF.
After three Slovenian and one Swiss victories, last year the sky above Tarvisio was tinged with the Italian flag thanks to the victory of Bianca Turati, who was able to win the final 6-3, 6-1 over the Brazilian Paula Cristina Goncalves. The Brianza will be on stage again this year to defend the title, but will have to start from the qualifications, like her twin Anna.
A “HABITUÈ” AS THE FIRST SERIES
There are many athletes who are part of the top 250 in the world expected in Valcanale. The favorite, ranking in hand, will be the Hungarian Reka-Luca Jani, already seen in many editions of the "City of Tarvisio Cup" and whose race in 2019 stopped in the semifinals, where she was defeated by the triumphant Turati. Current number 202 of the WTA rankings, he will try again this year, with his solid and powerful tennis. Second in the ranking will be the Russian Victoria Kan, now in 220th international position, while the Austrian Julia Grabher, 224 in the world, completes the podium. The Brazilian Gabriela Ce is also at the start, able to climb up to the semifinal last year. Argentine Paula Ormaechea could have her say in Tarvisio, just defeated by Italian Sara Errani after three hard-fought WTA 125,000 euro sets in Prague.
CAREGARO LEADS THE BLUE PATROL
In addition to the hope of a reconfirmation of Anna Turati, capable of winning and convincing in the last edition, the Azzurri fans also have expectations of Martina Caregaro, the Italian with the best ranking in the event: the Aosta Valley is number 293 WTA. Stefania Rubini, after exiting the second round in 2019, will try to redeem herself. The wild cards of the main draw were assigned to the young and promising Melania Delai and Lisa Pigato, while those of the qualifiers went to the Friulian Margherita Marcon, already in the national team and color bearer of the new Gt Udine club, to Sara Taboga and Sara from Trieste Ziodato.
QUALIFICATIONS STARTING FROM MONDAY 7 SEPTEMBER
The start of the 2020 edition is set for Monday 7 September with the first round of qualifying. The following day, however, here are the first matches of the main draw. In both cases, 32 tennis players will be at the starting line.
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 13 THE FINAL
The sixth edition of the "City of Tarvisio Tennis Cup", after days full of emotions and exchanges full of pathos and energy, will live its final act on Sunday 13 September at 10.30 with the final. The final of the doubles is also scheduled for Saturday 12, in addition to the two semi-finals of the singles.
THE FVG FOR A MONTH THE TENNIS CAPITAL
A true international tennis capital. This is, between August and September, the Fvg, where the great international racquet events follow one another for a month. Tarvisio is one of the four important tennis events in the region together with the tournaments of Cordenons (men with prize money of 42,500 dollars), Grado (women of 25,000 dollars), and Trieste. The event in Valcanale, organized by the Tarvisio Tennis Club, is possible thanks to the commitment of the Sports and Tourism departments of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, the Municipality of Tarvisio and the Bim Consortium (Basin Imbrifero Montano della Drava).
Piero Tononi, already at the forefront of the various regional events, has been reconfirmed as director of the tournament, while the international referee will be the Sardinian Guido Pezzella, already in the same role in 2017 in Valcanale.
THE EXPECTATIONS OF THE ORGANIZERS
«We are happy to have been able to confirm an important appointment like Tarvisio - commented Antonio De Benedittis, president of the regional Fit -. The one in Valcanale will be the third of four ITF international tournaments, without forgetting the male challengers of Trieste and Cordenons: for a month, Fvg is at the center of the spotlight of international tennis and this can only make us proud ».
«Organizing the tournament was an unthinkable possibility only until recently - adds Giuseppe Montanaro, president of the Asd Tennis Club Tarvisio - and instead now we are here, ready to live another adventure. We are excited and determined also for this edition. Thanks to the sponsors, the organizing committee and Fit for their trust in our club ». Now all that remains is to wait to enjoy the first exchanges on the Tarvisian land.