Baldi, Black Top Seeds in ITF Grade 1 Yucatan Cup, with 31 Americans in Main Draws

While most of us here in the United States are preparing for the Thanksgiving holiday with our families, 31 American juniors are in Mexico this week, competing at the ITF Grade 1 Yucatan Cup in Merida.

Tornado Alicia Black, who hasn't played since winning the Grade B1 Pan American Closed in Tulsa six weeks ago, is the top girls seed, with Italy's Filippo Baldi, defending his 2012 title, the top boys seed.  Roman Saffiulin of Russia is the No. 2 boys seed, with Alejandra Cisneros of Mexico No. 2 in the girls draw.

The first rounds of singles were scheduled for today, but matches frequently run late into the evening at this tournament, so if you are reading this Tuesday morning, check the tournament website for updated results and draws.

The 12 US boys in the main draw are:  William Blumberg, Henrik Wiersholm, Dan Kerznerman(8), Julian Zlobinsky, Ulises Blanch, Robert Levine, Maximiliano Colorado Zavala, Tommy Paul, Alex Rybakov(13), Javier Restrepo, Jake DeVine and Anudeep Kodali.

The 18 US girls in the main draw, in addition to Black, are: Marie Norris, Claudia Wiktorin, Ally Miller-Krasilnikov, qualifier Sabrina Faybyshev, Jessica Ho, Camila Wesbrooks, Olivia Hauger, Usue Arconada(9), Mia Horvit, qualifier Stephanie Hazell, Ellyse Hamlin, Mary Haffey, Katrine Steffensen(3), Raquel Pedraza, Rianna Valdes(10), qualifier Ines Vias, qualifier Kenadi Hance and Mia Ruder-Hook.

This is the first year the Yucatan Cup is being played on clay. Back in September, the ITF announced the surface would switch to clay to give continuity of surface to this tournament and the Eddie Herr and Orange Bowl here in the US that directly follow it.