Dimovska, Watane Win ITF Grade 5 Titles; Hansson Claims Singles and Doubles in Edwardsville Futures; US Open Announces Serve Clock, Coaching, Timed Warmups and Attire Changes for Qualifying, Juniors and ACI

I attempt to keep up on the other tennis news, while covering Kalamazoo but something's got to give during those 12-hour days, and I apologize if I've missed a significant victory or a title in the past 10 days.

In ITF junior tournaments last week, 17-year-old Nada Dimovska won the singles title at the Grade 5 in Bulgaria, her first on the ITF Junior Circuit.  Dimovska, who was unseeded, defeated qualifier Ana Manea of Romania 6-1, 6-2 in the final.  At the Grade 5 in St. Lucia, unseeded Anju Watane won his first ITF junior singles title, claiming the winner's trophy via a walkover from fellow 17-year-old Jericho Grollman.  At the ITF Grade 4 in Mexico, no Americans reached the singles finals, but Camille Townsend and Katya Townsend won the doubles title, with the top seeds beating No. 7 seeds Kailen Galazka and Maria Tanasescu of Canada 6-4, 6-4 in the final.

In ITF action the previous week, 14-year-old Hina Inoue won her third ITF junior singles title, this one a Grade 4 in Colombia.  The No. 2 seeds beat top seed Laura Rico Garcia of Colombia 6-2, 7-5 in the final, and is now up to 248 in the ITF rankings.

None of the singles finals of the Pro Circuit events last week featured any Americans.  At the $25,000 Futures in Edwardsville Illinois, Ole Miss senior Gustav Hansson of Sweden the first two pro titles, taking the singles and doubles.  Hansson defeated fellow qualifier and recent Tulsa graduate Or Ram-Harel of Israel 6-1, 6-2 in the singles final and partnered with former Ohio State Buckeye Hunter Callahan to defeat top seeds Robert Galloway(Wofford) and Alex Lawson(Notre Dame) 6-3, 6-4 in the doubles final.

At the women's $25,000 tournament in Landisville Pennsylvania, unseeded 18-year-old Vera Lapko of Belarus won her first title at that level, beating Anna Karolina Schmiedlova of Slovakia 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(4) in the final.  Unseeded Sophie Chang and Alexandra Mueller won the doubles title, their third as a team, defeating No. 2 seeds Ksenia Lykina of Russia and Emily Webley-Smith of Great Britain 4-6, 6-3, 10-5.

The singles title at the $100,000 ATP Challenger in Aptos California went to unseeded Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan, who defeated unseeded Liam Broady of Great Britain 6-2, 6-3 in the final.  No. 3 seeds Ken Skupski(LSU) and Jonathan Erlich of Israel won the doubles title, defeating No. 4 seeds Jordan Thompson and Alex Bolt of Australia 6-3, 2-6, 10-8 in the final.

Last week the USTA announced the US Open would implement several initiatives intended to speed up the pace of play. One of the changes, the serve clock, was used last year for the juniors and the American Collegiate Invitation, and there was little backlash from players or officials. The full release is below:

US OPEN ANNOUNCES SERIES OF INNOVATIONS ACROSS NUMEROUS EVENTS 

Changes Made to Enhance Fan Experience, Increase Speed of Play and Create Consistent Standards for Competitors

Moves Continue History of Tennis Innovation at US Open

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., August 10, 2017 - The United States Tennis Association today announced a series of in-game innovations that will be implemented across a variety of events at the 2017 US Open.  The US Open events affected include: Qualifying Tournament, Junior Tournament, Wheelchair Invitational, American Collegiate Invitational, Champions Invitational.  The new enhancements will not be instituted in the main draws of singles, doubles or mixed doubles. The introduction of these measures will create a consistent standard in areas that have traditionally been undefined or difficult to enforce, as well as open the discussion for further changes at all levels.

The following will be introduced:

• Timing Related
• Serve Clock* – Players will be given 25 seconds to serve following the completion of a point.  This is a five-second increase from the stated rules of tennis, as published by the ITF.  The clock will begin after the chair umpire announces the score.  Time violation penalties will be assessed on infractions
• Warm-Up Clock* – A five-minute clock will be placed on all players during warm-ups prior to the start of matches.  At the completion of the five minutes, the umpire will announce the end of the warmup period.  After making this announcement, players will have 60-seconds to begin play.  A fine will be assessed on all infractions.
• Change of Attire – Players will be given five minutes to complete an attire change, during set breaks only.  As not all courts have the same proximity to changing areas, the clock will not begin until a player enters the changing area, and will end when a player leaves the changing area.  Time violation penalties will be assessed on infractions.

*a countdown display will be visible by players and fans for these innovations

• Coaching Related
• In-Match Coaching – Coaching will be allowed between coaches and players between points.  Coaching will be limited to only those in the designated player box.  Verbal coaching will be allowed while the player is on the same end of the court as the player box, while signal coaching will be permitted when the player box is on the opposite end of the court.

“The US Open has always been at the forefront of tennis innovation, from blue courts to electronic line calling, and beyond,” said Gordon Smith, Executive Director & Chief Operating Officer, USTA .  “Throughout the years we have consistently looked for ways to enhance the experience of both our players and our fans, and we think these changes will continue to move the sport in an exciting direction.”

“These innovations were reviewed by the Grand Slam Board for use in the designated tournaments at the 2017 US Open.  In addition, the decision to implement these standards was made in consensus with the two tours and was approved by the ITF Rules of Tennis Committee,” said Stacey Allaster, Chief Executive, Professional Tennis, USTA. “Both throughout the event and following its completion, we will gather and analyze data and reaction, and determine the next steps for future usage, as well as the potential for further innovation in other areas of the game.”