Category: Miscellaneous

Ellie Mae Classic: Curry opens with 71, still can make cut

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Photo credit: @gswdubnation_

By Jeremy Harness

The first round of the Ellie Mae Classic is in the books, and there are some new faces on top of the leaderboard, and those guys hope to use this tournament to get–or stay–inside the top-25 of the Web.com Tour.

One of those names is Seth Reeves, who started Thursday’s play ranked 88th on the tour’s money list, and he could get inside the top-25 list with a win. He is tied for the lead after shooting an opening-round seven-under 63.

Among those also tied at the top are Adam Long, who is currently No. 23 on that list and could rise up to fourth with a win, and Spaniard Samuel Del Val, who could jump 82 spots from his current position at No. 117.

The main attraction, of course, has been Golden State Warriors’ star Stephen Curry, and he made an even bigger impression than he did in last year’s event. And, of course, he drew the much bigger crowds than the other group that took to the course on Thursday.

Starting on the 10th hole Thursday morning, Curry stumbled a bit out of the gate. He parred his first three holes but then bogeyed three of the next four holes.

However, Curry rallied very nicely on his second nine. After bogeying the second hole, he began turning things around with a birdie at the par-five third. He then got two birdies in a row at the seven and eighth to walk into the clubhouse with a first-round score of 71, which is three strokes better than his opening-round 74 from last year.

Technically, Curry can still make the cut, but he will have to have a dynamite round on Friday to do it. The cut line, which will be determined at some point Friday, figures to be at least two-under par. So, in other words, his showing has certainly improved over the past year, but he will need to do much more if the crowds that have flocked to TPC Stonebrae hope to see him through the weekend.

Aces see playoff hopes slipping away in 89-73 loss to Lynx

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20180624 - Kayla McBride 02

Photo credit: Shawn McCullough, Sports Radio Service

By Shawn McCullough

Things looked promising at the All-Star break for the playoff chances of the Las Vegas Aces, but after five straight losses, playoffs are now very unlikely.

The Aces lost to the Minnesota Lynx 89-73 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.

“We really can’t hang our head down about this loss,” said forward A’ja Wilson. “We really just have to keep pushing especially when trying to make a playoff push. You really don’t know what’s going to happen. So for us to just keep reaching for our playoff goals and see that light.”

Wilson scored a team-high 18 points and pulled down six rebounds while the team’s second leading scorer this season, Kayla McBride, was held to just seven points.

The 73 points scored by the Aces was the lowest point total since an 87-71 loss to the Sparks in Los Angeles on July 1st.

“You have to win games on the road and games at home, so we can’t use that as an excuse for our lapse of tonight,” said guard Tamera Young on their struggles after the All-Star break. “We just have to be more mature and communicate and bring the intensity every single game. It’s our profession and job, it’s what we have to do.”

With the loss, the Aces fell to 12-18 on the season and are 2.5 games out of the eighth and final playoff spot, currently held by Dallas, with just four games remaining in the regular season.

The remaining schedule is as follows:

8/11 – vs Indiana
8/15 – vs New York
8/17 – at Dallas
8/19 – vs Atlanta

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

  • A’ja Wilson scored in double figures (18) for the 30th straight game.
  • The Aces were held to just 37.5% shooting from the field.
  • The Aces were out-rebounded 40-30.
  • 4,497 Aces fans attended the game at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.

Game Starters:

F – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 1 Tamera Young
C – 8 Carolyn Swords
G – 21 Kayla McBride
G – 10 Kelsey Plum

Ellie May Classic preview: Large crowds expected to come out for Curry

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Photo credit: @gswdubnation_

By Jeremy Harness

There is a possibility that the PGA Tour could be heading to the Bay Area–closer than Napa or Monterey–soon. In the meantime, however, the Web.com Tour–the minor-league affiliate of the PGA Tour–is here, and it is getting ready to kick off again.

The Ellie Mae Classic will commence play Thursday morning at Hayward’s TPC Stonebrae, and there will be a familiar face on the course, at least for the first two days.

Warriors’ guard Stephen Curry, who is a scratch golfer, will make his second appearance at this event. He is not expected to make the cut, but that will not stop fans from coming out on Thursday and Friday to get an up-close glimpse of the NBA star.

Curry will tee it up alongside Northern California natives Martin Trainer and Cameron Champ, who won the Utah Championship just three weeks ago. The group will begin Thursday’s first round at 9:06 am PST and will start on the 10th hole.

The group will play later on in the day on Friday, as the threesome will go off at 2:26 pm PST, as the tour gives players one morning tee time and one in the afternoon for the first two days, after which the cut line will be established.

Curry did not make the cut last year, but he did give a good account of himself after shooting a pair of 74’s.

He is playing on a sponsor’s exemption, which means that he did not have to go through local qualifying for the event. NFL Hall of Fame receiver Jerry Rice, on the other hand, went through local qualifying, but it did not go very well at all, as he withdrew after only 10 holes in the Monday qualifier.

Last year’s event was won by Martin Piller, who is now on the PGA Tour.

Aces falter in the fourth quarter, fall to Dream 109-100

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Wilson

Photo credit: Las Vegas Aces

By Shawn McCullough

The Atlanta Dream scored eight of the last 10 points of the game to beat the Aces 109-100 at McCamish Pavilion.

The Aces led 84-80 after three quarters, but Atlanta outscored Las Vegas 29-16 in the fourth quarter.

Four Aces scored in double digits including a team high 20 points from point guard Kelsey Plum.

Kayla McBride dropped 19 points, while A’ja Wilson added 18.

With the loss, the Aces have now lost four straight games coming out of the All-Star Break and have now dropped 2.5 games out of a playoff spot with five games remaining in the regular season.

The Aces will next return home on Thursday night to face the Minnesota Lynx at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com 

Game Notes:

  • The Aces shot 48.6% from the field and 42.9% from three point range.
  • The Aces out rebounded the Dream 34-29.
  • A’ja Wilson scored in double figures (18) for the 28th straight game.
  • The Aces gave up a franchise high 109 points for the second straight game.
  • The WNBA announced that the game between the Aces and the Mystics in Washington D.C., that was canceled due to Las Vegas travel issue, will count as a forfeit and a loss for the Aces.

Game Starters:

F – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 1 Tamera Young
C – 8 Carolyn Swords
G – 21 Kayla McBride
G – 10 Kelsey Plum

Aces drop their second straight game in 109-88 loss to Sun

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Photo credit: Las Vegas Aces

By Shawn McCullough

Head coach Bill Laimbeer knew that the All-Star Break layoff was a very important time for his team to remain focused on their playoff push, but what he feared is becoming reality.

The Aces have struggled losing their second straight game out of the break 109-88 to the Sun in Connecticut.

This is the second straight game that their opponent has scored over 100 points, a feat that no team has done against the Aces since May 31st when the Seattle Storm beat Las Vegas 101-74.

Rookie A’ja Wilson scored 24 points while point guard Kelsey Plum dropped 21, going 5 for 6 from three point range.

The Aces committed 14 turnovers while being out-rebounded 35-26.

With the loss, the Aces dropped to 12-15 on the season and are 1.5 games out of the eighth and final playoff spot.

The Aces will next play the Dream in Atlanta on Tuesday.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

  • The Aces took the lead early, but the Sun never trailed after 3:06 into the game.
  • A’ja Wilson scored in double figures (24) for the 27th straight game.
  • The 109 points given up by the Aces was the most in franchise history.
  • The WNBA announced that the 2019 All-Star Game will be held in Las Vegas.

Game Starters:

F – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 1 Tamera Young
C – 8 Carolyn Swords
G – 21 Kayla McBride
G – 10 Kelsey Plum

Buzarnescu, Sakkari win semifinals, will meet in all-Euro Final on Day 6 of the Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic

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Photo credit: @MubadalaSVC

By Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Greek Maria Sakkari is making a believer out of the San Jose crowds. After being two games away from elimination, the comeback kid from Greece once again rallied from a three game deficit to win the second set 7-5 and eventually the match over the American Danielle Collins 3-6, 7-5, 6-2 in the featured semifinal match on Saturday evening at the Spartan Tennis Complex.

Collins cruised through the first set 6-3 and was up 4-1 in the second set looking to make quick work of Sakkari. However, the momentum seemed to turned when Collins was about to serve, a fan had yelled down from the stands, disrupting Collins, who was visibly upset by the distraction.

It would seem to spark Sakkari–as Collins’ frustration would continue to grow–as she roared back to win the next six out of seven games to even it up the match and force the deciding third set.

“I felt that she was obviously getting nervous when I was coming back,” said Sakkari. “I mean every one get nervous. When I was down 4-1, that’s not when the match changed (in my favor).”

Despite the loss, Collins said it was a good week for her in the Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic.

“I think I had a great week,” said Collins. “I was excited to get a couple of wins under my belt. Also, a great match today. I think it’s a lot of good momentum heading into the rest of the hard court season.”

When asked if she would be able to sleep the night before her chance at her first singles in 2018, and first in three years since she turned pro, Sakkari wasn’t sure at the moment.

“I will let you know tomorrow,” said Sakkari.

In the first semifinal match earlier Saturday, Romanian Miheala Buzarnescu defeated number four seeded Elise Mertens in the semifinal of the MSVC in three sets 4-6, 6-3, 6-1. After losing the first set to Mertens, Buzarnescu was able to take control of the second set and never looked back.

Mertens was suffering from an arm injury during the third set that ultimately led to her downfall as she was only able to win one game. Buzarnescu took advantage of Mertens’ injury and cruised through the third set on her way to the final showdown against Sakkari.

“Both of us I think we had really bad conditions, it was hot and dry and everything,” said Buzarnescu. “I just tried to stay positive and be more aggressive with her, keep my calm and play every ball inside the court.”

In doubles action, Latisha Chan and Kveta Peschke defeated Miyu Kato and Makoto Ninmiya 6-1, 6-4 to advance to the finals. They will faceoff against the Ukrainian twin sister duo of Lyudmyla and Nadiia Kichenok, who defeated Mihaela Buzarnescu and Heather Watson in an epic semifinal match 6-4, 3-6, 10-8.

Game Notes: For the first time since 2010, the tournament final will not feature a seed lower than the top four. Fifth seed Maria Sharapova was defeated by eighth seed Victoria Azarenka when it was known as the Bank of the West Classic.

Sunday’s Finals Schedule
Doubles Final: Latisha Chan and Kveta Peschke vs. Lyudmyla and Nadiia Kichenok at 12 pm PDT.

Singles Final: Maria Sakkari vs. Miheala Buzarnescu at 2 pm PDT.

Venus Williams ousted by Sakkari to conclude Day 5 of the Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic

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Photo credit: @MubadalaSVC

By Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE, Calif. — And then there were no more Williams sisters. Venus Williams became the latest casualty at the Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic at the Spartan Tennis Complex on Friday night as Maria Sakkari defeated her 6-4, 7-6 (2) in the featured quarterfinal match on Friday to conclude Day 5 of the MSVC.

In early quarterfinal action, Mahela Buzarnescu defeated Ajla Tomljovanic 6-1 7-5 in the opening match of the Quarterfinals of the MSVC. Buzarnescu kept Tomljanovic off balanced through the set match to reach the semifinals. Tomljanovic was a victim of her own unforced errors in the match.

“I thought she (Buzarnescu) played a pretty flawless first set, not much I could’ve done there,” said Tomljovanic. “I think maybe she gave me a few openings there. I got in position to serve for the set but didn’t really take my chances and it kind of goes away quickly (when you don’t take advantage) with players like that.”

Johanna Konta, who  gave Serena Williams her worst loss of her career earlier this week, had her luck run out as she was defeated by Elise Mertens 7-6, 6-3. Mertens is the highest remaining seeded player (fourth) remaining in the MSVC.

Victoria Azarenka looked to be on her way to a semifinal berth, but was forced to retire in the second set due to injury to the American tennis player Danielle Collins. Azarenka had won a spirited first set 7-6, but the injury hampered her at the beginning of the second set. Collins took advantage and was up 3-0 before Azarenka could not longer proceed with the match.

For the doubles, Konta and Shuai Zhang were defeated by the duo of Mihaela Buzarnescu and Heather Watson 7-5, 6-2. Miyu Kato and Makoto Ninomiya defeated Georgina Garcia Perez and Priscilla Hon 6-4, 6-2.

Sakkari lacks in height, but makes up for it with her speed and power, which for the most of the match seemed to tire out Williams. Sakkari, an Athens, Greece native, rallied twice after being down 0-3 in the first set and 3-5 in the second.

“I was ready for the match compared to the last time I played her (Williams),: said Sakkari. “I knew my serve was not there. I never stopped fighting (or) believing that I could win the match.”

Upcoming Schedule for Saturday, August 4
Singles — Semifinals
Elise Mertens (4) vs. Mihaela Buzarnescu at 1 pm PDT.

Danielle Collins vs Maria Sakkari  at 7 pm PDT.

Doubles — Semifinals
Latisha Chan and Kveta Peschke vs. Miyu Kato and Makota Ninmiya at 2:30 pm PDT.

Lyudmyla Kichenok and Nadiia Kichenok vs. Mihaela Buzarnescu and Heather Watson at 5 pm PDT.

Aces-Mystics game canceled in Washington, D.C.

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20180601 - A'ja Wilson 11

Photo credit: Shawn McCullough, Sports Radio Service

By Shawn McCullough

It was a very long 24+ hours for the Las Vegas Aces.

The team was scheduled to depart McCarren International Airport in Las Vegas for Washington, D.C. at 1:13 pm Pacific on Thursday, but the flight was delayed multiple times for a total of close to eight hours and later canceled.

The team connected in Dallas early in the morning and later arrived in Washington, D.C. at 3 pm Eastern, four hours before the scheduled tip-off at Capital One Arena.

The WNBA delayed the start of the game to 8 pm Eastern and later decided to cancel the game.

Since fans had already arrived at the arena for the game, the Mystics organized a free autograph session with the Mystics players, refunded all tickets purchased and offered complimentary tickets to a future Mystics game.

The Aces will next play in Connecticut on Sunday against the Sun.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic continues without Williams; Azarenka shines in Day 3

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Photo credit: @MubadalaSVC

By: Ana Kieu

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic resumed at the Spartan Tennis Complex all day Wednesday. In case you missed it, American tennis star Serena Williams suffered the most lopsided loss of her 23-year career to British tennis player Johanna Konta, who clearly found her form in a spectacular style to hand the upset to Williams.

But, Wednesday was a new day, and the show went on without Williams. Day 3 featured a variety of global tennis players along with cute pups of those players.

Round 2 of the Ladies’ Singles went in this particular order. Belgium’s Elise Mertens downed USA’s Ashley Kratzer in a lopsided 6-2, 6-0 victory that very much resembled Williams’ disappointing loss Tuesdsay night. Konta continued her success with a 6-1, 6-4 victory over USA’s Sofia Kenin. There was still some all-American power, as USA’s Danielle Collins beat Belarus’ Vera Lapko with a final score of 6-1, 3-6, 6-1. The hectic day of singles was capped off with a match between Belarus’ Victoria Azarenka and Russia’s Anna Blinkova. Azaranka pretty much had both sets from start to finish as she was victorious in a 6-1, 6-0 victory over Blinkova, who scored just one point early in Set 1.

“I felt pretty satisfied with winning a tough match” said Azarenka. “Today was obviously more one-sided and I wish I could’ve played better, but it’s still a win and I feel kind of the same (after the two-hour difference between Wednesday’s matches).”

Round 1 of the Ladies’ Doubles featured Japan’s Miyu Kato and Makoto Ninomiya, who defeated Poland’s Magdalena Frech and USA’s Maria Sanchez in a 1-6, 7-5, 1-0 defeat.

Notes
Spanish-Venezuelan tennis star Garbine Muguruza was forced to withdraw due to an arm injury. Russia’s Anna Blinkova replaced Muguruza in Wednesday’s match versus Belarus’ former world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka.

Hungary’s Timea Babos signed autographs for the fans at USTA NorCal booth Wednesday afternoon at 1 pm PDT.

Up Next
Order of Play for Thursday, August 2.

Starting at 11 am PDT 
Romania’s Mihaela Buzarnescu [5] vs. USA’s Amanda Anisimova [Q]

Not before 1 pm PDT
Greece’s Maria Sakkari vs. Hungary’s Timea Babos [8]

Followed by 
Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic vs. USA’s Madison Keys [2]

Not before 7 pm PDT
USA’s Venus Williams [3] [WC] vs. United Kingdom’s Heather Watson

Followed by
Russia’s Anna Blinkova vs. Russia’s Natela Dzalamidze vs. USA’s Kaitlyn Christian and USA’s Sabrina Santamaria or Ukraine’s Lyudmyla and Ukraine’s Nadiia Kichenok [3]

No. 1 seed Garbine Muguruza forced to withdraw from Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic

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Photo credit: @livetennis

By: Ana Kieu

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic No. 1 seed Garbiñe Muguruza has been forced to withdraw from the event due to a right arm injury. Muguruza will be replaced in the draw by lucky‐loser Anna Blinkova, who will play two‐time Grand Slam champion Victoria Azarenka tonight at 7 pm PDT.

“I’ve been feeling some pain in my right arm for a couple of days and realized I am not ready to play the match, so hopefully I can recover for the next tournaments,” said Muguruza.

“The facilities in San Jose are very nice, especially the courts. This is a tournament I always play at the start of the US Open Series so I hope to come  back and see all my fans next year.”

“We were really looking forward to seeing Garbiñe compete here at the tournament, but the players’ health must always be the number one priority,” said tournament director Vickie Gunnarsson. “She’s one of the WTA’s bright young stars and we hope she is able to recover quickly.”

Tickets for the Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic are available at www.MubadalaSVC.com.

Seven‐time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams takes the court against Heather Watson Thursday at 7 pm PDT, while defending champion and No. 2 seed Madison Keys will play Ajla Tomljanovic during Thursday’s day session.

Formerly known as the Bank of the West Classic in Palo Alto, the Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic is a week-long WTA Premier event bringing the worlds of tennis and technology together in a festival of sports and entertainment. The new venue at San José State University will provide a high‐end, family friendly atmosphere and will put fans close to the action as they watch their favorite stars compete.

Highlighting the best the region has to offer, the tournament will showcase a complete entertainment experience including locally sourced cuisine, fine wine and cheese selections, interactive fan exhibitions, premier hospitality options, daily autograph signings, and of course, incredible tennis action.

Featuring a 28‐player singles draw as well as a 16‐team doubles draw the tournament will bring the best female tennis players in the world to the Bay Area and serves as the opening women’s event of the US Open Series.

With several different ticket options available, the Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic has something for everyone. To purchase tickets go to www.MubadalaSVC.com or call 1 (866) 982‐8497.