Tommy Haas Joins James Blake for 2007 Delray Beach ITC
U.S. Open quarterfinalists Tommy Haas and James Blake, a pair of Florida residents who both reside among the top 15 ATP players in the world, will be among the stars to watch in the 2007 Delray Beach International Tennis Championships at the Delray Beach Stadium & Tennis Center. Last month the German-born Haas joined Blake in committing to play in the January 27-February 4 tournament, which is celebrating its 15th year.
Ticket packages for the 32-player ATP event, the first of 2007 in the U.S, are on sale and can be purchased by calling the Delray Beach ITC box office at 561-330-6000, on-line at www.YellowTennisBall.com or through Ticketmaster.
Haas defeated 2005 champion Xavier Malisse 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(5) last February to win the first of his three ATP titles this season. A 43-17 record has given him the fifth Top 20 finish of his career, and a continued remarkable comeback from a shoulder injury that sidelined him for the 2003 season.
“I’m very much looking forward to returning to Delray Beach,” said Haas, who has trained fulltime at the Bollettieri Academy in Bradenton since he was 13 years old. “In a lot of ways winning Delray Beach was key to the successes I’ve enjoyed in 2006.”
Blake, who beat No. 3 Ivan Ljubicic in the Bangkok final this month for his fourth ATP title of 2006, is 50-21 and ranked No. 6 in this season’s ATP Champions Race. He is in good position to secure his first-ever berth in the Tennis Master’s Cup that features year-end competition between the top eight players in the world.
With Haas’ ranking at No. 14, tournament director Mark Baron has a draw that could include a pair of world Top 10 players—a first for Delray Beach.
“With James and Tommy already committed to returning and potentially both being in the Top 10, we’re looking forward to what could be our best draw ever,” said Baron. “That possibility has us very excited as we continue to build on the successes of our last tournament.”
U.S. Open quarterfinalists Tommy Haas and James Blake, a pair of Florida residents who both reside among the top 15 ATP players in the world, will be among the stars to watch in the 2007 Delray Beach International Tennis Championships at the Delray Beach Stadium & Tennis Center. Last month the German-born Haas joined Blake in committing to play in the January 27-February 4 tournament, which is celebrating its 15th year.
Ticket packages for the 32-player ATP event, the first of 2007 in the U.S, are on sale and can be purchased by calling the Delray Beach ITC box office at 561-330-6000, on-line at www.YellowTennisBall.com or through Ticketmaster.
Haas defeated 2005 champion Xavier Malisse 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(5) last February to win the first of his three ATP titles this season. A 43-17 record has given him the fifth Top 20 finish of his career, and a continued remarkable comeback from a shoulder injury that sidelined him for the 2003 season.
“I’m very much looking forward to returning to Delray Beach,” said Haas, who has trained fulltime at the Bollettieri Academy in Bradenton since he was 13 years old. “In a lot of ways winning Delray Beach was key to the successes I’ve enjoyed in 2006.”
Blake, who beat No. 3 Ivan Ljubicic in the Bangkok final this month for his fourth ATP title of 2006, is 50-21 and ranked No. 6 in this season’s ATP Champions Race. He is in good position to secure his first-ever berth in the Tennis Master’s Cup that features year-end competition between the top eight players in the world.
With Haas’ ranking at No. 14, tournament director Mark Baron has a draw that could include a pair of world Top 10 players—a first for Delray Beach.
“With James and Tommy already committed to returning and potentially both being in the Top 10, we’re looking forward to what could be our best draw ever,” said Baron. “That possibility has us very excited as we continue to build on the successes of our last tournament.”