RICK LEACH/TRAVIS PARROTT AWARDED WALKOVER VICTORY AS MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS PULLS OUT WITH BACK INJURY

March 20, 2005

Karol Beck showed up at the Pro Tennis World Open final ready to play – and the backboard-consistency of Davide Sanguinetti eventually fell apart as Beck took the singles title in a clean 6-2 6-2 victory. After the match, 42-ranked Beck said he started the match feeling a little tired from playing two semi-final matches on Saturday – but dug deep to bring out some of his best shots, including a barrage of brutal backhand winners. With a string of tough matches behind him, Beck said he now feels ready to tackle the Nasdaq-100 Open with fresh confidence. Beck felt his toughest match of the week was his first-round encounter with Robby Ginepri, which he won 6-4 1-6 6-1. He also eliminated Jan-Michael Gambill and Igor Andreev before his final win over Sanguinetti.

In 2004, Beck won a personal-best 22 matches on the ATP circuit, and had his best year in the Grand Slams, reaching the 2nd round at Australian Open, 3rd round at Wimbledon and the 4th round at the US Open, all for the first time. After his first-time victory at Pro Tennis World Open, Beck said, “It’s a good win, important win. I hope to stay in the top 50, maybe even break into top 30 this year.”

Meanwhile Mark Philippoussis pulled out of the tournament after suffering a back injury in a doubles semi-final match played Saturday evening. The doubles trophy was awarded on Center Court to Rick Leach/Travis Parrott, who played a spirited exhibition match for the crowd against Tripp Phillips and Jaroslav Levinsky. Earlier in the tournament, Phillips had played with partner Ashley Fisher; and Levinsky had paired with Karol Beck. Philippoussis is entered in the Nasdaq-100 Open as a wild card but did not immediately indicate whether the injury would prevent him from playing.

The crowd of 2,500+ enjoyed a full afternoon of world-class tennis and near-perfect weather, all part of a successful second year of the Super Challenger - and its inaugural year at the Sunrise Tennis Club. We hope you’ll join us next year for the Pro Tennis World Open – the unique ATP hard-court event always scheduled between Indian Wells and Key Biscayne.

For more information please contact

Gabe Norona, Tournament Director
(954) 328-2283

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