By SDCN Editor
La Jolla, CA–Tournament officials announced that defending singles champions Henry Choi and Mariko Fritz-Krockow have been named top seeds for the United States Tennis Association National 40 Hard Court Championships scheduled for November 27 through December 3 at the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club in La Jolla.
Choi, the top men’s seed, is a 42-year-old resident of Vancouver, Canada. He is currently ranked No. 3 in the International Tennis Federation Singles 40+ Rankings. Choi defeated Wojtek Bratek of Panama City Beach, Fla., 6-1, 7-6 (5) in last year’s men’s singles final to win the title.
The 40-year-old Fritz-Krockow of Orinda, CA, the top women’s seed, is currently ranked a career-high No. 2 in the ITF Singles 40+ Rankings. She won last year’s women’s singles title after defeating Dina McBride of Thousand Oaks, CA, 6-0, 6-2 in the final. In the semifinals, Fritz-Krockow overcame five-time singles champion Hiromi Sasano of San Diego 6-3, 3-6, 6-2.
Choi received a first-round bye and will play his second-round match at 10:30 a.m. on November 28 against the winner of a first-round match between David Schneider of Briarcliff Manor, N.Y., and Henry Soong of Fremont, CA.
Fritz-Krockow also received a first-round bye. She will meet unseeded Sheila Rao of San Diego in her opening match at 10:30 a.m. on Nov. 29.
Also on the agenda is the USTA National Father and Son and Grandfather and Grandson Hard Court Doubles Championships beginning December 1, with matches concluding on December 3. The Father and Son championship has been held continuously at the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club since 1959 and attracts the top father and son tennis teams in the nation.
USTA Gold, Silver, and Bronze balls will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishers in all events.
Starting times for each day of the tournament are Nov. 27 at 10 a.m.; Nov. 28 through Nov. 30 at 9 a.m.; Dec. 1 at 8 a.m.; Dec. 2 and Dec. 3 at 9 a.m.
La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club welcome tennis spectators to the tournament with free admission. Onsite parking is available for a nominal fee. The tennis club is located at 2000 Spindrift Dr. in La Jolla.
