Alison Riske, Amanda Anisimova, Danielle Collins and Ajla Tomljanovic competed on a private court in the West Palm Beach, FL area on Friday and kicked off the UTR Pro Match Series, the first live women’s tennis tournament to be broadcast internationally since the coronavirus pandemic cancelled all regularly scheduled WTA events.
Even in the stripped-down environment with no ballkids, no spectators, no handshakes, and no line judges, with only one chair umpire overseeing the match, the level of competition was high.
Playing the fast-paced 3 Fast 4 set format, American world No.51 Danielle Collins (UTR 13.07) beat 28th-ranked compatriot Amanda Anisimova (UTR 13.04) 4-1 4-2, while in another battle of Top 60 players, Australian Ajla Tomljanovic (UTR 12.85) dispatched world No.19 Alison Riske (UTR 13.19) 4-3(4) 4-1. To wrap up Day 1 action, Riske recovered and defeated the 18-year-old Anisimova in a nail-biter by saving two match points to earn a 0-4 4-0 4-3(6) victory.
The UTR Pro Match Series results count globally via the Universal Tennis Rating (UTR).
PLAYER LINEUP
Alison Riske – 4th-ranked American, WTA #19, UTR 13.19 (#14)
Amanda Anisimova – 5th-ranked American, WTA #28, UTR 13.04 (#33)
Danielle Collins – 8th-ranked American, WTA #51, UTR 13.07 (#28)
Ajla Tomljanovic – 2nd-ranked Australian, WTA #56, UTR 12.85 (#68)
DAY 1 STANDINGS
Danielle Collins 1-0 (d. Anisimova)
Ajla Tomljanovic 1-0 (d. Riske)
Alison Riske 1-1 (d. Anisimova)
Amanda Anisimova 0-2
The UTR Pro Match Series Women’s Event broadcast continues live on Tennis Channel beginning at 12 noon ET Saturday May 23rd and Sunday May 24th for the finals and 3rd/4th place playoff.
SCHEDULE OF PLAY – SATURDAY, MAY 20th 12:00 PM ET
Alison Riske vs. Danielle Collins
Followed by Ajla Tomljanovic vs. Amanda Anisimova
Followed by Danielle Collins vs. Ajla Tomljanovic
