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Croatia's Mario Ancic Enters Campbell's Hall of Fame Tennis Championships

NEWPORT, RI — The International Tennis Hall of Fame today announced that ATP Pro Mario Ancic, currently ranked No. 17 in the world, has entered the 2007 Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships, scheduled for July 9-15. Played for the Van Alen Cup, the Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships is the first American tournament following Wimbledon and is played on the legendary grass courts of the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

The 6’5” Croatian will be making his second appearance in Newport, having received a wild card in 2002. Ancic turned pro in 2001, and has captured three singles championships, has been a finalist six times, and has 4 doubles titles. In Grand Slam events, Ancic reached the quarterfinal at both Roland Garros and Wimbledon in 2006, having also reached the semifinal at Wimbledon in 2004. His Wimbledon debut was in 2002 where he qualified and then in the first round on Center Court beat Roger Federer. Since losing to Ancic, Federer has not lost another match at Wimbledon.

In 2006, Ancic compiled his best tennis season with a career-high ranking of No. 7 in the world, earning more than $1 million in prize money, winning a career-high 55 matches and reaching the quarterfinals (or better) in a career-best 13 tournaments.

This year, Ancic reached the second round at Auckland, and then reached the fourth round at the Australian Open, where he was stopped by American Andy Roddick in a five set battle. Ancic is an eight year veteran of the Croatian Davis Cup Team with a 15-13 overall record (9-11 in singles; 6-2 in doubles) and was on the winning Cup team in 2005.

American Vince Spadea has also entered the Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships and will be making his sixth appearance on the legendary grass courts of the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Spadea, who last year released his book Break Point! : An Insider’s Look at the Pro Tennis Circuit, reached the Newport final in 2005, bowing to Greg Rusedski of Great Britain. Turning pro in 1993, Spadea has captured one singles title and three doubles titles. In 2006 he finished in the Top 100 ATP rankings for the 11th time in his 13-year career, highlighted by back-to-back semifinal showings at Delray Beach and San Jose.

In 2007, Spadea is currently ranked at No. 64, reaching the semifinal at Delray Beach and the quarterfinals at Adelaide, San Jose, Houston and Estoril.

Tickets for the Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships July 9-15 can be ordered online at tennisfame.com or by calling 866-914-FAME. Tickets for Saturday’s 2007 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and semifinal matches are sold out. For more information, call 866-914-FAME.

In conjunction with the Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships, the International Tennis Hall of Fame will hold its annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Saturday, July 14. The Class of 2007 will be represented by Pete Sampras, Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario, Sven Davidson and Russ Adams. For more information on the International Tennis Hall of Fame and Museum, call 401-849-3990.

Posted on May 23, 2007
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