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Lucky in Love & Tennis

SAN FRANCISCO — Three years ago Danny Reyes met his future wife while sitting in the stands watching the qualifying rounds of women’s professional tennis at the Bank of the West Classic. Fast forward to this Saturday, July 30, 2011, Danny — accompanied by his wife, now eight a half months pregnant — will be at the Classic once again, only this time Danny will be on the court facing one of the world’s top female tennis pros.

“I saw the sweepstakes on Facebook and thought….why not?” said Reyes. His entry in the Bank of the West Great Returns Sweepstakes on Bank of the West’s Facebook page won him the chance of a lifetime: a face-off with a tennis pro to return a 100 mph serve. Some of the fastest professional women’s tennis serves have been clocked in the 120 mph range.

Reyes remembers watching Marion Bartoli practicing three years ago when he met his wife. For sentimental reasons, he hopes to face off with Bartoli on the court. When asked what he’ll do to prepare for his big moment in front of thousands of spectators and on national TV, he replied, “I need to hit a little bit and have a chance to warm up. I don’t want to pull a muscle.”

WHAT

“Regular guy” and Redwood City, Calif. local Danny Reyes will face off with one of the world’s top female tennis pros. The player will be determined depending on which players advance through the rounds. The player field includes 13-time Grand Slam Champion Serena Williams, three-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova, 2011 Wimbledon semi-finalist Victoria Azarenka, 2011 French Open semi-finalist Marion Bartoli, former World No. 1 Ana Ivanovic and World No. 10 Samantha Stosur.

WHEN

Saturday, July 30, following the evening match that begins at 7 PM (conclusion of the match is undetermined as the players continue until the best of two out of three sets).

PHOTO OPPORTUNITY

Danny Reyes will be cheered on by his wife and stadium crowd as he takes to the court to attempt a return serve from one of the world’s top female tennis pros. To be followed by on-court handshake and photo op with a tennis pro and his wife.

WHERE

The Taube Family Tennis Stadium
Stanford University
625 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305
Media can check in at the Media Resource Center - Gate 2.

Posted on July 29, 2011
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