World-ranked netters to play in GITO

Some of the top, internationally-ranked players in Australia, Hawaii and the Asia-Pacific region will compete for cash and prizes in a new competition format at the 5th Annual Guam International Tennis Open at the Hilton Guam Resort & Spa tennis courts.

This year’s tournament, in preparation for the hosting of a professional-level tournament, will feature an invitational 16-Player Males Singles Challenge and an 8-Team Doubles Draw. The goal of the Guam International Tennis Open is to become a points-earning professional level tournament.

Confirmed players for the singles challenge include Thailand’s Danai Udomchoke, currently ranked No. 197 in the world. Just a little over a year ago, Udomchoke was ranked No. 77 in the world. Udomchoke played in all four tennis grand slam events in 2007, including advancing to the third round of the Australian Open before losing to champion Roger Federer in four sets. His doubles rank is No. 289 in the world.

Satoshi Iwabuchi, 2008 Japan Davis Cup team member and ranked No. 356 in the world as a singles player, also is confirmed to play in the tournament. His career high singles ranking was No. 223 in the world. His career high ranking for doubles is 125 in the world, set in September 2006, according to the ATP tennis website.

Iwabuchi has participated in all grand slam tournaments (Australian Open, Wimbledon, French Open, and U.S. Open) in both singles and doubles.

Another confirmed new face for this tournament is Ikaika Jobe from Hawaii, whose highest ranking in the world was 787, set in November of last year. In doubles, his current world ranking is 489, although he was ranked as high as 479 just last month. His doubles partner, Brad Lum-Tucker, also is confirmed to play in this year’s GITO.

Rounding out the 16 player singles draw are last year’s winner from Korea, Min Hyeok Cho, ranked 850 in the world, three of his compatriots also world-ranked and the top junior players from Australia. Top juniors from Australia include Andrew Gregory, Matt Klein and Marvin Barker, who have competed in the junior division of Grand Slam tournaments.

The 16-Player Males Singles Challenge and 8-Team Doubles Draw Invitational is scheduled to begin May 28.

Finals, for singles and doubles events, are scheduled for June 1. The invitational singles challenge will include other world ranked players from Australia, South Korea, Japan, and the Philippines.

Prior to the invitational portion of the tournament will be all age and skill divisions. This year, the GITO will feature two additional divisions—the 2.0 and the 5.0 division. This division will be added to the existing 3.0, 4.0, and 35+. The skill and age divisions will be played May 21 through May 25. Each division will feature five events—men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles and mixed doubles events. For 2008, players will compete for an $11,000 total prize purse.

All tournament matches will be played at the Hilton Guam Resort & Spa’s tennis courts under the direction of the Tennis Academy of Guam. The entry deadline for all divisions is May 15 with a $35 registration fee for two events. Entry forms in English and Japanese may be downloaded from the tournament website at www.guamopen.com.

Forms may also be requested by calling the Hilton marketing communications office at (671) 646-1820, ext. 5501. [B][I](PR)[/I][/B]