Good-Bye, So Long and Farewell

By J. Fred Sidhu
Who would have thought 24 years ago when two former tennis professionals ventured into San Diego to start a lower-level women’s tennis event that it would turn into one of the premiere tournaments on the women’s tour. Since the inaugural tournament in 1984, it has grown into a world-class event as fans have come from all across the world to watch the top female tennis professionals compete. Sadly, this is the last year for this wonderful event. Players and fans, who have made coming to the La Costa Resort and Spa a summer ritual, ask how such a great event could leave such a nice venue.

Sharapova Crowned 2007 Acura Classic Champion

Playing in the final Acura Classic singles championship, top-seed and defending champion Maria Sharapova of Russia overcame the loss of the second set to defeat Patty Schnyder of Switzerland, 6-2, 3-6, 6-0. Playing before a capacity crowd of 6,500 on Stadium Court at the La Costa Resort and Spa, Sharapova converted six of 10 break points as she took one hour and 54 minutes to win the championship. Sharapova improved her 2007 match record to 31-8 in capturing her first singles title of the year and the 16th singles title of her career. With Sunday’s victory, the Russian, who has beaten Schnyder five times in a row, leads the Swiss star 6-1 in career head-to-head meetings.

For Sunday’s results, click here.

Sharapova Captures 2007 Acura Classic Title

Playing before a capacity crowd on Stadium Court, top-seeded Maria Sharapova dropped a set in her championship match against 11th seeded Patty Schnyder, but finished strong for a 6-2, 3-6, 6-0, victory to win the 2007 Acura Classic. Sharapova, who defended the title she won last year, was awarded a check for $196,600 and an Acura MDX sports utility vehicle for her victory. Schnyder opened the match by holding serve for a 1-0 and took a 40-0 lead in the second game, but Sharapova fought off three break points and held to make the score 1-1. In the third game, Schnyder had a 40-0 lead but Sharapova using consistent ground strokes, came back to win five straight points for a 2-1 lead.

Acura Classic Benefit for Breast Cancer a Success

The Acura Classic Benefit for Breast Cancer raised $256,000 for the Scripps Polster Breast Care Center, bringing the annual event’s five-year total to over $1,750,000. The gala dinner and auction – underwritten by Acura – was hosted by San Diego radio personality Martha Barnette. Attendees bid on everything from tennis memorabilia signed by players in the tournament to tickets to sporting events, dinners, vacation trips and more. Defending champion Maria Sharapova came to help raise money, as well as former San Diego champions Jennifer Capriati and Conchita Martinez. At an on-court auction later in the evening, Capriati continued the fund-raising drive by helping to auction a life-sized cardboard image of herself from six years ago.

Black and Huber Victorious in Doubles Final

The top-seed team of Cara Black of Zimbabwe and American Liezel Huber captured the 2007 Acura Classic doubles championship as they defeated the unseeded team of Victoria Azarenka of Belarus and Russia’s Anna Chakvetadze, 7-5, 6-4. The victory marked the fourth career Acura Classic doubles title for Black, who is the number one doubles player in the world. She won her first Acura Classic doubles title in 2001 with Russian Elena Likhovtseva. Black also teamed with Rennae Stubbs of Australia to win the doubles titles in 2004 and 2006. This was the sixth title that Black and Huber won together in 2007. They played their first tour event together in Tokyo in 2001. Huber has now won 20 career tour doubles titles.