Every point, game, set, and match was critical in Naples. Filled with ups and downs, the Outback Champion Series kicked off 2008 with the third annual Oliver Group Champions Cup in Naples, Florida from March 12-16th at The Players Club & Spa at Lely Resort. The stellar competition held at this beautiful facility was accompanied by great weather throughout the week and showcased both the competitive drive and talent of some of the best players in the world of professional tennis.
As a tribute to the great location and warm weather, many of the players brought their families to partake in the festivities. They were able to cheer on their fathers, enjoy the amenities of the resort, socialize in the Outback Champions Club with some of the player’s children participating on-court during the Kraft’s Kids Day.
The Oliver Group Champions Cup boasted a highly competitive field of talented American and Swedish players, all of whom created a lively atmosphere reminiscent of a Davis Cup match.
Todd Martin and Jim Courier kicked off Wednesday’s opener with wins over Anders Jarryd and Aaron Krickstein respectively. After a competitive first set, Martin closed out the match 7-6(5), 6-3. Following the match, Courier and Krickstein battled it out, each dominating with punishing groundstrokes. In the end, Courier prevailed winning 6-1, 3-6, 10-6(TB).
Competition continued on Thursday evening with tie-break victories for both John McEnroe and Mikael Pernfors. In an all Swedish battle, Pernfors utilized superb placement of serve to defeat Magnus Larsson in a nail-biting match, eking out a 7-6(8), 7-6(5) victory. Also playing Thursday evening was John McEnroe, who turned 49 earlier this year and showed no signs of his age, aptly defeating Jimmy Arias in a third-set champions tiebreaker 7-6(4), 2-6,10-6(TB).
The Friday afternoon session retained the intensity of earlier matches with Larsson defeating Arias 6-4, 6-4. Closing out the Friday afternoon matches, Krickstein, who began the event with a loss to Jim Courier, bounced back to defeat Martin 6-3, 6-7(1),10-3(TB) . Great tennis continued in the evening as Courier triumphed over Anders Jarryd 6-2, 7-5. In the Friday nightcap, McEnroe, fresh off a loss against Pernfors in their last encounter, was looking for revenge. McEnroe used the cheering crowds for additional motivation in avenging his prior loss and went on to defeat Pernfors 4-6, 6-3, 10-6(TB).
Spots for Sunday play were up for grabs heading into Saturday’s action in Group B as Krickstein defeated Jarryd 6-2, 7-5 while Martin topped Courier 6-4, 6-4. These results created a three way tie between Martin, Courier, and Krickstein for top billing in Group B. After calculating the percentage of sets won and lost, it was determined that Martin would proceed to the championship match while Courier's head-to- head win over Krickstein secured Courier a spot in the 3rd place match.
Saturday night was especially memorable as Arias combined savvy strategy with great shot placement to defeat Pernfors in an epic match, winning 2-6, 6-4, 13-11(TB) to achieve his first victory on the Outback Champions Series. To celebrate the special moment, Arias invited his son Spencer, an up-and-coming junior tennis player, onto Center Court to play a few points and share in the victory. Arias’ win created another three way tie between Larsson, Arias, and Pernfors for a spot in Sunday’s third place match. Based on a calculation of the percentage of sets won, Pernfors advanced to face Courier for 3rd place. McEnroe capped off the evening by defeating Larsson, but not without showing some classic McEnroe “attitude”. A private helicopter landed nearby prompting some humorous commentary from McEnroe but he held tough to win 6-3, 6-2 and secure his spot in the Championship Match versus Martin.
A fantastic week of tennis culminated on Sunday. Courier used both touch and powerful forehands to defeat Pernfors 6-2, 6-2 and clinch 3rd place. In the Championship Match, Martin, who finished 2007 with the number one spot in the Stanford Champions Rankings extended his winning ways by topping McEnroe 6-3, 6-1 for the 2008 Oliver Group Champions Cup title.
Thanks again to all of the tennis fans in Florida for continued support of The Oliver Group Champions Cup. Be sure to check back at
www.ChampionsSeriesTennis.com for 2008 event information, updates, ticket and hospitality packages and player perspectives.
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