After an unplanned year leave of absence, he Prince George Tennis Open is back on the city sporting calendar.
The two-day event starts today at 5 p.m. at the Prince George Tennis Club and, unlike in 2010, there are enough players to make a tournament.
"We didn't have this tournament last year due to low registration so we're happy we have enough to have it this year," said PGTC manager Stephanie Leong. "If only the weather will allow it."
That's a big 'if,' with rain expected today and Saturday, but Leong is hopeful the compressed schedule will build in enough time to allow for any rain delays.
Thirteen male players and one female are entered in men's singles play, which this year will be divided into A and B pools.
Chris Li, who won the City Championship a month ago, is the No. 1 seed, one of nine players competing in the A singles pool. Li can expect a tough match if he draws PGTC pro Andrej Vdovenko, the No. 2 seed. Vdovenko has been waiting for a rematch since he lost to Li in a three-set city final, June 13.
"Andrej is excited that we have an A pool and a B pool, it's good for the club," said Leong. "That way they get to play more people that are the same skill level. The B pool is a round robin, so everybody gets more tennis."
The A pool seedings are as follows: 1. Li; 2. Vdovenko; 3. Jon Lafontaine; 4. Kristian Kiland; 5. Matt Altizer; 6. Jim Condon; 7. Derek Bennett; 8. Tristan Pearce; 9. Les Obst.
The men's final is scheduled for Saturday at 9 a.m. The men's doubles starts at 11 a.m. Saturday, and the mixed doubles event gets underway at 2 p.m. Suzie Walker is the only woman entered in singles play and will compete in the B pool.
