Monday is officially the third day of the Family Circle Cup, now in its ninth year in Charleston, but it feels more like the start of the tournament. With qualifying rounds completed on Saturday and Sunday, the first round of competition will get under way this morning, and the day will be capped with a LaCoste Fashion Show in downtown Charleston on King Street at 6 p.m. The "draw" for the tournament bracket took place on Saturday when tennis professional Patty Schnyder joined tournament officials to draw names from the crystal trophy that is awarded to the tournament's champion - decided on Sunday, April 19th. At the "draw" students from the Win 4 Life program and the Leslie Allen tennis foundation helped to draw the names of the participants, and were later allowed to ask Mrs. Schnyder some questions. The swiss star was gracious in answering about her music likes (house and some rock and roll), her tennis preparation rituals (or lack thereof) and how these pros must be ready to play at all times - taking into account schedule delays of all sorts (from weather-related to injury-related). Each day at the Family Circle Cup will build the excitement for the weekend's competition with the quarterfinals set for Friday, and the seminfinals set for Saturday at 11 a.m. The doubles final will be at 11 a.m. on Sunday followed immediately by the singles final. ESPN2 will televise much of the tournament and further information can be found at www.familycirclecup.com.
Photos by Jeff Dennis: Patty Schnyder answering questions at the press conference on Saturday, qualifying matches taking place at the Althea Gibson court on Saturday, Schnyder allows youths to help in the "draw" on Saturday, Family Circle Tournament Manager Eleanor Adams and Family Circle Communications Manager Mike Saia enjoy seeing the "draw bracket" come to life for the 2009 tennis tournament
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