Tennis News

ACAPULCO, Mexico – Mexico’s Giuliana Olmos joined forces with WTA Charities at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel to give Acapulco kids the experience of a lifetime at the 24^th edition of AMT Kids Day by Nickelodeon.

Joined by ATP players Ernesto Escobedo, Hans Hach Verdugo and Cesar Ramirez and tennis coach Marc Lucero, the children had the chance to hit with their some of their national heroes at the mini-tennis clinics, as well as spend time with their favorite TV characters.

This year’s Kids Day hosted hundreds of children from the Teleton Center of Childhood Rehabilitation as well as Guerrero’s DIF, an organization that works with family developments in the area.

Olmos, Escobedo, Hach Verdugo and Ramirez were recognized by the tournament as “Agents of Change” for making a difference by being a positive example for the youth.

Check out some of the best photos from AMT Kids Day, right here!

WTA Charities is the WTA’s global philanthropic organization dedicated to making a positive impact across the globe. Our mission is to be a social responsibility vehicle built on the WTA’s values to empower and provide for a better future. We’re dedicated to combining, strengthening and enhancing the community and charitable efforts of the WTA through its members (players, alumnae and tournaments), along with our partners.

Click here to see more WTA Charities activities!

AUCKLAND, New Zealand – Julia Goerges powered through to the ASB Classic final on Friday, but the second semifinal – pitting Caroline Wozniacki against Sloane Stephens – was stopped due to rain.

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The first semifinal wrapped up before the skies opened, though Goerges did serve up a storm against Tamira Paszek – the German lost just six points in her first seven service games, eventually dropping serve mid-way through the second set but regrouping to close out the Austrian qualifier, 6-4, 6-2.

With the win, Goerges moves through to a WTA final for the first time in almost four years – her last WTA final came at Dubai in 2012 (falling to Agnieszka Radwanska). She’s 2-3 lifetime in WTA finals.

“I must say it feels very good to be in a final again after such a long time,” Goerges said. “But overall it was a very, very good match from my side – played very aggressively, served decently in the first set. Second set wasn’t a good first serve percentage, but it was a very, very good match from me.”

The former World No.15 will have to wait until Saturday morning to find out her opponent in the final, though, as the second semifinal – pitting No.3 seed Wozniacki against No.5 seed Stephens – was cancelled for the day due to rain. Stephens had opened up a 5-2 lead when the rain started to fall.

Here’s a taste of what Stephens was bringing to the table, courtesy of the WTA Twitter account:

Passingggg Shot! #WTA pic.twitter.com/QNEXyIkTC2

— WTA (@WTA) January 8, 2016

Sloane in the zone!

@SloaneStephens hitting all the shots right now. #WTA pic.twitter.com/G1YfcgwEWy

— WTA (@WTA) January 8, 2016