Life's a beach for pros

Big points are on the line as well as cash for the professionals coming to compete in the Third International Bermuda Beach Tennis Tournament.

The tournament will see around 40 pros descend on Horseshoe Beach on Friday, with Italians expected to dominate the event.

Tony Brannon, who co-founded the Bermuda event with Mark Cordeiro, said thanks to a partnership with the International Tennis Federation, the tournament is getting stronger. Brannon said that now it’s sanctioned as part of the ITF beach tennis calendar, pros will get a chance to earn points, which in turn will help lure more of the sport’s big name stars to Bermuda.

He said equipment sponsor Vision, is paying for 25 Italians to compete in Bermuda. The world’s top men’s team will be here as part of that group as well as two of the top women’s teams. In addition, the top Brazillian woman’s team are also signed up, making the women’s draw the toughest it’s been in the three-year history of the Bermuda tournament.

The prize total is $6,000.

On Saturday there will be a kid’s clinic from 9am until around 9:30am. At 10am the amateur local men and women’s event takes place until about 1pm and will be followed by a mixed doubles. The pro finals could play on Saturday at 2:30 and 4pm depending on whether Hurricane Danielle cooperates. The finals could play on Friday from 5pm.