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Sunday, April 01, 2001

Ron Mercer's goals were twofold when he helped put together the Pittsburgh Pro Tennis Challenge: To serve up a high-profile event that will be the centerpiece of the district season, and to ace the star-studded field.

	Thanks to all the bowlers who have contributed to this column the past several months, but now it's time for tennis. The Post-Gazette will continue to publish bowling scores every Tuesday. This column will be devoted to tennis until the fall. The column is always looking for what's happening and who's making it happen. If you have news, call Phil Axelrod at 412-263-1103 or fax it to 412-263-1926.

Mercer will be one of the favorites in the $6,000 men's open singles tournament this weekend at Western Area YMCA located behind Robinson Town Centre.

The winner will earn $2,500 for the most lucrative payday in the district. The prize money has increased $1,500 from last year's inaugural tournament.

"The higher you raise the prize money, the farther away they'll come," said Mercer, who will focus on his game this week after spending most of his time with administrative duties as tournament chairman. Bob Schmitt is the tournament director.

"He'll be in charge of everything while I'm playing."

The top-seed will be Mark Silva of Philadelphia, who is ranked No. 1 in Middle States. Mercer is second and Young Minkwon of New Jersey is third. A top player from the area who could pull a surprise or two is Mt. Lebanon's Tom Mercer, Ron's old brother.

Silva has defeated Ron Mercer the past three times they've met.

"He's not a better player," said Mercer, 32, who lives in South Fayette. "I'm a tad better. The matches were on clay, which is not my best surface. He's a baseliner. This is fast hardcourt and I serve and volley. I have more confidence on this surface."

Last year's champion, Genero Deleone, won't defend his title because he's busy playing for the Dominican Republic Davis Cup team.

Although Mercer teaches full time at the YMCA, he finds the time to get into the weight room and also do some running.

"I'm playing the best I've ever played," he said. "I'm stronger and I'm mentally more mature. I concentrate better and I know when to go for the winner and when not to."

The tournament already is a winner at the Western Area YMCA, but Mercer would like to expand the support and interest beyond the club.

"We're trying to establish this tournament to promote tennis in the area, not just at the club," he said. "We need a tournament like this to kick off the season and get people to start thinking about tennis."

There will be bleacher seating for about 500 spectators. Tickets are $5. The tournament starts Friday night at 6:30 and continues Saturday afternoon and evening. The semifinals will be at 11 a.m. next Sunday and the championship following at 2 p.m.

"This is the best tournament in the city," Mercer said. "We want to make it even bigger."

Campus courts

The Penn State men's team extended its home winning streak against nonconference opponents to 57 consecutive matches with 7-0 victories against St. Francis and St. Bonaventure.

Junior Jamie Gresh led the Lions with two wins at No. 1 singles and teamed with Vili Nurmi and Matt Nielsen for two wins in No. 1 doubles.

Penn State (11-3) is ranked No. 66 by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association.

Pitt-Greensburg's men's team recorded its first win after three losses in its inauural season with an 8-1 victory against Lake Erie. George Klein, a freshman from Hempfield, and Ken Saksa, a senior from Uniontown, won at No. 1 and No. 2 singles. Pitt-Greensburg, coached by Mark Katarski, competes in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference.

Robert Morris swept Athlete of the Week honors in the Northeast Conference with Mamoun El Kettani named the top male and Nora Peters the top female. El Kettani, playing No. 2 singles, went 3-0 and Peters, playing No. 2, was 2-0.

The tournament trail

The Edgewood Tennis and Fitness Club captured the West Penn Junior Tennis Indoor league championship with an 18-6 victory against Greensburg Racquet Club.