Explorers draft rising singles stars Mike Russell and Milagros Sequera at WTT Roster Player Draft
Vemic, Peschke to return to lineup
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Mar. 31, 2009) --- The Kansas City Explorers finalized their 2009 team Tuesday at the Advanta World TeamTennis Pro League Roster Player Draft in Miami. The Explorers drafted Mike Russell (USA) and Milagros Sequera (VEN) with their first and third round picks.
Mike Russell is returning from injury, but quickly climbing the ATP rankings. Prior to injury he was ranked No. 60 in singles in 2007. He is fresh off a victory at the USA Futures in Texas and has a career total of 17 Challenger singles titles.
“We are ecstatic about Mike Russell joining the team,” said Explorers General Manager, Jeff Launius. “In our opinion, he was one of the strongest men in the draft. He has been playing extremely well since his comeback from injury, so we expect nothing but great things from him.”
With their third round selection, the Explorers drafted Milagros Sequera from Venezuela. Sequera, who was coming back from a neck injury, was ranked in the top 100 during 2007, with a career high singles ranking of No. 48. In 2008, she played for Venezuela in the Olympics and won the ITF Challenger in Allentown.
“She’s making an incredible comeback and with a few months before the start of our season, she’ll be ready for action this July,” said Explorers coach, Brent Haygarth.
The Explorers also protected top-ranking doubles players, Kveta Peschke of the Czech Republic and Dusan Vemic of Serbia. Kveta Peschke will return for her second season with the Explorers. Currently ranked No.9 in doubles, Peschke is a member of the Czech Republic Fed Cup team and recently won the New Haven Tour event with partner, Lisa Raymond (USA).
Dusan Vemic rounds out the 2009 Explorers team. Vemic will return for his third year with the Explorers. Since last season, Vemic advanced in several tournaments, including a trip to the 2008 French Open Semifinals and a win at the Calabasas Challenger in 2008. He is currently ranked in the top 50 in men’s doubles.
“The strongest quality of our team this season will be flexibility; each player is strong in both singles and doubles,” said Launius. “The team chemistry will be outstanding, so I have no doubt this will be an incredible season!”
The Explorers protected the Bryan Brothers, the world’s top-ranked men’s doubles team, earlier this year at the WTT Marquee Draft. The Bryans will play four matches for the Explorers, one at home on Saturday, July 18 against the Washington Kastles, and three on the road. This will be the fifth season the Bryan Brothers have played for the Explorers.
This season the team is looking to defend their Western Conference title and once again advance to the Finals. “The quality of play in the league this year is outstanding,” said Launius. “We’re just thrilled to bring this caliber of tennis to our venue. It will be an unbelievable season!”
The Explorers kick off their 2009 season at home on Thursday, July 2 against the New York Sportimes. All Explorers home matches are played at the M&I Bank Stadium, located on Barney Allis Plaza in downtown Kansas City. Matches are scheduled to begin at 7:35 p.m., except the match on Sunday, July 12, which will begin at 6:35 p.m.
Don’t miss a single serve of the 2009 Explorers Season! Season tickets are now available for $250/seat for box seats and $150/seat for grandstand seats. Individual tickets will go on sale May 20, 2009. Individual ticket prices range from $15 to $25. Call the Explorers office at (816) 513-5630 or visit the Explorers website, www.kcexplorers.com, for more information on the team and ticket sales.
2009 Kansas City Explorers Roster: Bob Bryan, Mike Bryan, Kveta Peschke, Mike Russell, Milagros Sequera, Dusan Vemic. Coach: Brent Haygarth
2009 Explorers Home Schedule
Thursday, July 2 New York Sportimes (7:35 p.m.)
Tuesday, July 7 Newport Beach Breakers
Friday, July 10 New York Buzz
Saturday, July 11 Boston Lobsters
Sunday, July 12 Springfield Lasers
Tuesday, July 14 Sacramento Capitals
Saturday, July 18 Washington Kastles, featuring Bryan Brothers (KC)
League Background
The Advanta World TeamTennis Pro League, co-founded by Billie Jean King, is a professional co-ed sports league featuring three generations of tennis stars playing in a team format. The 34th season of the Advanta WTT Pro League runs July 2-26, concluding with the Advanta WTT Championship Weekend where teams battle for the coveted King Trophy.
WTT is well known for introducing innovative elements to tennis including instant replay, co-ed format, multi-colored courts, cumulative and no-ad scoring, on-court coaching, Supertiebreakers and player names on back of their shirts.